Stupid drain plug question

[slmiller1]

I've got a brass transom drain plug that I cannot get off. I'd like to drain some water that's inside the hull and it hasn't ran back to the bilge area. Is it counterclockwise to loosen? It looks like this:

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...L=true&storeNum=6&subdeptNum=502&classNum=698

 

[craigman]

Re: Stupid drain plug question

Yep, counter clockwise.
Just remember,,
lefty loosey,, righty tighty!

Craig

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Stupid drain plug question

lefty loosely, tighty righty............or.............until you can get it off, try a shop vac..........

 

[slmiller1]

Re: Stupid drain plug question

thanks. I've never taken the thing out but have tried to no avail.

I've tried the shop vac and that works great but just wanted to take that plug out.

In the Hull (under a plastic door where you can store skis and stuff) water colletects. At the end, there's a hole that I assume runs to the rear where the bilge pump is. Water never makes it back there but stays in this hull area.

My question is when you remove the drain plug is that water coming from that hull or the bilge are or neither? first time boat owner here. thanks.

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Stupid drain plug question

If I'm understanding right it sounds like water is collecting in your ski locker but not draining out to the bilge and being pumped out or able to be drained out by removing your transom plug? If thats the case something must be clogged somewhere? all closed areas ie ski lockers, cabin floors etc should have a drain that let the water get down to the belly of the boat and by gravity flow to the rear where usually the bilge pump is and the transom plug. have you poked around in the drain in the ski locker area to see if water will drain out of there?

 

[GXL205 Deke]

Re: Stupid drain plug question

What RWilson2526 said. Must be plugged. My brass plug was on tight like that to the point it made me nervous, but it was indeed lefty loosey! Just had to give it some ooomph!

 

[chris75h]

Re: Stupid drain plug question

Not to highjack the thread here but do you guys use teflon tape around the plug or do you just cinch it up tight? My Plug was in so tight that it bent the screws holding the plug in.

 

[GXL205 Deke]

Re: Stupid drain plug question

No tape, and never that tight. Just cinch it.

 

[slmiller1]

Re: Stupid drain plug question

Not to highjack the thread here but do you guys use teflon tape around the plug or do you just cinch it up tight? My Plug was in so tight that it bent the screws holding the plug in.

Mine is on super tight and last time I tried to remove I could see the whole backing moving which would bend the screws. If the backing moves and the screws which hold it into the transom get bent, is that gonna mess it up totally?

 

[GXL205 Deke]

Re: Stupid drain plug question

Wow! That is crazy tight. I would hook it up and run to my boat doctor before jacking it up that bad. I would never torque on it so hard the backing wiggles out and bends the screws.

 

[slmiller1]

Re: Stupid drain plug question

bottom line question:

Is it critical for folks to take out drain plug routinely? I've heard some say they never do it....

 

[GXL205 Deke]

Re: Stupid drain plug question

I suppose not. May just be personal preference. I like no water what so ever in my bilge area, so I remove every time it comes out of the water. Some folks don't because they will launch and forget to put it back and sink da boat. I don't forget plain and simple, and my bilge stays dry and and no mildew. Bilge pumps cant get every drop.

I just don't want all the moisture and humidity trapped in my engine compartment.

For the inside of a boat....dry is not a bad thing, I don't want a stinky boat.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Stupid drain plug question

Have you tried a little bit of penetrating oil soaking on it? the threads are pretty course so it should work its way in there if you do it a few times and let it sit for a day or so. Also make sure the wrench you are using is snug as possible if using a crescent, the material is soft and easily rounded if its in that tight. No teflon needed and never needs to be that tight, if it leaks when not gorilla tight then replace it all not too tough and should function properly. Water sitting in the ski locker can lead to many bad things(see resto section) take a hanger or a fish tape and poke out the hole in the aft wall of the ski locker until the tape runs thru to the bilge. Once the tube is clear and the plug is out crank up the front of the trailer as high as possible and flush out the ski locker and bilge with some simple green and hot water. Might even want to pick up a new plug to have a spare in the boats glove box. I remove mine EVERY time the boat comes out of the water AND when stored for any length of time. Water trapped in boats is a killer.

 

[slmiller1]

Re: Stupid drain plug question

Have you tried a little bit of penetrating oil soaking on it? the threads are pretty course so it should work its way in there if you do it a few times and let it sit for a day or so. Also make sure the wrench you are using is snug as possible if using a crescent, the material is soft and easily rounded if its in that tight. No teflon needed and never needs to be that tight, if it leaks when not gorilla tight then replace it all not too tough and should function properly. Water sitting in the ski locker can lead to many bad things(see resto section) take a hanger or a fish tape and poke out the hole in the aft wall of the ski locker until the tape runs thru to the bilge. Once the tube is clear and the plug is out crank up the front of the trailer as high as possible and flush out the ski locker and bilge with some simple green and hot water. Might even want to pick up a new plug to have a spare in the boats glove box. I remove mine EVERY time the boat comes out of the water AND when stored for any length of time. Water trapped in boats is a killer.

Man, what a great response and thanks for explaining it so thoroughly. I love this site and folks on here willing to help.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Stupid drain plug question

If you twist the screws off no big deal.Remove the whole thing and buy a new one.
Turn it offset from where the old screws were,bed it in 5200,drill pilot holes and put the new screws in.

No way it should have ever been put in that tight.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Stupid drain plug question

Mine is on super tight and last time I tried to remove I could see the whole backing moving which would bend the screws. If the backing moves and the screws which hold it into the transom get bent, is that gonna mess it up totally?

Do not put the boat in the water UNTIL you reseal the flange (what you called the "backing") to the transom. If it moved, then the water seal is most likely gone...and water will make it to the wood surrounding it.

Since someone tightened the garboard plug too tight (it is a pipe thread, and should only be snug) you need to leave it alone, and remove the screws that hold the flange to the boat. Once the entire unit is removed you can work on the plug, or even better, replace with a new complete unit. Be sure to use some 3M 5200 (or 4200) behind the flange when you reinstall, and use sealant on the screws. Then when you install the plug, go to finger tight and 1/4 turn, or less.

Happy boating!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Stupid drain plug question

If you are storing the boat with the bow lower than the stern water cannot get to the bilge because it cannot run uphill.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Stupid drain plug question

pipe wrench.

If the "backing" moves, replace or at least reseal it.

 

[reelnative]

Re: Stupid drain plug question

allways pull your plugs from your boat when not in the water and store them on your dash so you can see them if you had too many beers before launching and didnt put them in, water in your hull will destroy all types of things elect wiring to bilge pump, wood flooring, the motor if its an i/o ect, to get that garbord plug out take a 9/16 wrench and tap it with a hammer it should come out, after getting it out inspect the outer housing to make sure you didnt break the bedding ( the 5200 that makes it waterproof ) if you did pull the outer housing and re-install 5200

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Stupid drain plug question

"if you had too many beers before launching"

Now there's a sobering thought...

Start with the drive to the ramp trailering the boat and end with the kids on the tube in the crowded lake....