Question please

[SA Cop]

When it comes to putting a in plug, I've always thought the way to do it was from the inside pointing out. I have a friend that says the best way is to put it outside pointing in. This is probably a stupid question but what is the recommended way? Thanks. (if he's wrong you can bet I'll bust his chops)

 

[PondTunes]

Re: Question please

If you put it in from the inside at least if it comes out it isn't at the bottom of the lake!

 

[mrfixitman40]

Re: Question please

i used to run mine on the inside until i put my new fuel tank in and can't reach it so i am running it on the outside and carry 3 extras at all times lol. seems to work either way just the same.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Question please

built in tanks, Inboard/outboards have no choice. outboards which ever you choose. if skiing, swimming, diving, i prefer inside, as you can pull the plug, when just on plane, and drain the excess water brought aboard by passengers.

 

[QC]

Re: Question please

There are many boats where inside is impossible to reach . . .

On the other hand if you can reach it, say on a small aluminum without a bilge pump, you can do a pretty tricky maneuver to get water out if the plug is on the inside. While on plane you can pull the plug and let the water drain out It works but the downside is obvious . . . and if you're not on plane, well, uh, forget about this trick fast

Edit: Great minds . . . ^^^^

 

[Esox]

Re: Question please

What they said....^^^^^^^

On my 18' aluminum it goes in from the outside and on my 14' aluminum it goes in from the inside since i can reach it.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Question please

If you can reach it from inside easily then do it that way. One thing to consider is the type of plug. The lever-type where the lever action is used to expand the plug should not be used on the outside as water pressure or even just vibrations can trip the lever back to open and the plug could come out. For outside plugging the t-handle type screw action ones are best.

I switched to the t-handle type when I noticed one time that my trusty old lever type had the lever straight out after being in the water all day. It pulled out WAY too easily. I do not know why the lever tripped or after that why it stayed in! But I am glad it did.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Question please

At rest the drain is below the water line and if the plug is installed from the outside, water pressure will try to push it inward, thus making a good seal. Under way, the drain is out of the water so no water could get in anyway. Agree that the "T" handle style is best for outside installation. But in the end, it's a matter of preference. If you can reach the plug easily, and especially if you don't have a bilge pump, install it from the inside.

 

[Hashi]

Re: Question please

In or out, doesn't really matter. You might get some people saying "Hey!...Your plugs not in!" as you're going down the ramp, though.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Question please

Mine screws in from the outside.

 

[QC]

Re: Question please

Spinner, we're talking about bilge plugs . . . Jeez, sometimes the mods need a mod . . .

 

[kwikk9]

Re: Question please

On my 13' Whaler, it goes inside. Easy to give a visual check and easy to pull out for a quick drain maneuver. I keep 2 spares. One under the seat, the other attached by the winch as a reminder.

 

[Caveman Charlie]

Re: Question please

Even on plane my bilge plug is not going to be out of the water enough to pull it. I suppose though, that there could be suction there though caused by all the water moving past. Is that what you guys meant?

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Question please

I am going with the T handle myself, my boat still isn't ready for the water yet. Although I do have boating experience. But talking about maneuver to get water out if the plug is on the inside, my uncle had to do that a many of times to save his but from getting wet . I'm not saying go right out and try it. But there may be a time were it will come down to having to pull the plug while on plane. I have no idea how my other uncle got away from sinking his Fisher boat he forgot to put the plug in. He and his co pilot din't know it until there feet started getting wet , nearly a new boat to. On top of that his sump pump quit working, I don't know if the pump quit before or durring the action.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Question please

Even on plane my bilge plug is not going to be out of the water enough to pull it. I suppose though, that there could be suction there though caused by all the water moving past. Is that what you guys meant?

In my opinion Yup, there should be suction. Its not like nobody has never done this maneuver. I may half to do it in the future myself.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Question please

If the hole is out the back it will drain on plane.If it is in the bottom there is usually a little shield that allows the water to rush past the hole.It actually sucks the water out a pretty good rate.On my boat it only needs to be barely on plane.

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: Question please

My drain plug screws in from the outside as well. Who are you refering too bu saying spinner? SBN? I think he has the same setup as me. I use the brass type drain plug that has a bolt type head on it. Its brass and works great.

 

[QC]

Re: Question please

Yes, Spinner is SBN, and I also have a Garbord plug . . .

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Question please

Whatever I feel like doing. Never lost a plug, even those inserted from the outside while banging around timber looking for bass, nor being pushed out while water skiers mounted the boat from the stern (with the engine off of course).

I prefer the one with a hole in it to put your finger in and usually put some vaseline on it to help it out.

Agree on small boats with tiller engines and no bilge pump, inside is the only way.

Mark

 

[Maclin]

Re: Question please

My bilge drain is just above the water line, about an inch. It is an I/O so the plug goes in from the outside. I always positioned the plug lever such that when I pushed it towards the boat to set the plug that it was angled up away from the water. The drive transom mount limits the lever placement. That one trip the lever managed to get pulled straight back somehow. Freaked me right on out when I went down to drain the bilge on the ramp after retrieval. I went straight to WalMart on the way home and bought some t-handle types.