[C320-list] Marelon Seacock and Thruhull Fitting

[Dave Hupe]

 Just a heads up (wait.....the pun is coming) for anyone who may encounter this same situation....
The thruhull for my head freshwater intake seeped last season.  So, I decided to remove/replace it with a new fitting before launching this year. The seacock was still fine. This seemed simple......just order a flush mount Marelon fitting for a 3/4" seacock/valve.    Defender (as well as many other suppliers) seemed to have this fitting on sale just recently for only about $12 .
The problem.......the new available fitting doesn't fit.  The threads (finer) are not the same as the original.  Also, the outer diameter of the flush fitting where it sets into my hull is 1 3/4" on my original fitting; however, the replacement fitting available has an outer diameter of about 2 1/2".  This 1 3/4" thruhull size is needed for essentially all my thruhulls.
My subsequent investigations (talking with several local marine parts suppliers, etc.) revealed that we CANNOT order only replacement thruhull fittings.  We must order a new thruhull and the seacock together.  This assembly can be ordered from Catalina Direct (or from Catalina Yachts) .  It is part # Z3747 from Catalina Direct:https://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm/product/3517_1291/seacock-34-flush-90-degree-hose-barb.cfm
So, regrettably, the cost jumped from $12 to +$100. 
Dave Hupe
1994 Cat320 (hull #32)
Holland, MI