garboard plug

[david_r]

i just bought a one-way garboard plug.

i have a few questions:

1. how many people use these?

2. how many people trust these enough that they only rely on the ball?

3. how well do they work as far as sealing off when you slow down/stop?

4. any pros or cons i should be aware of?

5. any advice----install it or not?


i wanted to install one last summer (especially when i joined the "no plug club") but never took the time to get one...............now im waiting for the ice to melt so i can try to freeze to death........i dont mind the cold but an icy deck isnt my cup of tea..... and want to work on the boat..........im bored!

 

[david_r]

Re: garboard plug

no opinions?

too much controversy?


i had the wife pick up a "scupper" for me last summer.........and when she got it home it was the flap type and the package said "for use above water line only".....i was aiming for the ball type.....is there a ball type scupper?....or does the name change to garboard when there is a ball and cup involved?

should i try to find a scupper for the transom drain instead of the garboard?

i havent forgot the plug since last summer.........but you know just in case........

 

[Bondo]

Re: garboard plug

Ayuh,....

3, 1/2 hours isn't all that Long to wait for a reply is it,..??
This is a forum, not chatline...

I've Never seen a ball type garboard plug,....
Ball Scuppers, Yes, but for above the waterline drainage....

I have seen some sort of rubber bladder type of Valve for inserting into a garboard drain,....
Nothing I'd use on anything bigger than a Rowboat, myself anyways...

To Me,...
A Garboard Plug is either a 1/2" Pipeplug, screwed in,...
Or a collapsible rubber tension plug, with a cam-over lock, or screw-tight lock...
And is mounted at the Lowest point of the hull...

Scuppers are mounted at or near normal waterlevel, for a self-draining cockpit....

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: garboard plug

If it is below my waterline...I either 'screw' it in, or I flip the tensioning lever!

No exceptions...on my boats.

I don't trust anything else....

 

[david_r]

Re: garboard plug

heres what i have

i want some added protection for when i forget the plug again.......

 

[david_r]

Re: garboard plug

wow! now i can post pictures!........i had to look it up for help........man this is a great site!!!.....now it looks like i need to learn how to operate the date setting on my camera lol


sorry if i seemed impatient ........i wanted to put it on but wanted some opinions first.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: garboard plug

heres what i have

i want some added protection for when i forget the plug again.......

From what I can see...this is a traditional, screw in, setup. I can't see any 'ball' feature....

There wouldn't be any protection from forgetting the plug...but this is what I use!

 

[Bondo]

Re: garboard plug

for when i forget the plug again.......

Ayuh,...

Find a place for the plug, devolop a routine, follow it,+ Again will Never Happen.....
Forgetting the Plug, is Not an Option....

 

[david_r]

Re: garboard plug

the ball is the little white thing in the middle of the brass nipple thing in the first picture........i wasnt sure if i could figure out how to post pics so i didnt do a very good job at it.

my other concern is the diameter of the drain hole........i cant even fit my pinky in there............but i do have a 12v bilge pump now.......i had a auto fuel pump jury rigged as a pump for a while

 

[david_r]

Re: garboard plug

Ayuh,...

Find a place for the plug, devolop a routine, follow it,+ Again will Never Happen.....
Forgetting the Plug, is Not an Option....

i just one of those insecurities ............you know --what if?........i wouldnt have ever thought i would do it the first time........and doubt i will forget the humbling experience any time soon .....but.......what if?

right now i keep one in the splash well one in my toolbox and the one i use is wired to my ign key, but the key thing is a hastle with a big ugly rubber plug..........the little brass plug will fit in my pocket better.

 

[Bondo]

Re: garboard plug

the ball is the little white thing in the middle of the brass nipple thing in the first picture........my other concern is the diameter of the drain hole........i cant even fit my pinky in there............

Ayuh,...

I can see that becoming Plugged in no time from bilge debris....

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: garboard plug

the ball is the little white thing in the middle of the brass nipple thing in the first picture........i wasnt sure if i could figure out how to post pics so i didnt do a very good job at it.

I see it now! Might work...probably better than nothing.

I couldn't use it, though...since my oil drain hose is wired to the back of my removable brass plug.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: garboard plug

You just need to remember to put the plug in it's really that easy.

 

[Pole Dragger]

Re: garboard plug

They make those for radio controled boats, called auto-bailers. Most people call them auto-sinkers, as any debris will make them fail.
The #1 rule for launching is MAKE SURE THE PLUG IS IN!!!!!!!!!!

 

[david_r]

Re: garboard plug

well i hate to boast but i run a clean vessel and i have devised a screen to keep any thing too large (anything that could clog the ball) from entering the plug/drain.

albeit i will wait for warmer weather before i try this..............yes im still fishing in this cold weather...................the only bad part is when you try to get your ciggaretse out of your inside pocket and your zipper/buttons are froze over from when you were catching bait early that morning.

thanks for all the advice and opinions!

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: garboard plug

I have one of those for my bilge and my splash well. Splash well doesn't get the screw in plug. The splash well is clogged and is going to be cleaned and replaced with something more practical this winter. Works fine for the bilge though, haven't left out the plug so I don't know how well the ball does yet... hope to never find out.