Don't have too worry about the plug again.=)

[TwoWatt]

They say everyone forgets the plug once.<br />I finally got it out of my system yesterday.<br />I usually go fishing alone & prep the boat before the launching. Yesterday a friend of mine went & I was worried about my new trolling motor & think the plug slipped my mind.<br />I launched the boat & went to park the truck, went back, my friend in the back of the boat waiting to go. I step in & see water coming up to front of the boat "OH S@#T....The PLUG" My friend was sitting in the back so all the water stayed in the back. He didn't even notice. <br />He asked if we should take the boat out to drain it? I didn't think there was much water in the boat. So I said, don't worry about. <br />Troll to my fishing spot, and went to the back of the boat where my friend was, that's when we noticed exactly how much water we took in.<br />We must of bailed about 100 32oz cups of water out of the boat until we thought it was "OK"<br />At the end of the day, we trailer the boat, pull the plug & at least another 5 gallons came out.<br />Stupid Me. Lesson Learned.

 

[new2obrepair]

Re: Don't have too worry about the plug again.=)

get a bilge pump, auto cut on/off float switch, don't worry AS MUCH! LOL good story...

 

[youngboater]

Re: Don't have too worry about the plug again.=)

happens to the best of us.

 

[fixin]

Re: Don't have too worry about the plug again.=)

A friend of mine(MIKE) and I live in the Mississippi,well in 1993 we did.It was the great flood of 93,I was riding with Mike when he decides to run the water out from the morning rain,I,m watching him while he holds the plug in one hand and cleans out leaves with other,well he changes hands and throws plug to the Gods! To make a long story shorter he had to drop me off at a old runabout I had,circle, run the water out while I pulled the plug and sunk my boat,I guess I'm not over it yet.

 

[delta breeze]

Re: Don't have too worry about the plug again.=)

Hey fixin what part of Missippi.Close to the delta?? Delta breeze?

 

[fixin]

Re: Don't have too worry about the plug again.=)

We live about 3 miles up from were the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers come together on the Missouri side of the Mississippi river.

 

[achris]

Re: Don't have too worry about the plug again.=)

Two types of boaties.<br /><br />Those who have left the plug out, and those who lie about it.....

 

[Link]

Re: Don't have too worry about the plug again.=)

I wont say that I never have. I just say that I havent yet! After many years and many close calls we started firing up the boat in the driveway and putting the plug in there. Then recheck at launch. However it's just a part of trailer boating and sooner or later its going to happen to us also. Then I'm going to blame it on my fishing partner so I can still have a clean record!

 

[armysfcret]

Re: Don't have too worry about the plug again.=)

Plug - what plug? Guess that's why I bought a pontoon!

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Don't have too worry about the plug again.=)

Done it one time, but didn't count because I remembered before I unhooked the boat. I backed down the ramp, boat in the water, got out of the truck, and remembered right then. Pulled out and let it drain (not too much water) and plugged it up. Of course it was a nice busy Saturday so I had plenty of witnesses. At least I kind of saved face a little......

 

[milwfire90man]

Re: Don't have too worry about the plug again.=)

Question? If you don't get water in the boat {or very little} do you really HAVE TO take that silly plug out?? I'm so afraid of forgetting it I just leave it in all the time!!!

 

[livebait]

Re: Don't have too worry about the plug again.=)

What John & Jackie said, and we don’t need a bilge pump either.

 

[PDS]

Re: Don't have too worry about the plug again.=)

Answer to Milwaukee: Of coarse not.The reason for the plug is drain rain water or water from washing the boat, etc. If you store your boat under shelter or indoors and don't go out in rough waters or have swimmers entering the boat, leave it in. In a past boat(parents) we would pull the plug while on plane to get rid of exess water(no bilge pump). On my present boat, I forgot once(boat never got off trailer). When I went to open vent on fuel I noticed fuel container was floating. Pulled trailer out and boat drained for about 10 minutes. That was 10 years ago. Now I have transom straps and when I take them off, I check to see that the plug is in. Whatever works best for you!

 

[d67bart]

Re: Don't have too worry about the plug again.=)

Back in early part of 2002 I went on a friday evening with a buddy to do some bush hooking and set a trot line or two. When we got to the ramp there was a couple of guys who had been out in their boat for the first time. They were new to boating and had bought a used bass boat with 150 horses on the back.They were beached to the side of the ramp trying to get the motor to run for the previous 15 minutes or so then noticed about 10 inches of water in the wrong place. We helped them get the boat on the trailer, the little Nissan had to put the bumper in the water to get boat on. The truck didn't have the power to get it out of the water until it got the wheels spinnig and 6 of us guys pushing. <br />Not wanting to push our luck ,we went home to the wifes. I guess those boys found another ramp cause we havent seen them since.<br />The next night I got to the ramp ,put the boat in ,tide it to the dock and parked the trailer.I had to wait about half an hour for my buddy. When we walk to the boat with gear in hand we noticed someone had baled about 12 inches of water into my 12' fiberglass v-hull. My lesson dont sit in the truck waiting on someone when you can sit in the boat and fish.(I'd noticed the water a lot sooner)

 

[dakotashooter2]

Re: Don't have too worry about the plug again.=)

I have come up with three solutions for plug problems that work for me. 1) #1 plug is attached to boat key with one of those detachable keyrings. When I hop in the boat to drive it off the trailer if the plug is still on the ring I catch it before pulling off. 2) Spare #2 plug is tethered to back of boat with just enough cable to be able to insert it. 3) never use plug 2 unless plug 1 is lost.

 

[achris]

Re: Don't have too worry about the plug again.=)

Back a few years I had a customer who rang from about 150 miles away to say he was bringing his boat in because it had sank.<br /><br />He always leaves the plugs in (Twin hull with 2x 3.0 litre Mercs). This day he launched the boat and after parking the truck got back down to the boat to find it sitting on the bottom. Appearantly some a**hole had stolen the plugs during the night, while the boat was parked next to his tent. He was REALLY lucky he wasn't out at sea when he realized, ah?<br /><br />Chris.............

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Don't have too worry about the plug again.=)

been around boats most of my life, and at 42yrs.<br />old, and my first trip of the season, I forgot to<br />install the plug before I started for the launch.<br />luckily, I remembered about 2 blocks from my<br />house and turned around and installed it, so as<br />years go on, it gets easier (maybe)...<br />so, don't feel bad.

 

[djvan]

Re: Don't have too worry about the plug again.=)

I attach mine to the tongue (near the latch) when it is removed, that way I will be sure to see it when I go to hook up.<br /><br />DougV>

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Don't have too worry about the plug again.=)

I have a screw in metal pipe plug and I just leave it in.<br />That's what they make 1000GPH bilge pumps for x 2.<br />One is manual and one is automatic.

 

[beezee28]

Re: Don't have too worry about the plug again.=)

Been there and done that... Will never forget the plug again. After launching the boat and dock it at the dock side, load the family and wife said that there is a lot of water coming into the boat. Look at the plug hole and check it out...FORGET THE PLUG... Ran back to the truck and search for plug, meanwhile boat is filling with water. Found spare plug and ran back to boat and jumped into water to put plug in. Now I tied the plug with a cord to the transom so I dont forget the plug again.