Bonding Thru-Hulls

L

LBDboater

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Joined
Nov 22, 2004
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15780
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127
I have a technical question for everyone. We are in the final throws of re-wiring a 1966 wood hull Chris Craft (40 ft) that sank around 20 years ago. Been quite the project to say the least. Currently, we do not have any of the thru-hulls bonded for corrosion protection. What is the best way to bond all of those? Do we bond them via a ground bus bar and tie that into the shore power system? Do we need to ground them to the batteries?

I also need to figure out the most effective way of grounding the engine blocks. How would everyone recommend we go about doing that?
 
Two schools of thought on bonding. Bond everything together, or leave everything un-bonded.

If you are going to bond everything together I would run wires to a common bonding ground plate and the engine.
 
If you have 2 engines make sure to bond them to each other.
 
As said above, two schools of thought. My boat happens to be bonded and connected to a thru bolt which has a zinc hull plate with copper wire embedded to attach it to the bolt. The hull plate has to be drilled then screwed into the hull. For more answers to your question check out the woodenboat forum at http://forumdotwoodenboatdotcom/
 
Like Capt. Bill said two schools of thought. I have a wood boat that is approaching 65 years of service and the through-hulls have never been bonded together. About 10 years ago we renewed all the through-hulls (original)and found very little or no wastage due to electrolytic action. IF you choose to bond (I would not recommend) terminate at the engine blocks.

This document discusses Bonding Systems on wooded boats and has more good information for the wooden boat owner.

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/nvic/pdf/1995/n7-95.pdf
 
Anothrt choice is to use Marelon thru hulls and valves. No need to bond them.
 
I used to have a wood Egg Harbor. First year I had it, it developed a bad leak. Took it to a local boatyard and after a large chuck of money exchanged hands, I got it back.
One thing the yard owner told me, never have a bonding system in a wood boat.
 
Just wanted to come back and thank everyone... Sorry for the delay. I read what everyone had to say plus some online research of my own, and the deterioration of wood kept coming up so for the time being, we have taken the approach of not bonding any of them. This has been a major project and I don't want to compromise the hull in any way considering the amount of work that has previously been invested restoring it. Thanks again for the quick and informed responses!
 
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