well, now that is out of the way

[68C15]

Sunday morning I graduated from class one (those who have not forgot the plug) to class two (those who have).

wife and I got her brother to stay the night so we could hit the lake nice and early for the morning bites without having to tend to the boys. on the way she reminded me to put the plug in. to which I said "I will do that when I take off the transom straps". 15 minutes later we are in the parking lot loading the boat with our gear, lunch etc. and prepping the boat. she heads down to the ramp while I back the Time Machine into the water. she takes the dock lines and helps pull it off the trailer and ties it to the dock while I go park the Blazer. seeing as how it is just after sunrise and we are the only ones at the lake I take my time walking back. I don't want to spill my coffee while running now do I? she climbs in and I was just about ready to as well when she says " umm, I think you forgot the plug" while the back 1/3 of the deck is covered in water. I quickly jumped into action and said "you see that switch marked 'PUMP', turn it on NOW". thank God I had the presence of mind to install a new bilge pump and discharge kit 2 weeks earlier. man those things can move water fast!

now that I got that out of the way I no longer have to worry about the first time. what SHT is next?

 

[nitsuj]

Re: well, now that is out of the way

Man, the dreaded plug. If it wasnt for the plug, I think the SHT forum would shut down due to lack of traffic. One day, I'll find a foolproof method to remind people to put the plug in, then I'll market it and get rich. I've yet to forget the plug in my current boat, but I did forget on my old Glastron once or twice. Both times I managed to catch it quick and get the plug in. Then took the boat out, got it up to plane and pulled the plug, all the water drained out the back. Which is good because that boat didn't have a pump. That boat made it easy to forget. The plug was mounted in a well under the splash well and out of sight. It would have to take on a lot of water before you noticed. On my current boat, the plug is outside the doghouse and right at deck level. If I did forget, the water would be noticed right away. (I hope.)

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: well, now that is out of the way

I was just about ready to as well when she says " umm, I think you forgot the plug" I forgot it once, Just ONCE!!

now that I got that out of the way I no longer have to worry about the first time. what SHT is next? If it's an I/O, Don't forget to raise the sterndrive!!

We live and learn!!

 

[RepoMan207]

Re: well, now that is out of the way

Someone needs to educate me......why are people forgetting there plugs out??? I leave mine in through out the season. I make sure the bilge is empty once I get home from the ramp and thats it. Is there any reason why I should be taking the plug out?

 

[gypsysoul]

Re: well, now that is out of the way

because if you leave it in all the time you can't join the club of people who have left it out. that is the only way to become a member, and it is a very elite club!

 

[nitsuj]

Re: well, now that is out of the way

Someone needs to educate me......why are people forgetting there plugs out??? I leave mine in through out the season. I make sure the bilge is empty once I get home from the ramp and thats it. Is there any reason why I should be taking the plug out?

Yes, there is a good reason not to leave it in. Because if you read the SHT forum long enough, you'll see that some people have left the plug in and the boat filled with rain on the trailer. If you store your boat indoors, this isn't an issue.

 

[RepoMan207]

Re: well, now that is out of the way

Yes, there is a good reason not to leave it in. Because if you read the SHT forum long enough, you'll see that some people have left the plug in and the boat filled with rain on the trailer. If you store your boat indoors, this isn't an issue.

ahhhh. I am one of those guys that covers his boat when it's out of the water......PIA, but worth the trouble.

 

[RepoMan207]

Re: well, now that is out of the way

because if you leave it in all the time you can't join the club of people who have left it out. that is the only way to become a member, and it is a very elite club!

I am a life long member of Murphy's Law & the Damned....thats enough for me.

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: well, now that is out of the way

Someone needs to educate me......why are people forgetting there plugs out??? I leave mine in through out the season. I make sure the bilge is empty once I get home from the ramp and thats it. Is there any reason why I should be taking the plug out?

My boat is kept indoors without the plug.I keep the bow raised to allow any water that might have gotten under the deck to drain and/or evaporate until the next use.

 

[Thad]

Re: well, now that is out of the way

My boat is kept indoors without the plug.I keep the bow raised to allow any water that might have gotten under the deck to drain and/or evaporate until the next use.

With you 100%. Mine is kept indoors, plug out for the same reason. Any water accumulation anywhere in the boat will find its way to the bilge. From there, it can drain as it pleases.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: well, now that is out of the way

With you 100%. Mine is kept indoors, plug out for the same reason. Any water accumulation anywhere in the boat will find its way to the bilge. From there, it can drain as it pleases.

same here... plug always out, haven't forgot it yet. i've seen trailers collapse from boats that have filled with water. (my boat is normally stored inside, but has been known to spend some time outside if i'm working on projects in the garage)

 

[Maclin]

Re: well, now that is out of the way

Covers rip or blow off while no one is looking, even a small breach is enough for rain to get in. Even inside things can happen, pipes burst, storms blow out windows and drench things. Inside is a great place UNTIL it isn't!

That bilge drain hole also heeps heavier vapors from accumulating.

Bow up and plug out is always good...

 

[greenbush future]

Re: well, now that is out of the way

Even with the cover on my boat, it will still collect some water, I need to reseal it. But I pull the plug after use, and it sits covered in the drive way covered all summer long.

 

[dlindeblad]

Re: well, now that is out of the way

This is why I'm glad I have an inflatible. Even when the plug is out, there is a one way flapper valve so water only goes out, not in. If it didn't, knowing my mental faculties, I would be in "The Club".

 

[indy440]

Re: well, now that is out of the way

ahhhh. I am one of those guys that covers his boat when it's out of the water......PIA, but worth the trouble.

me too, if I dont plan I using it for a while I double cover it (the snap on canvas cover and then a tarp over that). The canvas lets in a little moisture sometimes...

 

[RepoMan207]

Re: well, now that is out of the way

I use a trailable boat cover, I haven't had any leaks or seepage yet, but I also treat mine every Fall and Spring with canvas protectant, and replace it all together every other year. I did have a problem with temperature this summer, so I installed those new supports with the vent caps.....they work great. My bilge pump is also automatic, So in the event of catastrophic failure she'll watch out for herself until master returns....which is never more then a day or two anyway.



Thanks all for the education, all very good reasonings.

 

[grahamh]

Re: well, now that is out of the way

I've heard that clipping the plug to the boat keychain can help, that way you'll notice it's not in the boat before you leave the dock.

 

[cribber]

Re: well, now that is out of the way

I can't get my boat in the garage so it sits on the driveway double covered but water will manage to accumulate plus I pull the plug to help get moisture out. I haven't joined this club... yet. I keep my plug tightened in a small crescent wrench in back with the swing-away tongue bolt attached. I can't connect the trailer without seeing the plug attached so both go hand in hand and put the plug in first before connecting the trailer. One day I'll get distracted and will join the "club" and why I have two extra plugs in the engine area and two in my tool bag.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: well, now that is out of the way

Man, the dreaded plug. If it wasnt for the plug, I think the SHT forum would shut down due to lack of traffic. One day, I'll find a foolproof method to remind people to put the plug in, then I'll market it and get rich. I've yet to forget the plug in my current boat, but I did forget on my old Glastron once or twice. Both times I managed to catch it quick and get the plug in. Then took the boat out, got it up to plane and pulled the plug, all the water drained out the back. Which is good because that boat didn't have a pump. That boat made it easy to forget. The plug was mounted in a well under the splash well and out of sight. It would have to take on a lot of water before you noticed. On my current boat, the plug is outside the doghouse and right at deck level. If I did forget, the water would be noticed right away. (I hope.)

Does anyone have a clip on their plug to hook it onto the winch handle when you take it out of the drain hole? Just asking!

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: well, now that is out of the way

... One day I'll get distracted and will join the "club" and why I have two extra plugs in the engine area and two in my tool bag.

Yep, we don't leave the plug out because we're incredibly stupid; it's because of those darn distractions. You know, things like wives, kids, dogs, cell phones, friends who want to "help," etc.