Transom Drain Plug repair

[tyler_bee]

The transom drain plug in this skiff I just bought had a feeble attempt to seal it's leak with silicone.

Tonight I got it pulled out and now need to patch some holes and replace the old one with a new one.

There are a few nut/bolts still remaining that I am just going to cut off the heads of and shove into the hull so I can pull them out through the hole in the pic.

I have some 2 part resin epoxy that i've used to repair chips in gelcoat before and it cures rock solid.

I was thinking about just lubing up the new drain plug insert with the epoxy and gooshing it back into the hole.

Will this work okay? I see some replacement techniques using silicone types but I just have no faith in that stuff.

Any suggestions?

Is this the "Right way" to do this?

 

[Woodbinekeith]

Re: Transom Drain Plug repair

What type of plug are you going to use as a replacement? Ever since a friction plug worked loose on me, I thought those brass plugs with the actual screw in plug would be a much better idea. Any thoughts on one vs. the other?

 

[tyler_bee]

Re: Transom Drain Plug repair

What type of plug are you going to use as a replacement? Ever since a friction plug worked loose on me, I thought those brass plugs with the actual crew in plug would be a much better idea. Any thoughts on one vs. the other?

I'm hearing I should go with a brass one but the descriptions say;

1/2 inch IPS. Brass plug. Falnge outside diameter 2 inches.

The current Vinyl/Plastic flange I took out has an outside diameter of slightly over 1 in. The hole that it goes it is almost 1 1/4 diameter.

I realize the outside diameter of the brass plug flange is 2 inches, but it seems like a big hole for the plug. Know what I mean?

 

[PitchFork]

Re: Transom Drain Plug repair

I use one like this found on iBoats. What I like about it is you never lose it and if you forget to screw it in the bilge will not fill up fast because pressure of the water will push the plug in the hole and block water. I have left my plug out a few times and have never had the bilge fill up quick like I have seen with brass plugs.

 

[tyler_bee]

Re: Transom Drain Plug repair

I use one like this found on iBoats. What I like about it is you never lose it and if you forget to screw it in the bilge will not fill up fast because pressure of the water will push the plug in the hole and block water. I have left my plug out a few times and have never had the bilge fill up quick like I have seen with brass plugs.

Ahh, interesting. How long would you say the part the went into the hole in the transom was? And inch or so? Appx, what outside diameter?

 

[howlnmad]

Re: Transom Drain Plug repair

It's below the water line... 3M 5200 for a sealant and the hardware that comes with the new one you choose. You should probe the transom for water damage with a small screwdriver or dental pick while the drain tube is out and repair that hull with the same stuff it's made of.

 

[tyler_bee]

Re: Transom Drain Plug repair

It's below the water line... 3M 5200 for a sealant and the hardware that comes with the new one you choose. You should probe the transom for water damage with a small screwdriver or dental pick while the drain tube is out and repair that hull with the same stuff it's made of.

Thanks, I poked and felt around inside and all the foam feels Hard and Smooth. Visually, it looks good.

The garboard hole has nice clean edges in the glass and I don't feel any flaking.

The boat sat for awhile un-covered but had the garboard drain plug out. Some obvious rain water.

She has never shown me a steady stream of water drain out but on the right angle, maby a drop every few minutes. Is this "Dry" enough to go ahead with my repairs and seal her up?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Transom Drain Plug repair

Dry it and replace the tube Seal it with 3m5200 available at Home Depot in smaller tubes that will not break the bank.

 

[howlnmad]

Re: Transom Drain Plug repair

Like Bob said, get it dry first and get the small tube of 5200 from the big box store and do it.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Transom Drain Plug repair

I'd replace it with a nice bronze garboard drain sealed with 3m5200 as suggested.

 

[Stachi]

Re: Transom Drain Plug repair

Here is the one I installed...got it here on iboats...its an anti dumb***** type...lol

http://www.iboats.com/Seasense-One-...7903206--**********.425578847--view_id.237498

 

[towtruck1]

Re: Transom Drain Plug repair

The transom drain plug in this skiff I just bought had a feeble attempt to seal it's leak with silicone.

I have some 2 part resin epoxy that i've used to repair chips in gelcoat before and it cures rock solid.

Is this the "Right way" to do this?

NO! Do not use epoxy on your boat. Gel Coat does not adhere to epoxy. You need polyester resin. After you get the screws out, remove loose chips of gelcoat, sealer etc and sand that area of the transom with #220 wet dry to get all the old dirt etc away from there. Clean out the inside of the holes the same way, & fill the screw holes with polyester resin & bits of glass cloth. Do not come level with the GelCoat. Then use a gelcoat repair kit to repair the gelcoat. After it cures, sand smooth ending with #600 & then polish. It will look like new. Then install the new drain plug, being careful to use new hole positions.

Do NOT install the drain plug with epoxy or the like. If you ever have to remove it or do another repair, you'll have a big mess on your hands. Do it right the first time & use a proper sealer.
Here is a helpful link, but I would still talk to your marine dealer about what to use.
http://www.boatus.com/boattech/casey/35.htm

This is the drain plug that originally came with the boat. We have never had an issue with ours. There is no little thingy sticking out that one could accidentally bump & maybe damage something. Its what I would use, but it's your call.
http://www.iboats.com/Garboard-Plug/dm/*******.700550596--**********.789369008--view_id.39640

Let your boat sit in the garage for a few days with the nose down so any water does not flow towards the transom. In a hot or dry environment, the are should dry out nicely pretty fast. (BTW, where are you from?)

 

[towtruck1]

Re: Transom Drain Plug repair

I would use one of the following to plug the holes below the waterline.
http://www.iboats.com/Seacare-Fiber...00550596--**********.636202607--view_id.38661
http://www.iboats.com/Fiberglass-Re...00550596--**********.636202607--view_id.38355
Remember, polyester resin needs an ABSENCE of air to cure properly, so you'll need to put a little something at the back of the holes so air doesn't get to it.

Then do the gelcoat seperately...
This is what I use to do gelcoat repairs. I have been very happy with it. It is white, almost identical color to the bogie. No color mixing required. Pretty sure it comes with hardener, but can't guarantee it...
http://www.evercoat.com/productDetail.aspx?pID=105

Here is one place that actually has it. Don't know why iboats doesn't....
http://www.wholesalemarine.com/p/F-E-5673/

Wow.. I just did find it on iboats... whaddya know.
http://www.iboats.com/Gel-Kote/dm/*******.700550596--**********.636202607--view_id.37998