Thru hull near rivet line on a tinny

[Splat]

I'm redoing my 16' Grumman tinny, and adding a freshwater livewell. I need to add a thru-hull for the drain, and I want to add it close to the LW rather than run it all the way back to the transom. The less pressured hose in the boat to fail the better.

Ideally I would like to install it on the gunwale, but in order to get it low enough to drain properly, I would have to install it right near the rivet line, see pic. I'm worried about drilling a hole that close to the rivets, and possible integrety problems like cracking. What you guys think.


Alternatively the next best place is in the bottom. My only real problem there is this is a skinny water fishing boat, and there's more of a chance of grounding against it, or possible damage.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Thru hull near rivet line on a tinny

I'd have no problem with the gunwale install near the seam.
As long as you are only going thru one layer of aluminum, and the fitting sits flush with the surface on inside and out.

Seal it up good with some 3m 4200.