Almost sank my boat

[gfbiii51]

I thought I had finished the random loose ends on my boat. Replaced the bilge pump; wired a couple of new gauges, installed a horn; wired a restored spotlight; tinkered with the trailer.

Wife and I went for a short cruise to check things out. We had a nice ride. Everything worked just fine. I ran the bilge pump a few times and nothing came out. I'll generally drain a little from the plug after using the boat so I was not surprised the pump didn't pick anything up. I dropped down to no wake approaching the dock and ramp and turned the pump on again. It started pumping and again I was not surprised. But it kept going and kept going. I thought maybe it was leaking more than I thought.

Got to the dock and the ramp was tied up with a guy trying to start an old Rude. I straightened things up, gathered the cushions, put the jackets back in the bag, covered the bimini top. Pump was still putting out water which I thought was a little weird. Went to get the truck and the guys in the other boat helped my wife move our boat to the ramp side of the dock. Pump was still producing a full stream of water. WTF???

Pulled the boat. It seemed a little heavy but I'm new to this, right. Pump was still working. Got the boat out and saw why. Da** plug was just gone! 'Splains a lot!

Who knows when it decided to leave. It was this type of plug:

I tugged on it when I put it in and it was secure. Maybe I hit something that knocked it loose. Who knows??? Last time I'll use that type of plug.

Looked at the boat when I got home. Had styrofoam balls all the way up to the consoles. The top of the gas tank was wet. And it was still draining. Thank goodness I replaced the bilge pump today. At least it took care of half the water the open plug was letting in.

I've discarded all of that type of plug and will use the type you screw tighten in the future.

 

[boatnut74]

Re: Almost sank my boat

Atleast nothing was damaged. Im not fond of those type of plugs either.

 

[chuckndiscs]

Re: Almost sank my boat

I thought I had finished the random loose ends on my boat. Replaced the bilge pump; wired a couple of new gauges, installed a horn; wired a restored spotlight; tinkered with the trailer.

Wife and I went for a short cruise to check things out. We had a nice ride. Everything worked just fine. I ran the bilge pump a few times and nothing came out. I'll generally drain a little from the plug after using the boat so I was not surprised the pump didn't pick anything up. I dropped down to no wake approaching the dock and ramp and turned the pump on again. It started pumping and again I was not surprised. But it kept going and kept going. I thought maybe it was leaking more than I thought.

Got to the dock and the ramp was tied up with a guy trying to start an old Rude. I straightened things up, gathered the cushions, put the jackets back in the bag, covered the bimini top. Pump was still putting out water which I thought was a little weird. Went to get the truck and the guys in the other boat helped my wife move our boat to the ramp side of the dock. Pump was still producing a full stream of water. WTF???

Pulled the boat. It seemed a little heavy but I'm new to this, right. Pump was still working. Got the boat out and saw why. Da** plug was just gone! 'Splains a lot!

Who knows when it decided to leave. It was this type of plug:

I tugged on it when I put it in and it was secure. Maybe I hit something that knocked it loose. Who knows??? Last time I'll use that type of plug.

Looked at the boat when I got home. Had styrofoam balls all the way up to the consoles. The top of the gas tank was wet. And it was still draining. Thank goodness I replaced the bilge pump today. At least it took care of half the water the open plug was letting in.

I've discarded all of that type of plug and will use the type you screw tighten in the future.

Don't wan't to seem forward but my plug, same type, goes on the inside of the boat into the drain hole. Did you put yours on the outside of the boat in the drain hole?

 

[horiconducker]

Re: Almost sank my boat

I see lots of people at the ramp that put plugs in from the outside, but i personally ONLY put a expanding plug in from the inside of the boat, sometimes a little more difficult to get them out down on hands and knees reaching around things, but i know i will never lose it.

 

[gfbiii51]

Re: Almost sank my boat

Yeah, I put my plug in from the outside. With the 18 gal gas tank and the way the bilge is cut, I'm not sure I could even get it in from the inside. I'd have to lie down on my stomach. I'm just not that flexible any more. And if I did, it would be difficult to remove after each use. I figure it is better to have the plug on the outside and drain the boat thoroughly and accept the remote chance the plug comes out underway. I believe this even after yesterday's experience. I naively bought a rotten glasser that had been kept inside it's entire life. It looked pristine. I figure it rotted because the bilge never dried. I want my boat as dry as possible.

Thanks for the responses. This will start me to thinking. There may always be a better way.

 

[starcrafter65]

Re: Almost sank my boat

Someone needs to write a blues song on this subject!!!

Those style plugs wear out quickly as - I use the screw type and being an I/O - it goes on the outside....

I am not sure why it would be illegal to have it on when you are on a trailer....