Anyone ever install rod tubes in Jon boat benches?

[Hooknhorns]

Has anyone ever installed these in their benches of there Jon boat? I do a lot of plumbing and I believe I could use 1.5” tail pieces. Are benches hollow on an alumacraft 1648?!?

 

[jethro]

Benches are almost always filled with closed cell foam.

 

[-CN-]

The benches are likely filled with foam.
I've installed them. I went through the front bench deck. 1-7/8" hole saw was perfect cut for 1-1/2" PVC.
Your bench likely has foam in it, but you should be able to cut into it with a hole saw and then cut away enough material with a knife to get the pipe in there.

 

[DaleH]

... you should be able to cut into it with a hole saw and then cut away enough material with a knife to get the pipe in there.

I needed to go into the foam a good foot or more, so I took an aluminum pipe of diameter for the plastic tubes to be used. I put an edge on the pipe by cutting away the ID of the pipe to form a sharp edge and just pushed & twisted the pipe through the foam to make the needed hole. Wetting the pipe by dipping it into a bucket of water helped it cut smoothly. Removed pipe and starting snapping off the cored piece, if it didn't fully remove the core. Works slick.

 

[Hooknhorns]

I sure appreciate y’alls input!!

 

[onthewater102]

Once you get through the aluminum you can just get a spade bit and a shop-vac if you don't want to be getting fancy. Keep the shop vac going while you drill or you'll be cleaning up little foam pellets forever.