Drain Plug Question

[barrynfla]

I have a 13' fiberglass tri-hull with a rubber transom drain plug. I've been putting the plug in from the inside. My friend who I was fishing with recently puts his rubber plug in from the outside.

Is there a right way or a wrong way to do this?

Mine has never fallen out and his hasn't either but if it did fall out I would rather find it in the boat than at the bottom of the bay! lol

Opinions?

Thanks!

Barry

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Drain Plug Question

Both will work fine, if it has a handle on it be sure the handle is up when putting it in from the outside. I put mine on the outside so i can put it in and out without getting in the boat at the launch. I'd have to stand on my head and get longer arms to put in the inside on my Lake Michigan boat, lol. On smaller "row" boats with no bilge pump I put it in the inside so I could run rain water out at planing speeds.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Drain Plug Question

generally, it's like the debate over which way you hang the toilet paper, no right or wrong, but there are better/worse ways based on boat set up.

No. 1 is do you need to be able to pull it to run water out? If no bilge pump, inside absolutely. if you have a bilge pump, I'd say inside is better, subject to No. 2.

No. 2 is can you conveniently get to it inside? if not, outside is fine.

No. 3 is if it's inside, is it located where you might kick it loose? If so, outside.

After that: I think the risk of it coming out, outside, and sinking is the reason to keep it inside. But if it's put in tight, the chance of falling out is slim to none.

Anyway, tie a string on it, inside or out but especially outside. of course you always have at least one extra stashed in the boat somewhere.

However, there is no "water pressure" from outside holding it in. But there can be water pressure pushing it out if your bilge floods.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Drain Plug Question

However, there is no "water pressure" from outside holding it in. But there can be water pressure pushing it out if your bilge floods.

There is outside->inside water pressure at rest... Also, there is no water pressure inside->outside with a flooded bilge unless you are moving at a decent clip.

In any case, the water pressure is negligible. I personally prefer inside, IF the boat easily allows it. Most boats don't unfortunately.

 

[barrynfla]

Re: Drain Plug Question

Thanks, guys! I have a tiller motor and nothing at all behind the seat (to keep the weight forward) so I reckon I'll keep putting it in from the inside. Good reminder to have an extra plug though. Things disappear when you least expect it! lol

 

[MWG2600]

Re: Drain Plug Question

I have a tiller stear 1984 lowe 1256, 9.9 johnson i put it in from the inside so i can run water out if needed. I do have a huge bilge pump also.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Drain Plug Question

...However, there is no "water pressure" from outside holding it in. But there can be water pressure pushing it out if your bilge floods.

The pressure is Always on the Outside Pushing In.
It is small, but it is what makes the boat float.
You will need 27 inches of draft to produce ONE PSI.

Your hull has Thousands of Square Inches of hull in the water.
That is why 10,000lb boats float so well!

If the water in a half sunk boat was pushing out on the plug, pulling the plug would drain the water.
This is the case when the boat is on plane and the outside of the plug is Not under water.

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: Drain Plug Question

And some boats have no drain plug at all...just the hole which was the case with my Whaler. Kinda weird standing in water sometimes, but it worked well.

Personally, I like the plug on the outside pushing in. If you have ever forgotten to put a plug in, you know how fast water rushes...that's the same pressure that keeps the plug plugged.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Drain Plug Question

Personally, I like the plug on the outside pushing in. If you have ever forgotten to put a plug in, you know how fast water rushes...that's the same pressure that keeps the plug plugged.

^^^+1

 

[81_chapparel194]

Re: Drain Plug Question

And some boats have no drain plug at all...just the hole which was the case with my Whaler. Kinda weird standing in water sometimes, but it worked well.

how did it not sink?

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: Drain Plug Question

how did it not sink?

It's was called a floating hull, at least that what the mechanic I used called it. It's designed that way? Dunno...it worked though.

 

[jestor68]

Re: Drain Plug Question

Just wondering if any other Boston Whaler owners run around with no drain plug in their boat. :laugh:

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Drain Plug Question

Just wondering if any other Boston Whaler owners run around with no drain plug in their boat. :laugh:

used to, as a skinny kid. Carolina skiff, too. But not any more....

But you still get some water in when you stand in the stern. You leave the plug out when the boat is moored so if it rains, it drains. If you have a big motor, though, or an old hull with some water in it, it may float with a little sea water in it, which gets scummy, so better to use a bilge pump.

As for pressure and my comment: obviously, water pressure OUT only occurs when you are running. And yes, there is some water pressure IN at the hole. But because it is not enough to make a difference on a loose plug, it's not worth mentioning.

 

[Outsider]

Re: Drain Plug Question

I put mine in from the outside, mostly because of restricted access from the inside. NOTE OF CAUTION: I originally used the 'flip over' lever style, until a limb pulled it out one day. Now I only use the 'T' screw style ... :facepalm:

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Drain Plug Question

I'm with the inny crowd, no bilge bump in the 14' Lund and I have easy access to it.