Tool for opening inspection ports?

[Doryman]

Some of the many round, screw-in inspection ports in my boat either require me to use my hand a very awkward angle, or are very stiff (do not unscrew easily) or both. I strained my wrist and thumb on Lake Powell trying to get the port to the washdown pump valve open. I need some kind of tool to use but have not found anything made for that purpose. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Warren

[Sea Wolf]

Warren-

I've had a lot of fun with those screw in inspection ports in small sailboats!

When one gets really stuck, you need a small hammer and a short piece of wood, like a dowel, to urge it to unscrew.

Using a silicone lubricant, like Super-Lube, will keep them from getting too dry and tightly screwed in to remove.

What you need to take the load off your thumbs and fingers is a spanner tool to fit the depressions.



Get two 1/2" 90 degree PVC plastic sprinkler pipe elbows and a short piece of tube. Cut the tube length so that the two elbows will fit snugly down into the depressions in the inspection port covers, then glue the tube to the elbows.

You can drill a hole or two in the set up to attach a small line to hang the tool up somewhere convenient. Filling the tubes with closed cell foam will make it float if dropped overboard. A spiral wrap of brightly colored tape on the center tube part will make it easier to find in the water.

Joe.

[thataway]

On sailboats we had bronze inspection ports--very similar. I took an 18" piece of SS stock--about 3/16 thick, one inch wide, and drilled, tapped for the appropiate size screw which fit into the holes (I think it was a #10)--lock nuted these screws spaced so that they matched the holes, and there was no longer any problem opening the ports. A similar arrangement can be made for the plastic ports.

[C-Hawk]

I used a pair of slip joint pliers to open mine the first time. The lid was "glued" on with the expansion foam that is in the v-berth. Now it opens easily by hand- as it should.