Aniother thing for the launch check list.

[Lager]

This is my first I/O and my first test drive after a cold winter.
On the way to the ramp, I told the Wife to remind me to put the plug in before we tossed it into the water.
She forgot to do that, but I didnt.
Anyways, we are zipping around the lake for about 20 minutes. The new boat( to us) is running fine, but it seems to be getting sluggish getting out of the hole after we run it a bit. I chop the throttle one time and got water on my foot coming from the ski locker area in the floor.
I then realize we are taking on water, I remember putting the plug in and I angle it towards shore.
Thought flashed tru my little brain, I pulled back the engine cover and found that I forgot to tighten the engine block and manifold drains.All that time we were running, I was just filling the boat with water.
Dont do that !
The automatic feature on the bilge pump dosent work too good either come to find out, but who ever checks that?
Just another thing to add to your preflight check list.

 

[79Renken]

Re: Aniother thing for the launch check list.

You bet! Good advice. My first run in the Spring I often find a little dribble from one of the engine drains that were open for Winter.

Always important to check this!

 

[Alumarine]

Re: Aniother thing for the launch check list.

Once you drain the water you can put the plugs back in.
Same goes with any hoses you might disconnect and drain.

 

[Lager]

Re: Aniother thing for the launch check list.

Good advice Marc C, I should have done that instead of leaving them open.

 

[Buh-Bye]

Re: Aniother thing for the launch check list.

I usually start on muffs in the driveway before going to the lake. Rather know then that I have a problem then find out on the water. That would be a good idea at the start of the season as well.

At least you caught it in time, or I assume you did?!?

 

[tomdinwv]

Re: Aniother thing for the launch check list.

I had one of those little blue plastic plugs crack and fall apart while under way once. Noticed boat was sluggish and wouldn't come up on plane. I was only a couple hundred yards from launch and heading in anyways. Bilge was FULL. LOL. Before I pulled boat out, I opened the engine cover with it idling and saw the problem. What a relief it wasn't something worse. Replaced all the drain plugs on the engine the next day and picked up enough to do it again, and left them in the boat. Not a bad idea to have a couple spares aboard. Easy to change and can save your day on the water.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Aniother thing for the launch check list.

This is my first I/O and my first test drive after a cold winter...... I pulled back the engine cover and found that I forgot to tighten the engine block and manifold drains......the bilge pump dosent work too good either come to find out, but who ever checks that?.....

I thought everybody checked that! You "winterize" in the Fall, and "summerize" in the Spring. Checking bilge pump function and running on the muffs to check for engine leaks are steps 4 and 5 in the summerizing checklist.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Aniother thing for the launch check list.

I did the same thing last year ... caught it fast enough to fix it right on the water and the bilge pump did fine with what I generated. Whole lake probably heard me laughing when I figured it out ... :facepalm:

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Aniother thing for the launch check list.

From another iBoats member's idea ( I forget who, and I apologize) I put the plugs in a small plastic baggy and ziptie them to the steering wheel.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Aniother thing for the launch check list.

You should get in to the habit of poping the engine cover real quick at the dock after you start her up to make sure everything is OK. I know some people are going to say that I am a dock hog but it really takes less then a Minuit and I do it before I pull her off the trailer.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Aniother thing for the launch check list.

who does that? Anyone who ever had a close call or worse due to a malfunctioning bilge pump!

 

[thumpar]

Re: Aniother thing for the launch check list.

I did that a couple times on my 120 because the lower drain was a petcock not a plug and I left it open over winter. I always get the boat summerized in the driveway so found it before hitting the water.

 

[Lager]

Re: Aniother thing for the launch check list.

The weather here in NC has been crazy this year. Mine has got petcocks ,not plugs. So, just when i thought the weather was going to stay warm i would tighten them up planning a trip to the lake, 4 days later its below freezing and Im out there pulling the cover back off and loosening them back up again cause I just ran the motor just a few days ago.
I just forgot this time and filled the bilge, but its nice and clean down there now so thats a good thing.
Im always the one poking fun at myself in the hopes I can educate others.
What was really interesting was the look on my Wifes face when the water was lapping up to her feet. She was already terrified about being out on the water after 10 years being without and me telling her we were sinking in 40 degree water with the shore line wayy over there. Wish I had a camera, I knew we were still ok and laughing at my dumbness.
So, Dont do that.

 

[Brian 26]

Re: Aniother thing for the launch check list.

My first trip or two of the year I will check the engine bay before backing off the trailer (the ramp usually isn't busy that time of year anyway). After that I check almost every time I launch but usually it's while I'm waiting for my wife to park the truck.

 

[izoomie]

Re: Aniother thing for the launch check list.

I usually start on muffs in the driveway before going to the lake.

This is part of my pre-season check. I don't do it every time I go to the water, but fur shur I do it before the first time in the water.