Tricks/tips for through hull cleaning

[PeterK]

Looking for any help in clearing an AC through hull from inside the boat. My diver is trying to get here today but I'm not sure he will get here until tomorrow.

The flow is about 20% of what it should be and my pump is laboring as a result.

On our boat, the strainer is horizontally mounted so it is a right angle to get to the through hull. Coat hanger did nothing and I can't get a screw driver in far enough to clear the barnacles.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

[MVCaprice]

Are you sure its the through hull? Does the valve close?

[PeterK]

Opens and closes fine. When the valve and strainer open, a fraction of the normal flow. The though hull is less than a foot from the centerline and almost 5' below the waterline. When clear, a gusher comes out!

[skater]

Did you try a flexible plumbers fish/snake?

[captainwjm]

Try blowing it out with shore water hose. That works if blockage is due to grass on outside strainer.

[Fish Tales]

On my 45, my ac sea strainer was right below the engine room light. I always left that light on for safety. Thus became an energy source for marine growth. What I did was go to Walmart and purchase a cheap gun cleaning kit. There are several size copper round brushed that will fit the through hull perfectly. Usually 12 guage. You have to bend the rod a little to go in at the right angle, but it is a cheap kit.

I closed the through hull valve, removed the lid and strainer basket, prepared my rod for plunging, (sounds dirty), opened the valve and started scrubbing. You will get some water in the boat, not that much, and all of the debri scraped out.

When finished, shop vac out the water and debri, and save the rod and brush for next time. ( don't forget to close the valve) . The rod is aluminum and the brush is copper. On larger through hulls, I have doubled and trippled the brushes to get the size I need.

Have a great week,
Tim