pulling the plug

graphik · Addict Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 727 City: miller lake

Does anybody pull the plug when they take boats out of the water, or does the bilge pretty much get it all out of the transom? I haven't really had a chance to get it in the water yet (I live in Canada, and this is the longest spring we've ever had...brrr) but it looks like the plug is a bolt at the back under the swim platform.

Any advice would be great.
thanks
b

Breezer · Outlaw Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 246 City: Austin

I take the plug out after every trip.

siuski · Posted: May 14, 2003 5:30 am Post subject:

I leave it in, if not I tend to forget to put it back in, I just cant get it in my head to replace it when on the ramp. I would pull it if your boat doesn't sit level when parked in your drive way or storage. If the bilge doesn't get all the water out, the water can over time reck havick on your steering cable if it sits in a pool for any amount of time.

Leggester · Posted: May 14, 2003 5:53 am Post subject:

I pull it every time. Stagnant water can get pretty smelly. Plus, I like the rain to drain from the boat.

No need to haul extra weight when I don't need to.

graphik · Addict Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 727 City: miller lake

Good stuff. I have a feeling that the boat may be docked a lot of the summer, so I may not get the chance to pull it out, but when I do I'll pull the pug and let it drain out.

OttoNP · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 848 City: MI

We pull the plug whenever we take the boat out of the water. If I docked the boat for a long time I would probably bilge out what I can and then use a sponge to get the rest out, you can get most of it with the bilge if you move the people in your boat around. I only do the sponge trick if it was going to sit for awhile, not if I was taking the boat out the next day.

Nick
________
Cheap Glass Bongs

jbelson · Guest

Pull the plug. I know I've had the misfortune of forgetting it twice, but the best thing you can do is drain all the water. Thats what every mechanic i've talked to says. Standing water tends to stink, and if there are any corrosive agents in the water, their just sitting there in your boat for a period of time. I'm as lazy as anyone, but you'll be kicking yourself if something happens cause you were to tired to take a second and take the plug out.

RYDOG · Outlaw Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 163 City: NOR CAL

PULL IT

driftwood · Posted: May 15, 2003 11:55 am Post subject:

i pull it for the drive home and put them back in before leaving on for the water. I have sort of a checklist that I go through before I pull out of the driveway. That will keep you from forgetting to put it back in. Most dd inboards have 3 plugs - one in the ski locker, one in the engine compartment and one at the transom.

You'll have to figure out where you'rs are specific to your boat.

Buergday · Guest

Pull it, and then masking tape it to your steering wheel or boat keys - that way you can't forget to put it back in before you head out again. My bilge pump never pumps it all out by itself - there's always a gallon or so left. I pull the plug before the drive home too. That way the water is forced to the plug opening while I drive. If it's gona rain, be sure to leave the plug out and have the trailer parked at such an angle that the water can drain out at all times. Otherwise, after a long period of time the dirty water turns to sludge and plugs up the pump and the drain hole - and that's no fun. Mad

Breezer · Outlaw Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 246 City: Austin

We always pull it and put it in the cup holder that we keep the truck key in. If I ever forget, I am quickly reminded. The first time you forget to put it in will be your last. I forgot once and looked back and saw the water about an inch deep back by the back seat. Now it seems like everyone and their grandma is yelling at me every trip to the lake... "DID YOU PUT THE PLUG IN!!!!!!" I kinda get sick of it b/c it makes me seem like a moron, but I have never forgot again.

OttoNP · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 848 City: MI

Yeah, one of my friends forget it the first time they went out on their new boat. Same thing, water an inch high, engine died, etc... Another friend edited the picture we took that day of him and his new boat. He put a thought bubble by his head that had girls in bikini's and wakeboarding. Then, he put the guy he bought the boat in the picture saying, "This is important, always remember to put in the drainplug, hey, are you listening to me?" It's a hilarious picture...

Nick
________
DIGESTIVE DISORDERS ADVICE

X-Star · Soul Rider Joined: 01 Apr 2003 Posts: 253

You should pull the plug every time. Get used to taking it out and putting it back in every time now before you dont develop the habbit and end up sinking your boat.

boehnkew · Outlaw Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 112 City: Kennewick, WA

Sorry for the echo, but pull the plug. It is good to dry things out.