Is this a bad plan?

[hrdwrkingacguy]

When I leave the lake I pull my plug to see if there is any water(So far there hasn't been)...Then I put the plug back in and tighten it up again...I live in Arizona(where it doesn't rain) and the boat spends its life in a covered RV spot at my storage that doesn't leak...

I always check it to make sure its tight...One time I left it at home on the counter and had to go back for it(spare plug??? What is that lol)...That's when I figured I would just reinstall it...

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Is this a bad plan?

When I leave the lake I pull my plug to see if there is any water(So far there hasn't been)...Then I put the plug back in and tighten it up again...I live in Arizona(where it doesn't rain) and the boat spends its life in a covered RV spot at my storage that doesn't leak...

I always check it to make sure its tight...One time I left it at home on the counter and had to go back for it(spare plug??? What is that lol)...That's when I figured I would just reinstall it...

You'll probably be fine, but it never hurts to have a spare plug or two.
We leave it out with the lil' Ray just for the little bit of water from guests getting in the boats from the lake.
The Starcraft stays on a lift and that plug doesn't come out until the end of the season unless I'm working on something in the bilge.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Is this a bad plan?

It's only a bad idea if you leave the boat anywhere it can get filled with water.

 

[Blue2Green]

Re: Is this a bad plan?

I remember once when we were going out on my dads Chis Craft and my cousin who wanted to do all the prep (Sgt in the Army), he forgot the key and the screw in plug at home. He told us he installed the plug though. We got to the dock and had to pull the boat off the trailer and moor to the dock while he went back home for the key. Then I noticed the boat was taking on water. I had to use the spare plug and dive in and install it. It was February and that water was cold. So I learned at a young age to always carry a spare. My cousin was never able to live that one down.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Is this a bad plan?

I think you are fine, I actually never pull my plug but I store mine in the garage and if yours is in a carport I wouldn't worry.

 

[joed]

Re: Is this a bad plan?

I put my plug in at spring startup and it stays in all summer until fall shut down. I have a cover and that keeps the rain out. I run the bilge pump when I find water in the bilge, but that is not very often.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Is this a bad plan?

Starting last year (2010), it became illegal in Minnesota to tow your boat with the plug still in the boat. This came into effect because of the invasive species problems (boats transporting invasives into pristine lakes). It hasn't bothered me since I always pulled my plug and let the boat drain throughout the drive home. The plug sits in the rear splash well until I get to the boat launch, and then it's just a part of my launching procedure to insert the plug as I'm removing the transom saver.

If you aren't in a state or area with invasive species concerns, then I wouldn't worry about leaving it in. However, I think that leaving it out is a good way to dry out your bilge. It is also a smart idea, as pointed out by Blue2Green, to keep a spare plug in your boat box in case you lose/forget the plug or the usual plug fails.

 

[Shabah 182]

Re: Is this a bad plan?

I trailer my boat and always pull the plug when the boat comes out of the water and leave it out until the next trip. Thankfully there has never been more than a drop or two of water. Even though I keep the boat covered, that could blow off and a little rain still sometimes gets in. I want to keep my bilge dry at all times. The night before I splash, I run my motor on muffs, hook her up to the trailer and put the plug back in. I also keep a spare plug n my boat's glove compartment.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Is this a bad plan?

In Arizona and your set-up, you are fine. For most people elsewhere, better to leave it out. Another perfect example of why there are no rules, but one, when it comes to boating.

But regardless of your methods, redundancy is good policy for boating, and that means a spare. I have plugs sprinkled all over my boats, tool boxes, and cars for this reason.

 

[TestEngr]

Re: Is this a bad plan?

It's all about routine. Everytime you launch your boat or take it out of the water, you need to follow a routine. If you normally install the plug right before launch, keep doing it this way. Once you change your routine, you'll screw up and forget to install it. I follow this advise before every golf shot....called my pre-shot routine. Doesn't matter is it's a drive or a short pitch shot, I do the same thing every time.

 

[I Fish]

Re: Is this a bad plan?

My splashwell has 2 drain holes, so I always pull mine and put it in one of them. A buddy of mine always carried his attached to his boat's keys. I always carry a spare plug and kill switch.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Is this a bad plan?

Ayuh,... I've had to repair/ replace tons of expensive parts, because some Idiot left the bilge plug in the hull...
Motors sunk, starters Junk, you name it....

I've only tried to launch a hull, Just Once, after forgettin' to put it back in....

I don't live in a Desert, 'n most of Us don't....
Even with a cover, rain/ snow/ etc will Ruin yer day with the plug in the hole....
Otherwise, it's Just a ripped cover,...

All of My barges have the plug, Hanging within arm's reach of where it goes...
It's Cheap insurance, 'n I ain't That lazy.....

 

[oldfordcrap]

Re: Is this a bad plan?

take the plug out each time buy a few leave one in your car glove box and one on the boat

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Is this a bad plan?

When I have my plug out, It gets wired to the handle of the winch with a piece of red electrical wire...Its in your face at the launch then, works for me

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: Is this a bad plan?

When I leave the lake I pull my plug to see if there is any water(So far there hasn't been)...Then I put the plug back in and tighten it up again...I live in Arizona(where it doesn't rain) and the boat spends its life in a covered RV spot at my storage that doesn't leak...

I always check it to make sure its tight...One time I left it at home on the counter and had to go back for it(spare plug??? What is that lol)...That's when I figured I would just reinstall it...

What was that stuff coming out of the Sky all day Monday. I think it was rain.
Yes it rains in AZ.

What storage Facility are you at and what do you Pay monthly.

Sorry off topic Post.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Is this a bad plan?

I take the plug out each time. You should buy a few and leave one in your car glove box and one on the boat.

I take it out at the ramp for the trailer boat, but I would be asking for trouble if I did that on the boat on a lift.
We have spares on both boats.

 

[wingmastr23]

Re: Is this a bad plan?

I bought one of those cheapo plastic plugs you can put on your boat keys.....cost like 2 bucks.

My traditional method is to remove the plug and put it in the boat glovebox......I had my kids clean out the boat once last summer and they "took out the bolts" that were in the glove box....thankfully that $2 plastic plug saved the day.....

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Is this a bad plan?

What was that stuff coming out of the Sky all day Monday. I think it was rain.
Yes it rains in AZ.

What storage Facility are you at and what do you Pay monthly.

Sorry off topic Post.

I spent a lot of time in Tucson when I was stationed in CA. I scoffed at "monsoon season" until I experienced it and highways were closed.

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: Is this a bad plan?

Yes an Inch of rain in 10 minutes during a Monsoon the roads cannot handle.

 

[4x4xEric]

Re: Is this a bad plan?

yes, I think bad idea
My mates ally boat sitting on his trailer in a car port, neighbour watered the garden with a sprinkler thingy and the boat filled to the gunnels with water, as well as loosing all the electical things in the boat, the boalt actualy couldnt handle the weight and bent around the rollers.
If the bung was out the water would have just run out harmlessly.