---

Garris I would say it would be hard to determine the life span of a brass drain. I have one in my 13 footer that was installed 20+ years ago and the metal looks as good as the day it was installed. The O rings have seen better days. But that boat mainly lives in a boathouse and when it does see water, usually its fresh.

Another factor would be the various cleaners that we use on our boats. That stuff probably eats at the metal more than anything.

So it will probably be one of those things you just inspect every year and if your gut tells you to replace it, replace it.

Out of curiosity and slightly off topic--don't want to hijack the thread but does anyone know if the modern Whalers have the exposed foam just behind the thru-hulls? Did they protect the foam behind a thin layer of fiberglass or was that design trashed years ago?