Boat Law

jbetzelb

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 28, 2011
Messages
301
Re: Boat Law

You guys are all honestly draining your engine blocks when you pull out of the lake? I have a 4.3 and it is only 4 places to drain the water manifolds and the block but still a PIA. On a outboard I get it. Tilt it down for a couple minutes and it will drain itself.
 

jbetzelb

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 28, 2011
Messages
301
Re: Boat Law

Fighting the spread of ANS is not something to be taken lightly. In Colorado they're wicked strict on it, and we have just learned to go with the plan. Yes, every time we pull out, there is a representative of the DOW or another agency, that is going to inspect everything. They WILL check the livewell EVERY TIME. They WILL check the anchor and line EVERY TIME. If their lake is ANS positive, they WILL provide you with a high-temp pressure wash EVERY TIME. They seal your boat to your trailer, and provide an inspection certificate, and the next time you put in, that seal better be intact, and you better have the certificate, or you're going to go through decontamination before you can put in. It's just part of boating life, and we all do it.

Fortunately, pontoons don't have a bilge, or drain plugs!

Do they charge for any of this?
 

frantically relaxing

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 19, 2011
Messages
699
Re: Boat Law

Question on these washdown laws, are they in effect for lakes that already have mussels? Why would there be a washdown law on a "clean" lake? Seems kinda like sterilizing a bandaid...
:confused:

Plugs-- There may be several reasons in other boater's minds as to why to pull the plug, and I've heard many of 'em-- but in my nearly 40 years of boating I've only found ONE:

...to drain the water out.

And since I've almost sunk 2 boats because I forgot it WAS out, and a 3rd time because someone stole the plug out of our Bayliner-- my plug only comes out IF there's water to drain out, and then it goes right back in. (and I DO make sure the plug is still there these days)

Keeping it in also eliminates an easy entrance for mice...
 

Water logged

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Nov 15, 2008
Messages
376
Re: Boat Law

A little clarification please. I know there are 2 types of cooling systems on I/Os, raw water and intercooler. Are either of these set up to drain the raw water simular to an OB? I am pretty sure you would not have to drain the block if you have the intercooler system.

Glenn
 

salty87

Commander
Joined
Aug 12, 2003
Messages
2,327
Re: Boat Law

it appears that at least in some places, they'll hook your engine up to flush it with hot enough water:

"If you flush your boat’s engine at home, please bring your flush kit and any adapters with you to the inspection station, as we have only the most common adapters and tools for the decontamination process."

from the faq's here: http://tahoeboatinspections.com/
 

RogersJetboat454

Commander
Joined
Jul 9, 2010
Messages
2,964
Re: Boat Law

A little clarification please. I know there are 2 types of cooling systems on I/Os, raw water and intercooler. Are either of these set up to drain the raw water simular to an OB?

Nope.
Raw water system, drain block, manifolds, and hoses.

Closed cooling, drain the raw side of the heat exchanger, and possibly the exhaust depending on the setup.
 

JimS123

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Jul 27, 2007
Messages
8,241
Re: Boat Law

...to drain the water out.

And since I've almost sunk 2 boats because I forgot it WAS out, and a 3rd time because someone stole the plug out of our Bayliner-- my plug only comes out IF there's water to drain out, and then it goes right back in. (and I DO make sure the plug is still there these days)

Keeping it in also eliminates an easy entrance for mice...

+1
My plug hasn't been out in 29 years. It takes 2 seconds to open the seat and inspect the bilge. Haven't had any water in there yet. Last Summer wew were hit by a freak T-Storm and I had to put the pump on. When it was over there was only about 1 gal left and a sponge and 3 minutes cleared that out. The excess "moisture" evaporated before I got home just from the heat of the engine.
 
Top