my expensive no plug story

[26aftcab454]

:facepalm:I've been boating all my life and not the 1st time I forgot it install the plug before launching-but it has been at least 10 years.
Launched the Glastron-left it idling tied to the dock while parking the truck- by myself. Hopped in and headed out 1/4 mile to the "NO Wake" buoy. Then went to get on plane and when it bogged down knew instantly I had no plug in. I hit the bilge and the throttle to suck the water back out the hole. The boat would not get on plane for a while- I was even up in the bow area steering to help get the bow down-I was worried I might fill the whole boat up heading back to the dock- walking the 100 yards to get truck & trailer. Finally got up on plane and rode around on plane until the bilge was close to empty. I rode up to the island and jumped into 3 feet of water to reach under & put the plug in. it is too deep to do from inside the boat.
The motor started making a rattling noise. i put the boat back on the trailer and went back home. Blower is shot.
ran the boat in the driveway on muffs and still had odd rattle. Took boat to my boat mechanic buddy and figured out it is the bell housing rattling. also gonna pull the starter and make sure it is disengaging. Alternator got wet but is working soo far.
I messed this up!

 

[jigngrub]

Re: my expensive no plug story

Boat motors were made to sit on top of the transom!... not down in the bilge!!!

 

[southkogs]

Re: my expensive no plug story

^^^^^Awww, that's cold Jigngrub ^^^^^

That's a bummer. I've done it once too, but didn't sustain much damage. Hope you get it cleaned up quick and easy ... that's a nice Glastron.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: my expensive no plug story

The boat remained above water? You didn't destroy the engine? You didn't have to call "MAYDAY" or swim back to the dock?

It could have been a lot worse. Glad it wasn't.

 

[jonesg]

Re: my expensive no plug story

Those high water alarms cost a fortune eh

 

[relocyo]

Re: my expensive no plug story

Dang, buggering up friscoboaters beutiful restore... Shame on you... good luck, hope its not too expensive of a mistake...

 

[oldjeep]

Re: my expensive no plug story

Why not just jump in the water and put the plug in?

 

[korygrandy]

Re: my expensive no plug story

Ahhh the freekin plug. This happened to me this past weekend. Took my cousin out who insisted it was a bad idea since his last 11 episodes on boats didnt end well. I insisted I have everything under control. Until I go to put the boat on plane outside the no-wake and experience the same feeling 26aftcab454 felt. NO PLUG! Fricken MN made it a law that you need to trailer with the plug removed.

In the hopes of avoiding a ticket I abided by this rule, only to almost sink the damn boat. I'm not abiding by this rule anymore. Bring on the ticket, I cannot wait to explain the WHY when I get pulled over next time. I will eat the cost of the ticket a few times before I rethink my strategy.

 

[Gun Dog]

Re: my expensive no plug story

I'm not abiding by this rule anymore. Bring on the ticket, I cannot wait to explain the WHY when I get pulled over next time. I will eat the cost of the ticket a few times before I rethink my strategy.

That-a-boy. Stick to your guns. Or better yet stick someone you don't like with your gun.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: my expensive no plug story

I will eat the cost of the ticket a few times before I rethink my strategy.

Rethink your strategy now! Get the $2 clip for the boat keychain that the plug fits into. If you go to put the key in the ignition, there's no way you'll forget the plug.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: my expensive no plug story

^^^^^Awww, that's cold Jigngrub ^^^^^

That's a bummer. I've done it once too, but didn't sustain much damage. Hope you get it cleaned up quick and easy ... that's a nice Glastron.

SHHH- don't tell him!
He will probaly shoot me.
A wad of fiberglass floated up into the bell housing and was rubbing . Mechanic thinks I should go ahead & replace starter it had alot of water in it.. It's the old style.

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: my expensive no plug story

Install an auto bilge pump, you will hear the bilge come on probably before you are off the trailer.
I put my boat in with no plug, wife backed me in, started engine and was going to check the bilge for ?, all of a sudden both bilge pump came on, quickly told the wife not to move the truck, re hooked the boat to the trailer and all was well.
Had the bilge pumps not been automatic I might have had her pull out and away.
Salt water is bad for the motor.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: my expensive no plug story

Rethink your strategy now! Get the $2 clip for the boat keychain that the plug fits into. If you go to put the key in the ignition, there's no way you'll forget the plug.

This works good...I've never forgotten the plug yet. Generally put it in before I leave the house and check again at the ramp. I gues just hearing stories from others has helped me not make their mistakes...

 

[oops!]

Re: my expensive no plug story

may i suggest a pre launch inspection routine.

at the prep area before launch....make a routine....plug in ...trailer safety chain on...muffs off..trailer straps off. drive up.

a good pre launch, is identical to a pilots walk around before a flight.....it can save you a world of hurt

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: my expensive no plug story

elkhunter is right. a float switch is more of a safety feature than convenience and it serves most boaters sufficiently as an alarm.

 

[relocyo]

Re: my expensive no plug story

SHHH- don't tell him!
He will probaly shoot me.
A wad of fiberglass floated up into the bell housing and was rubbing . Mechanic thinks I should go ahead & replace starter it had alot of water in it.. It's the old style.

OoOOooOohhhhhh, im teeeeelllllliinnn...... Lol... Hope its not too bad, or your right, he probably will shoot you....

 

[bruceb58]

Re: my expensive no plug story

Definitely replace the starter. They can't survive a dunking even if its fresh water.

 

[jprice]

Re: my expensive no plug story

I did the same stupid thing a few weeks ago.
The real dumb part of it is that I didn't even realize it until after we got back to the dock a few hours later. My excuse is that I've been having some planing issues for a while, so I just thought the problem was getting worse. Was pissed, but decided to make the best of the day, and limped to the nearest cove so the kid and dog could go swimming. A few hours later we're back to the dock, get the boat on the trailer, and I go to unscrew the plug, and it basically just falls out. Then my son and I are watching it drain out... for a while, a long while. "That's a lot of water" he says. "It sure is" I say, while in my mind I'm thinking "what a dumb*****!"
The auto bilge pump never kicked on, I'm lucky we didn't sink. Thankfully this thing is virtually unsinkable (at least that's what I've been told... something about the double hull design).

may i suggest a pre launch inspection routine.
at the prep area before launch....make a routine....plug in ...trailer safety chain on...muffs off..trailer straps off. drive up.

This is exactly what I do now. I've gotten a little OCD with it too... double, triple and quadruple checking everything. :facepalm:

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: my expensive no plug story

I have a pre launch routine-=Jay always kept the plug in a certain drink holder- I do the same but I just missed it.
I live less than 1/2 mile from 5 boat ramps and the only thing I do at the ramp is release the winch strap & turn on the blower.-- I don't get over 20 mph on the way and dont even use tie downs.- load everything & put up the bimini in the drive way--and put in the plug.

There is a local guy that rebuilds starters, alternators, works on gen sets that i have used in the past and is a great guy that is selling me a refurbished / updated starter for a really good price.
I think it hurt my pride mostly and knowing all the hard work put in the restoration to do something so dumb. But it will be fine.

 

[fishfeatures]

Re: my expensive no plug story

Dang, buggering up friscoboaters beutiful restore... Shame on you... good luck, hope its not too expensive of a mistake...

is that Frisco's old glastron???