Plug on the inside or outside of the boat?

[mike64]

I was told when I bought my first boat this year to put the plug in from the inside, and that's how I've always done it. I use a snap handle plug like this:
http://www.iboats.com/Stainless_Sna...18550485--**********.684537277--view_id.39644

But several times when I've been launching, someone will say "You forgot your plug!!" since they can't see it. Do a lot of people put it in from the outside? Seems like it would be more likely to get caught on something and pulled out by accident. Also, sometimes I see I'm getting some water slowly dripping in the bilge because I didn't tighten the plug enough. With it on the inside, I just give it another half-turn and I'm good.

 

[QC]

Re: Plug on the inside or outside of the boat?

You've got to remember that most boat's plugs cannot be easily reached from the inside. The advantage though to inside is you can literally use it to get water out . . . With a boat on plane water will rush out of the drain hole, so if you have a leak or take on a lot of water in a small boat without a bilge pump you can get her on a slow plane (bow high) and then pull the plug and the water will do it's thing . . .

 

[ziggy]

Re: Plug on the inside or outside of the boat?

i do it from the outside. i can't reach the inside though. qc's got the ticket for a great reason to do it from the inside. used that trick many a time in the past on other boats than i have now....

good thing about putting it in from the outside. water pressure is forceing the plug into the boat drain hole naturally. let alone that the plugs expands when installing.... i use the t-handle type plug. screw it tight. never had it ripped out by anything. but i suppose it could happen.....

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Plug on the inside or outside of the boat?

I don't think it matters too much.

 

[mike64]

Re: Plug on the inside or outside of the boat?

never had it ripped out by anything. but i suppose it could happen.....

My brother-in-law loaned his boat to his brother once. Only once, because his brother quickly sank it. He claimed it was because the outboard was banging against the plug and caused it to fall out. Of course, he most likely forgot the plug and was trying to save face.

 

[Hitech]

Re: Plug on the inside or outside of the boat?

I'd never thought of putting it in from the inside. But because mine is even harder to get to from the outside (the roller on the back of the trailer is in the way), I've strarted putting it in from the inside.

Thanks for posting this. It's something I just never would have thought of.

 

[Old Tyme]

Re: Plug on the inside or outside of the boat?

I also use the snap handle type and insert it from the inside. I find it hard to understand water pressure pushing it in.

What I would like however, is one of the screw plug types that I once saw. It screws into the threaded hole from the outside. Looks snazzy

My Cruisers has a t-handle on what looks like a pipe plug that screws into a hole on the bottom of the bilge in front of the engine.

I, like a lot of others, did the "oh sh!t' thing at the ramp and found myself bailing water out of my boat.

Brian

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Plug on the inside or outside of the boat?

Old Tyme == you said you find it hard to understand water pressure pushing the plug in! What happens when you pull the plug with the boat in the water? I would expect water to rush in -- correct?? The same pressure that is causing water to run in would force the plug in tighter. It's simple physics. That same pressure acting on a plug installed from the inside would tend to force the plug into the boat. The net result is that under way the drain hole is above the water line so "which direction" the plug is installed is a moot point since one isn't even needed under those conditions. Once off plane or at rest, the drain is again below the water line so the plug obviously is necessary. In the end, it doesn't matter which way its installed. It is suggested however that if installed from the outside that a "T" handle brass plug be used.

 

[mike64]

Re: Plug on the inside or outside of the boat?

The same pressure that is causing water to run in would force the plug in tighter. It's simple physics.

I could be wrong, but I'm thinking the water pressure a foot or so below the surface can't be too strong.