Drain plug question

[jm999]

Hi all. New to the forum and to boating in general. Just picked up a project boat that appears to have two holes that would require a drain plug, but I'm not sure. I'm adding the image of the two holes. I only have one drain plug. Which hole do I plug? Sorry for the newb question, just don't want to get it in the water and sink!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Drain plug question

You don't plug the upper one.

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: Drain plug question

Just to be curious Bruce what is the upper hole for. You just stated dont plug the upper one. We would like to know why not.

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: Drain plug question

the upper one is for the splash well

 

[cr2k]

Re: Drain plug question

The upper hole is the drain for the splash well, as the name applies, it is just a well for any water splashing into the boat usually from backing up or sudden stopping. It is this way since the transom has to be lower then on an I/O to mount the engine.

 

[jm999]

Re: Drain plug question

Thanks for the replies folks. Strangely enough, the drain plug is attached to a cable (I assume to keep it from getting lost), but the cable only reaches to the splash well drain hole. Doesn't reach down to the bottom. Maybe the prev. owner was plugging the wrong hole. Either way, I'll keep the bottom one plugged up!

 

[Art Bernard]

Re: Drain plug question

Also, go buy yourself a few more drain plugs, those buggers have a habit of getting lost and it's good to have a spare onboard.

Art

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Drain plug question

Maybe the prev. owner was plugging the wrong hole. Either way, I'll keep the bottom one plugged up!

Not likely, as you have a couple minutes at best before it takes on too much water to float... Are you trying to plug the hole from the inside or the outside? I've owned boats with both, it just depends on how easy the bilge is to get to from the inside. (which i kind of prefer, zero chance of some random piece of rope/line/seaweed/person opening it up from the outside that way)


Also, you don't want to keep it entirely plugged up. The absolute best practice is to pull the plug immediately after loading, and install it immediately before unloading. If the boat is on the trailer the plug is out. This helps the boat dry out, as well as reduces the chance of rainwater filling up inside the boat.

(yes, i know, this topic is a virtual holy war of the leave-it-in guys vs the take-the-plug-out camp. Obviously i'm on the side of take the plug out, with a good mental checklist of always putting it back in.)

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Drain plug question

what's up with your transom? Is that steel boat that's rusting, or a steel patch on it? Is that rust draining out your bottom hole?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Drain plug question

I always leave the plug out for many reasons. Lately, with the Quagga/Zebra mussel inspections going on in the Tahoe region, you can be cited if driving with your plug in. They do not want the transport of water between bodys of water in California.

 

[BosnBill]

Re: Drain plug question

Looks like you need maybe, 10 or more plugs in your transom. I've never seen a transom in so big a need of drain plugs. Seriously, it's the lowest hole that needs the plug and I agree with Art; I encourage you to get some backups.