Joined the "No Plug At Launch" Group

[wuttja]

I'm a thorough, attention to detail type of guy. I printed my checklists for launching, loading, and trailering. I've read the stories on this forum about how people forgot the plug, and I thought to myself that I would never to do that. I'm feeling pretty good about things. I'm very excited to take my new (to me) boat out for it's second launch, but first run where I can actually get on a plane. I get everything all ready; boat is in the water, wife & daughter in the boat, I pull out and park. Checklists remained in the car because I know what I'm doing. As I'm coming back to the ramp, I see water shooting out of the bilge. Panic starts to set in as the little light bulb goes off, "the plug". Oh crap. Run back to the car, get the plug, and I can't reach it from the swim deck. I get the boat spun around so the bow is now facing out towards the lake and the stern is facing the ramp. Screw in the plug and life is good again. Fortunately only one other person had to witness that showing. :redface:

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Joined the "No Plug At Launch" Group

been there done that

 

[KeyWestBoater]

Re: Joined the "No Plug At Launch" Group

I put the plug in before i even hook up the trailer. Double check when I get to the ramp. So far so good!

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Joined the "No Plug At Launch" Group

I put in the plug before leaving home... I am so scared about forgetting it!

 

[jennis9]

Re: Joined the "No Plug At Launch" Group

Let's just say you were testing the bilge....

we have two extra plugs in the toolbox on board - just in case.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Joined the "No Plug At Launch" Group

I have 2 plugs in my splashwell. Putting the plug is part of my "make ready" procedure. However, I am also part of the club.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Joined the "No Plug At Launch" Group

Not joined that club yet but am scared stupid that I will !!!!!
I have a plug in the dash stowage box, the car, on the lanyard and in the motor well...........just in case, the more the merrier !!!!!
You could say I was paranoid !!!!! and you would be correct !!!

 

[SNye45]

Re: Joined the "No Plug At Launch" Group

Havn't done that yet, but I have a system that hasn't failed me yet, When I am at the back of the boat and kneeling to take the transom saver off the engine I have the plug in my hand ready to put in.

 

[KeyWestBoater]

Re: Joined the "No Plug At Launch" Group

My plug stays connected to the boat even when it's unscrewed so I don't have to worry about forgetting to bring it. I just have to make sure it's screwed in!

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Joined the "No Plug At Launch" Group

I always put mine in at home while getting ready and running the motor in a bucket so I know it will start right up.

But I have had old rubber plugs decide they weren't working anymore and I'm not going to tell you the funny story take my friends boat he just got from his dad fishing last week, you can probably guess.

 

[rdny041285]

Re: Joined the "No Plug At Launch" Group

"HERE"

just checking into the "forgot the plug" club....have done so many times.

 

[eaglejim]

Re: Joined the "No Plug At Launch" Group

I keep 2 plugs on the boat at all times one where it is supposed to be and the other in the dash of the boat

 

[wuttja]

Re: Joined the "No Plug At Launch" Group

I put in the plug before leaving home... I am so scared about forgetting it!

That's been my new approach, and so far... success!

 

[Marylandboatman]

Re: Joined the "No Plug At Launch" Group

I haven't as of yet joined that club, and hope not in the future. I have friends who are in that club too. I put my plug in before I hook up to tow vehicle.

 

[Marylandboatman]

Re: Joined the "No Plug At Launch" Group

I haven't as of yet joined that club, and hope not in the future. I have friends who are in that club too. I put my plug in before I hook up to tow vehicle. I also keep a spare key in my tackle box. I have got to the ramp 40 minute drive and not have the key.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Joined the "No Plug At Launch" Group

Towing the boat from home to the ramp I leave the plug out to try and completely empty the bilge. I go thru a pretty thorough check before leaving the house, so that would probably be the best time to put it in....So far over many years, just launched once without it and also noticed the bilge pump running and pumping away. Took a little swim and was releived I didn't drop it:redface:

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Joined the "No Plug At Launch" Group

I haven't joined the club yet , I am trying to stay far away from it lol. I have however joined the "backed up to fast and swamped my own boat club". I was having problems loading the boat on the trailer and I got a little mad at the situation and I gave it a little to much throttle while backing up and water started coming over the transom . That scared the heck out of me. That would be an easy way to sink a boat no doubt (for the shallow hull boats/bass boats that is). Thankfully I didn't sink mine but I learned from that mistake.

 

[cmchesse]

Re: Joined the "No Plug At Launch" Group

5th launch today. I am still not a member of the club, but as I pulled out in the canal I looked up and saw the plug in the cup holder.. I had my wife lift the hatch to the bilge expecting to see water. Turns out it was the spare plug.

What a relief.

 

[cmchesse]

Re: Joined the "No Plug At Launch" Group

5th launch today. I am still not a member of the club, but as I pulled out in the canal I looked up and saw the plug in the cup holder.. I had my wife lift the hatch to the bilge expecting to see water. Turns out it was the spare plug.

What a relief.

 

[guy74]

Re: Joined the "No Plug At Launch" Group

I'm a member of that club, I figuered it out before the boat left the trailer though. I can see into the bilge from the helm on my boat, seen the water start coming in. Now I alway put the plug in while I'm raising the motor off the transome saver, haven't forgot since (over 150 launches)