When do you put your plug in?

[jack1130]

Re: When do you put your plug in?

I try to keep the routine the same every time as to ingrain it in my memory at the ramp.

1. Put plug in
2. Take off trailer tie-downs
3. Remove motor mount

 

[dkorzun21]

Re: When do you put your plug in?

I like to put it in a the boat launch because thats what Im used to and was told to do. Like to do it the same why every time I take the boat out because that is somthing you dont want to forget

 

[hootyhooo]

Re: When do you put your plug in?

I built 2 canoes into my boat so i now have two plugs... after forgetting to put them in awhile back, I now keep them attached to the tow chains and install them before hooking up the trailer

 

[freezer41]

Re: When do you put your plug in?

Plug in at the ramp prep area, when it comes out it is tied to the steering wheel with a shoelace

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: When do you put your plug in?

I always pull my plug when I get out of the water. Even if a boat don't leak there seems to be water that gets in there, usually from splashing or your shoes. Usually there isn't enough to drain but the air flow helps what is there evaporate. Even a small puddle isn't good to leave in there. After I pull it out I have a clip on it that I clip to the bow clip. That way I can't undo the bow without seeing it.

 

[JZammetti]

Re: When do you put your plug in?

At the staging area I jump in the boat, unlock the "glove box" take the plug and dedicated wrench, jump out and install plug. When done, wrench comes back out, remove plug, pug plug and wrench back in the box, lock the box.

TADA

 

[wca_tim]

Re: When do you put your plug in?

when I'm idling away from the ramp and feel the water lapping at my feet... yell Oh ####, scramble franticaly about looking for a plug or something that will work in it's place, turn the engine off, jump out the back and put it in... then get back in, remember the bilge pump, turn it on to empty the water out, enjoy the day. Note that it is more silent than usual - wet cell phones don't ring when people call.

 

[orion25]

Re: When do you put your plug in?

It is in all the time because I keep the Larson in Dry Storage during the boating season. In October when I bring it home it comes out and in May when I take it back to the marina it goes back in...............

 

[ckone0814]

Re: When do you put your plug in?

right after I realize the bilge has been peeing for the last few minutes straight!

 

[wellsc1]

Re: When do you put your plug in?

I answered at home, but repeat the process at the ramp to serve minimally to check my actions at home. Then my wife even asks me if I put the plug in.

I hope all that effort doesn't strip the plug threads.

 

[Nobody]

Re: When do you put your plug in?

I leave mine in unless I'm washing it out (little tin boat) I do find it amusing to sprint from my truck to the dock at the launch ramp yelling PLUG at the top of my lungs, amazing how many people who can't be bothered to return a wave will drop everything they are doing to gawk at potential tragedy.

 

[mellenhead]

Re: When do you put your plug in?

if I remember i put it in on the way. If not ive had to pull my boat out and drain it. It really sucked.

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: When do you put your plug in?

I actually have four plugs in my transom!

The lowest one is at the center and is a threaded stainless plug for the air space under my deck. It is seldom taken out, I only remove it to check that there is no water there and when the boat is stored for the winter.

Above it is the plug for my bilge sump. It is always out when the boat is out of the water. I trailer my boat and when the boat comes up on the ramp, I pull the plug to drain the water from the bilge and put it back just prior to launching.

The other two plugs are at the sides of the transom and they are fairly large, about 2 inches in diameter. I believe they where designed to allow the cockpit to self drain but when we are trolling or drifting they allow water to slosh in and out so I keep them plugged except when scrubbing out the boat.

I believe in leaving the plug out as the ONLY time to check your plug(s) is just before you launch, whether you leave it in or not. So why not just leave it out till then and avoid potential rain water problems.

 

[highN'dry]

Re: When do you put your plug in?

In freshwater I leave it out, in saltwater I put it in. Boston Whalers don't need no stink'n plug.

 

[gostephen]

Re: When do you put your plug in?

i leave mine in all the time during boating season
it comes out when i winterize it and goes in when i summarize it

i live in a dry enough area (Arizona) that any water that the bilge doesn't get just evaporates
the only other time its out is cleaning

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: When do you put your plug in?

Half the year the plug stays in or my boat will sink, the other 6 months during winter it stays out. When I do put the plug in, it is at the ramp.

 

[22E6441]

Re: When do you put your plug in?

I voted at the launch prep area. That was easy with my last boat that had a plug that screwed in from outside. My new boat has a plug that goes in front he inside, and I've almost forgotten it twice now. Realized it both times as I was driving down the launch!! See, the old plug was easy, because I would install or remove at the same time as my transom saver. I need to get the same type of routine going with this plug, but habits are hard to change.

 

[109jb]

Re: When do you put your plug in?

....My new boat has a plug that goes in front he inside, and I've almost forgotten it twice now. ....

Are you talking about the boat in your signature?? I would have thought that one would take an expanding rubber plug. If so, it should be able to go in from inside or outside. I've put those in from the outside for 30 years without problems.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: When do you put your plug in?

My answer was at home, that way I eliminate forgetting it at the ramp, but i always check anyhow.

 

[boat1010]

Re: When do you put your plug in?

I put my plug in just before I launch it. Very seldom is there water in the bilge but if I pull the plug out when I take it out of the water I will know right away if I have any problems that need attention.