One more "no plug" idiot :)

[gadget73]

Re: One more "no plug" idiot

At my old job, I sunk a customer's boat by forgetting two of the plugs. I stuck the one in the middle and we dropped the boat in without realizing the thing had 3 plugs on the transom. Later that night, someone noticed it was listing badly at the dock. An hour later and it was hanging off the dock only by the ropes. Needless to say my boss was not amused. In my defense, it was an hour after we'd knocked off for the day, and my boss had fed me several beers by that point so I wasn't at 100%. He didn't fire me for it, which frankly surprises me. I did hear from absolutely *everyone* at the marina "is the plug in?" before any boat launch following that incident. It got annoying, but I didn't forget it again.

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: One more "no plug" idiot

What is the big deal?????

I have never forgotten the plug and here's how.

I never take it out. I've owned a jetski for 4 years, done the same thing. There is never a DROP of water in the jetski so that's easy.

The boat does get water in it, but it's just rain water and all I do use the bilge pump to get that out.....other than that, I leave the plug in 24/7/365

I think the "I have to take out the plug" is just another old wives tale...

 

[xjcj3a]

Re: One more "no plug" idiot

you do realize that the pump doesnt get out all water? it leaves a certain amount in. i figure its worth the 3 seconds of work to make sure its dry while being stored. but thats just me.

 

[Rogue427]

Re: One more "no plug" idiot

I must confess. I am now a member of the no plug club. Usally my little one reminds me but my wife and daughters came later while me and my son launched. I parked the truck and walked to the boat to see water running out the side. I grabed the plug and jumped in. Glad the boat has a auto bilge pump.

 

[ttownguy]

Re: One more "no plug" idiot

I'll add my name to the list...

A friend and I were talking on my boat after being in the water for about 20 minutes. I noticed a wet spot forming in a corner of the lower deck...and noticed the transom sitting lower than normal...Oh ****! We had a bunch of water below deck. After seeing the water in the bilge area, the first thing I noticed was that the auto bilge wasn't working. I hit the manual switch and the bilging started.

My buddy reached down and felt the plug...I knew I put it in there. We must have a hole in the hull! After some head scratch, my buddy felt for the plug again and noticed a hole below where the plug was installed. Ooops!

Rewind...I had just replaced the plug a few days earlier, but couldn't find a nut that fit it such that I could attach it to the keeper chain that hangs out of the drain hole. Went to put the drain plug in right before launch, pushed the keeper chain out of the way into the drain hole, then slid the plug into the live well drain! Der!

Fast forward...I decided to run the boat to suction the water out. Just about on plane and the engine stalls! Oh **** 2! To make a long story short, the water in the hull goes to the back of the boat and into the vent line when you try to accelarate...water in the fuel isn't good! Put the plug in the right hole, and enjoyed the rest of the day riding Seadoos from my bilging boat.

I'm a pilot too and have owned 5 airplanes...the last was a V-tail Bonanza, a high performance aircraft with retractable gear. They have the same saying about pilots and forgetting to put the landing gear down...those that have, and those that will. Fortunately, I went thru the landing checklist three times before every landing, so it never happened to me. The checklist essentially involved the acronym "GUMP"...Gas (switched to the fullest tank), Undercarriage (gear down and locked), Mixture (full rich) and Prop (highest pitch).

I haven't thought it out yet, but I'm going to come up with a good acronym for the pre-launch...and find a nut that fits the new plug!

 

[northern'r]

Re: One more "no plug" idiot

Been there, I was proudly taking my wife out on our nearby lake to show her that te boat does not have a disliking to her"she badmouthed it from the beginning" and me being a dumb%$%# forgot to install the plug. needless to say we barely managed to get back to shore less than five minutes after launch, 27 min of draining later she wanted to go back home guess I know now why I only fish alone...... must be something subliminal.

 

[P 0 P E Y E]

Re: One more "no plug" idiot

Everyone has to make a mistake once in a while...we are human beings.

Your story might just save my sorry stern........lol thank you

That is till I forget it. Then I do the same

On my whaler, actually My kids 11 footer cause I sent him to the DMV and he was smart enough to come out on top. We keep the boat in the water with the plug out....so I dint have to bail it, get my socks wet and scurry to put in as 220 lbs of ballast causes a flood,

 

[gpenton]

Re: One more "no plug" idiot

I keep my boat plug chained to the splash well on my 16' V-hull aluminum. the chain usually stays look around or near the primer bulb so when I stop in the "untie" lane, I pump the bulb and push the plug!

 

[AAWhaler]

Re: One more "no plug" idiot

I have done one of these once too. I had my dad back the boat onto the ramp. I take off my shoes throw them in the back of the boat, put the engine down, unhook the transom straps, and hop in the boat. He backs down the ramp, I start the motor, when the boat begins to float I walk up to the bow disconnect the winch strap and put the engine in reverse. I back out of the ramp area, as I am getting some reverse speed I feel water on my feet, "Oh great, I forgot the plug AGAIN", and again "Oh great my new shoes are in the back of the boat. So i reach back there grab my shoes throw 'em up front, and put the engine in neutral and wave to my Dad to let him know everything is fine, the plan was to meet back at my slip. I put the engine in gear, reach back put the plug in and drive across the harbor to my slip. Oh did I mention I have a 13' Boston Whaler, just another reason to own one. Did I have you for a minute?