sbu22
Guru
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2011
- Messages
- 1,253
- Location
- US
- Vessel Name
- Panache
- Vessel Make
- Viking 43 Double Cabin '76
I’m finally getting around to installing DC plugs at each of my through-hull fittings. The intention is to wire the appropriate size plug to each through-hull for easy access if/when an emergency arises.
Having spent years in the USN, attending multiple classes and simulators, I’ve practiced with plugs and wedges a bunch – all with steel hulls and monel/bronze/ and who knows what else as the base material. The questions that follow are all in the context of a fairly typical F/G rec boat.
Question 1 – what is the correct size for the plug versus the inner diameter of the fitting? The plugs all have a taper. So, for the sake of discussion, what’s correct for a ¾” id fitting? ½” to 1”? Is there a “rule of thumb”?
Question 2 - There are DC plugs offered in soft wood, redwood, closed cell foam, etc., etc. Is there an optimum material?
Question 3 – When employing a DC plug, do I want a 5# hammer or a rubber mallet? Or, something else? Imagine the correct answer goes back to material of the element being plugged.
It took me a while, but I finally figured out that the contents of the good old USN DC tool roll may not be the best application for a rec boat.
As always, the TF input is greatly appreciated.
Having spent years in the USN, attending multiple classes and simulators, I’ve practiced with plugs and wedges a bunch – all with steel hulls and monel/bronze/ and who knows what else as the base material. The questions that follow are all in the context of a fairly typical F/G rec boat.
Question 1 – what is the correct size for the plug versus the inner diameter of the fitting? The plugs all have a taper. So, for the sake of discussion, what’s correct for a ¾” id fitting? ½” to 1”? Is there a “rule of thumb”?
Question 2 - There are DC plugs offered in soft wood, redwood, closed cell foam, etc., etc. Is there an optimum material?
Question 3 – When employing a DC plug, do I want a 5# hammer or a rubber mallet? Or, something else? Imagine the correct answer goes back to material of the element being plugged.
It took me a while, but I finally figured out that the contents of the good old USN DC tool roll may not be the best application for a rec boat.
As always, the TF input is greatly appreciated.