1st time owner, long time fisherman

[cheffer2]

So I don't want to sound like an idiot but I know I will any way so here it goes.

I bought a starcraft super sport off craigslist (so i can't find the manual or an official info on the boat) late 1970's model. Boats in good condition but there's a whole in the back kind of by the motor, about prop height/ 1in diameter/ about the size of a qaurter. Now its a machine/manufacturer made whole and when I towed/elevate the boat rain water pours out of it. Is that the drain plug whole? and should it remain plugged if it is? (Theres no plug currently) I just don't know if that is like a run off hole or buoyancy mechanism (because I dont know if the whole leads to a compartment or would just fill up the whole hull)? I just didn't want to ride funny, or worse sink 5 mins after I put it on the water. Sorry for being ignorant, but I've searched online for a few nights and can't find anything. Thanks

 

[Bob Gilvary]

Re: 1st time owner, long time fisherman

It's a drain hole for the bilge. Get a plug for it, standard size for all boats, unless it's the brass screw in type. The boat will sink if you don't, when you put it in the water.
Keep the plug out, and boat elevated when it's out of the water.

 

[Daltonxj]

Re: 1st time owner, long time fisherman

You have found the right place! no need to look any further. Starcraft's are here..... post some pics. We love pics.. I never knew anything aout a boat until I bought my Starcraft.. Found this site and these guys are a great bunch a guys and did i mention they love pics of starcraft boats....
Check these links out.

Starcraft's restored or being restored
Starcraft brochures

 

[TheWrks]

Re: 1st time owner, long time fisherman

It's a drain hole for the bilge. Get a plug for it, standard size for all boats, unless it's the brass screw in type. The boat will sink if you don't, when you put it in the water.
Keep the plug out, and boat elevated when it's out of the water.

http://www.iboats.com/Attwood-Drain-Plugs/dm/*******.918011477--**********.870397793--view_id.685763

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: 1st time owner, long time fisherman

Ask as many questions as you need. There are various levels of boatman-ship here. Outright newbies to seasoned veterans. The veterans smell like a combo of gluvit and wet foam so keep your distance from them.

There's a bunch of friendly people here that really like to help each other out. We look forward to watching your progress.

 

[heyyou325]

Re: 1st time owner, long time fisherman

Can you get to the hole from the inside. For people who mess up as much as I do It's good to know when your out in the middle and you remember you didn't put the plug in, as you now have 6" of water over the deck, Put the motor up on plane and it will suck the water out. Then you can put the plug in from the inside and go back to fishin. I haven't done this myself, but have been with a person who did, and knew several old time fisherman in the 60's and 70's who claim to have done this and swear by it. It does work.

 

[GLG fishing]

Re: 1st time owner, long time fisherman

Yup I heard that you can get up on plane and drain water out the back. BUT you don?t want to go there. You might have too much water in your boat to get up on plane. Been there done that. What you need to do is develop a procedure when you launch your boat. It depends on the size of the boat and what gear you have on it. It starts in the parking lot in the launch line up when you arrive. Here is one that should get you started.

Put plug in bilge.
Unhook safety on motor leg
Pump up fuel line bulb
Take safety straps off boat and put them in truck
Back boat up in to the water at launch depth.
Attach bowline and unhook safety chain and winch line.
Launch boat and tie off on dock.
Park the trailer.
Lower motor, start and warm-up.
Untie boat and go fishing.

I know this is a simple checklist but you get the idea. The trick is to do some basic things in the same order every time you launch your boat. If you do it that way you will get to a point where it is second nature and when guys at the dock interrupt you it is easy to keep on track. You may need to add steps for your needs, like gear and bumpers. On my ramp we have a lineup and I do a walk around and check things out while I am waiting. It?s not a bad idea to double-check the plug. Try to pick a time when no one is launching their boats and make a list of the steps you need. Once you have done it a few times you will be able to launch at the busy times and will look like a pro.

As for those old guys, yea that was standard procedure back then as they were drunk by the time they got to the fishing lake. Heck they didn?t even have electric bilge pumps back then. Things change and mostly it?s for the better. We have improved procedures since then and there is no need to put the plug in from the front.


GLG

 

[airshot]

Re: 1st time owner, long time fisherman

GLG fishing has a great checklist, however I would like to add one thing.....after step four add the following....check drain plug install from step one....then go back the boat into the water !! I always give an extra check on that drain plug.....go ahead, you can ask me why? Yea...been there done that!!

Airshot

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: 1st time owner, long time fisherman

always keep a couple spare plugs on board..
I have drove to the ramp before, only to remember I had the plug resting on the trailer fender as I pulled outta my driveway.

 

[heyyou325]

Re: 1st time owner, long time fisherman

With an outboard, we all make mistakes, and if you get into the water before you notice, put it in inside, if there isn't too much water. Probably sort of hard to load on the trailer with 12" of water in. We all don't have bilge pumps, I know my 61 doesn't. I've been lucky and not forgot, but a lot of experienced boaters have. If you are in the lake planing is the fasted way to get it out. I've had several people in Marinas verify that. But it does make sense to put the plug in til you get a plane. If you can't, let's hope you're close. Some of the old timers had some good ideas.

 

[Daltonxj]

Re: 1st time owner, long time fisherman

yep my niebor did that he left one day for the lake.. I was out working on mine and seen it fall off so went and picked it up out of the street.. tried to call him but he wouldn't answer. when he got home on sunday I ask him he he was missing anything when he got to the lake. he said yep after his boat had almost sunk.. so I handed him his plug.. he laughed..

he said he put it in before he left so he wouldn't forget to at the lake... he said that will never happen again.. so now he does a check before he launches the boat...

 

[barato2]

Re: 1st time owner, long time fisherman

i note that the plug handle has a handy LOOP in it. might it be a good idea to tether it to your splashwell with some 65# spectra or some coated leader wire so it never gets more than 1' away from the hole? or maybe hang it on the steering wheel so you can't forget to put it in?