NO MORE HOLES In Our Boat - Eliminating ALL Through-Hulls

Summary

In this video, the creators tackle extensive boat renovations, focusing on removing old through-hull holes to improve safety and prepare the vessel for overwintering in icy conditions. They carefully clean, cut, and prep the hull for welding, replacing traditional under-waterline valves with a safer standpipe system that keeps seawater intakes above the waterline. This system simplifies maintenance, prevents freezing issues, and centralizes raw water distribution for the engine and galley. The video also highlights technical challenges with older fittings, the meticulous welding process, and concludes with an announcement of eco-friendly boat-themed T-shirts and stickers now available for fans.

Takeaways

• 🛥️ The video documents a boat renovation focused on removing old through-hull fittings and creating a safer, ice-proof system.
• 🔧 Many of the existing through-hull valves and backing plates were difficult to remove and required grinding or chipping.
• 🔥 Proper preparation and cleaning of aluminum surfaces is crucial for welding to avoid impurities.
• 💡 The goal is to reduce the number of through-hull fittings to zero, except for essential seawater intakes for the engine and galley.
• 🌊 A standpipe system is implemented to bring seawater above the waterline, minimizing the risk of freezing and valve failure.
• ⚙️ Advantages of the standpipe system include easier maintenance, no underwater valves, and a centralized seawater intake location.
• ❌ Potential drawbacks of the standpipe system include complexity if multiple seawater intakes are needed, but it suits their simple setup.
• 🧰 The angle and placement of the standpipe were chosen to avoid structural obstacles and ensure proper priming of the engine's raw water system.
• 🎨 Toward the end, the video also announces new Alluring Arctic merchandise, including t-shirts, hoodies, and stickers made from organic or recycled materials.
• 📦 The merchandise is print-on-demand and shipped from either Europe or America, depending on the buyer's location.

Q & A

What was the main goal of the boat project described in the video?

The main goal was to remove all through-hull holes from the boat to improve safety, prevent water ingress, and make it suitable for overwintering in ice.

Why did the boat have so many through-hull holes originally?

The previous owner added holes over time for various purposes such as air conditioning, sea water-cooled refrigeration, and other systems, resulting in around eight or nine holes under the water line.

What are the risks of having through-hull valves under the water line during winter?

If these valves freeze, they may fail or burst, potentially causing significant water ingress into the boat, which is dangerous for safety.

What challenges did the team face when preparing the through-hull holes for welding?

They had to remove pipes, valves, and backing plates. Some backing plates were extremely difficult to remove and required chipping or grinding into tiny pieces. Additionally, reaching the holes required careful maneuvering due to interior cabinetry.

How did the team clean and prepare the holes for aluminum welding?

They cleaned the areas thoroughly to remove impurities, ensuring the aluminum surfaces were ready for proper welding, using angle grinders and other tools carefully.

What is a standpipe system and why was it chosen for the seawater intake?

A standpipe system involves welding a thick aluminum pipe to the hull that rises above the waterline, with a seawater strainer on top. It was chosen to eliminate underwater valves, reduce maintenance issues, and prevent freezing during winter.

What are the main advantages of using a standpipe system?

Advantages include no underwater valves, easy clearing of blockages from above the waterline, no external strainers prone to marine growth, and a central location for raw water intake.

What are the potential drawbacks of the standpipe system?

The main drawback is that if multiple seawater intakes are needed around the boat, it can lead to complex hose routing. Additionally, some people worry about engine priming with the strainer above the waterline, although it usually works fine with a functional impeller pump.

How did the placement and angle of the standpipe affect the boat design?

The standpipe had to be placed as far below the waterline as possible to avoid air intake, but its aft location and angled position were chosen to allow clear pathways inside the boat and avoid obstructing other systems or cabinetry.

What new merchandise did the team announce at the end of the video?

They announced the Alluring Arctic t-shirts, including organic t-shirts and recycled material options, as well as stickers. There are two designs available: a retro postcard-style rectangular design and a darker colored non-rectangular design.

Why was welding preferred over keeping the old through-hull valves?

Welding eliminated underwater valves that could fail, prevented potential leaks, ensured durability, and created a system suitable for freezing conditions and safer long-term use.

How did the team handle particularly difficult through-hull valve removals?

For valves that could not be removed with a wrench, they used an angle grinder to cut them off, and for stubborn backing plates, they chipped or ground them into dust to prepare the hull for welding.