drain plug wrench

[Kosse]

So i pulled a rookie (because I'm a rookie) mistake the other day leaving to take the boat out. Realized when I got to the ramp that I had frogoten my drain plug wrench at home. another boater was kind enough to lend his which was a flat piece of stock with a large magnet attached so you could just stick it to the trailer frame and be done with it. I asked where he got it and he said Overtons but I couldn't find it. Anyone know anywhere else on the net I might find one?

-Kosse

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: drain plug wrench

Here's what I did: get a cheap crescent wrench, set it to the right size, use it around salt water a lot, and eventually it will always be the right size.

Seriously, a magnetic wrench will most likely bounce off (I used to collect Hide-a-key's at the dip in the road near the house). I wouldn't even tie it on. just leave an open-ended wrench (like mine) in the glove compartment. You should have wrenches and spare plugs in the tool box anyway. Don't let anyone trick you into paying extra for a "drain plug wrench."

 

[jmarty10]

Re: drain plug wrench

a crescent wrench is all ya need

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: drain plug wrench

or better yet 3 crescent wrenches one for the truck one for the boat and another for the truck as a backup..... while you're at it a couple other tools in the boat would be a good idea

 

[jopes]

Re: drain plug wrench

I leave mine in the glove box along with a spare plug.

 

[sschefer]

Re: drain plug wrench

If you use a crescent wrench it can be a single tool of many uses. It's even metric if you need it.. ... my bad...

 

[Stachi]

Re: drain plug wrench

I actually have an adjustable wrench , that claims it is metric..... METRIC is actually in the casting on the handle.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: drain plug wrench

I have seen that before and it still makes me laugh. What even makes me laugh harder is that boaters???? will leave thier plug and or wrench at home why isn't it left in the boat? Isn't that what it belongs to? Good rule of thumb to follow is to install the plug before leaving home which is a good idea and to keep it in the tool box with other assorted tools that can and will eventually come in handy on the BOAT!

 

[AndrewsArk]

Re: drain plug wrench

or better yet 3 crescent wrenches one for the truck one for the boat and another for the truck as a backup..... while you're at it a couple other tools in the boat would be a good idea

This is exactly what I do... one in the boat, one in the truck. I don't have a 3rd though.

 

[Brewman61]

Re: drain plug wrench

I actually have an adjustable wrench , that claims it is metric..... METRIC is actually in the casting on the handle.

Premumably it also said "Made in China" on the handle as well.

 

[mgmidget72]

Re: drain plug wrench

http://www.amazon.com/Irwin-2078602-Metric-Adjusting-Wrench/dp/B000JHA9S2

Wrong in so many ways. It's 8 inch, but it's metric, but it's adjustable. To be fare, it does have a scale marked in mm, but still...

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: drain plug wrench

If it's really a problem, replace the plug with one like mine (wish I had a picture). It's plastic, with an oring seal, it has a wing nut style handle to grab hold of it with your thumb and fore finger (no wrench needed), and it's captive - meaning when you loosen it, it doesn't come all the way out so you can't lose it.

Of course, even with that, I still have a wrench and two spare standard plugs in the glove box. Ya never know.

 

[TBarCYa]

Re: drain plug wrench

I have a floating prop wrench that's yellow and plastic and really does float. It's perfect for the prop nut and has the square cut out for the drain plug. Unfortunately, if the plug is too tight, the plastic gives way and becomes less than useful BUT if I ever have to change a prop on the water, which I've done 3 times, you'll never have to worry about losing the wrench!

 

[four winns 214]

Re: drain plug wrench

So i pulled a rookie (because I'm a rookie) mistake the other day.....Realized when I got to the ramp that I had frogoten my drain plug wrench at home

A rookie mistake would have been to LAUNCH the boat without the drain plug.

In my truck, I keep a "tow tool box" which has spare drain plugs, wrenches, trailer light plugs, wiring, wheel bearings, grease, etc. I also keep a spare drain plug and wrench in the boat.

 

[emoney]

Re: drain plug wrench

I've always kept a tool box on every boat I've owned. Maybe it's because I'm too poor to own one of these fancy new boats, but even if I could, it would still have a tool box. Doesn't need to be a floating 'shop', but a crescent wrench, pliers, wire cutters, one of each screwdriver, spare spark plugs, spare boat plugs, etc. etc. The "waterproof" boxes can be found at WalMart type stores pretty cheap. And, when (if) you trade boats, it's easy to grab your stuff and move it over to the new one.

And I agree about the "rookie" comment above. It's only a "rookie mistake" when it was launched without the plug, in this case.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: drain plug wrench

not that I'm admitting anything but you don't have to be anywhere near being a rookie to launch without a plug.............................................ugh

 

[Kosse]

Re: drain plug wrench

I have a small tool kit that I keep in the truck for this but I had taken it out when loading up the coolers and frogot to put it back. Guess I'll start keeping it in the boat which obiviously is a better idea. Or take your suggestions of multiple kits. The magnetic wrench was just a neat gizmo that caught my attention (I suffer from shiny things syndrome). If I can find one I'll prob still pick it up just to have it. The magnet was strong as hell so I think I would have to do some serious offroading with the boat hitched up to even come close to having to worry about it falling off the trailer.

Thanks

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: drain plug wrench

Don't have any tools that float, but the ones I use over the side (especially the prop wrench), have a lanyard on them so they don't go too far if dropped in the drink. Have a tool set specially put together for and never leaves the boat. All in a plastic tool box. Have another plastic tool box with spare fuses, bulbs, electrical crimp connectors, velcro strips, various tyraps, electric and duct tape, hose clamps, 5 minute underwater epoxy and some wooden plugs and hammer. All the stuff in that box is in zip-loc bags to keep em dry.

The cresent wrench (we call it cresent hammer) has a very convenient hole in the handle, perfect for a lanyard. Drain plug also has a lanyard loop on it that I hang on steering wheel when not in transom, so I can't miss it. Carry a spare in tool box too.

PS: Before leaving the driveway, I always start her up and run her for a little while on the hose, do all the normal checks and put plug in when I shut her down. Plug gets double checked at the ramp. Many years ago, forgot it one time. NEVER again will do that. Took too long to live that one down.

 

[hostage]

Re: drain plug wrench

I just got a ~$1 small cresent wrench from Harbor Freight and keep it in top part of my waterproof case. I also have a cheap pocket knife and needle nose pliers with me as well. I never take it off the boat and I bought it specificly for the boat.

 

[four winns 214]

Re: drain plug wrench

not that I'm admitting anything but you don't have to be anywhere near being a rookie to launch without a plug.............................................ugh

Oh, of course, I have no personal experience with this. I've just heard about it........