Brass Drain Tube Installation

[Old No7]

Of course there are different ways of doing things. My point is not that simply flaring the tube to the transom with some sealant is a bad idea, but that there is nothing wrong with using an O-ring too, and there may be benefits of doing so.

I spoke (well OK, we texted) with my 3 brothers again, and one benefit of using the o-ring is you won't have to wait for the 3M 5200 to fully cure before forming the flare. Any 5200 inside the hole will cure as-is anyhow.  So in a boatyard or shop -- or on the Boston Whaler production line -- that is a definite advantage.

If someone installed the tube with 5200 and then immediately formed the flare, without allowing time for the 5200 to fully cure, they risk squeezing all the bedding out.

Thanks for your contributions to this discussion.

Old No7

[Nanserbe]

Popped mine out in about 5-10 minutes.

Mine was missing the outside end but was otherwise in good shape and starting to get brittle.

Transom on mine was bone dry but I am letting it air out over the weekend anyhow while the tool and tube are being shipped.

[Tom C]

For cleaning up in the inside of the hole I use a 1" abrasive flap wheel chucked into a cordless. Makes quick work of it.

E.g.:

[disposable]

A few of us have left those^ in the traveling kit with the flaring tool. They only last a couple uses but...