Rotted drain plug, need help fast!

[jjsohar]

Hello, and thanks. Taking on a good deal of water in the bilge yesterday, I discovered a drain valve that was rotted but could not be pulled out or pushed through. So as an emergency fix I used underwater silicone putty on and around it. I don't need the drain and would like to seal it myself permanently or fix it without hauling the boat out of water. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. It's a 32' Wellcraft, and it's in her slip.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Rotted drain plug, need help fast!

What kind of drain plug is it? Is it a problem just getting the old plug out so you can replace with a good one or more than that?

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Rotted drain plug, need help fast!

Not a good idea to permanantly seal it. May be out of the water someday. Need better description, does it unscrew to the inside or outside? I'm assuming a bronze pipe thread you're talking about?

 

[jjsohar]

Re: Rotted drain plug, need help fast!

Thanks for the responses folks. Its a T shaped plug of sorts, but it seems to be attached to something outside the hull making it impossible to pull it out, in order to replace. When the T is pushed down thats when the water flows the heaviest. Is it possible there is a plate of some kind on the outside that it attatches to, also there are 4 empty screw holes around the T's base that seem to have held a one inch plate, or somthing at one time, again thanks for any input. Would it be unwise to dremel it off at the base and push it through?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Rotted drain plug, need help fast!

Is this Above, or Below the waterline ??????<br /><br />I Must be missing something here..............

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Rotted drain plug, need help fast!

I had bronze t-handle pipe threaded plugs on my old Chris Craft, that unscrewed from inside the boat. Same thing happened, it corroded away, so it would kind of wiggle around in the threaded portion that's attached to the hull. I used Marine-Tex, or something like it that cures under water. I'm curious when you last changed your zincs though, as this sounds electrolysis related.

 

[jjsohar]

Re: Rotted drain plug, need help fast!

Its below in the bottom of the lowest bilge.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Rotted drain plug, need help fast!

Its below in the bottom of the lowest bilge.

Well, In that case, DON'T Remove it .......<br />You'll Sink the Boat........<br /><br />I'd have it hauled,+ either replaced or repaired Properly.......

 

[jjsohar]

Re: Rotted drain plug, need help fast!

Thats exactly what it's doing. And now that you mentioned it it has been about three months or more, which is usually fine but I have recently changed marinas and the current might be greater here. I'll have a better look when i leave work today. Did the Marine Tex hold? Thanks for the help, ill let you know if you were right.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Rotted drain plug, need help fast!

this ain't somethin' to mess with in a 'slap dap' repair.. i mean ,, what could be worse..!! a potential 'hole' in the boat.. <br /><br />please.. if'n you can afford a 32 footer an an marina slip........................

 

[flashback]

Re: Rotted drain plug, need help fast!

Im with crab and bondo!!!!!! if you can afford to put a boat in the water AND keep it at a marina,,, then PLEASE''' get it out on some stands and find out what you HAVE.......... GOOD LUCK

 

[Solittle]

Re: Rotted drain plug, need help fast!

Marine Tex will cure under water. Having said that Marine Tex or any other product needs something to adhere to. Also Marine Tex tends to be a permanent repair as it is like steel when cured.<br /><br />I agree with Crab Bait big time. Oh - - until you fix it right make sure your insurance is fully paid and don't tell anyone about the problem. If the boat sinks your insurance company will want to know if you took reasonable actions to protect the boat and may deny a claim if they think otherwise.

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Rotted drain plug, need help fast!

Yes, the Marine-Tex held, but unfortunately the wood around it didn't....... <br /><br />

<br /><br />Fix it right!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Rotted drain plug, need help fast!

How Much ????????<br />That's Just the Boat I'm Looking For.......................................... <br /><br />No Wait, Wooden Hull............<br /><br />Nevermind...........

 

[Solittle]

Re: Rotted drain plug, need help fast!

Is that a periscope I see on the port side?

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Rotted drain plug, need help fast!

Yes, I said "Down Periscope" and.......