Drain plug location question

[brandi97]

Ok- just bought a boat yesterday. Took it out, lake tested- yay. I go out to the lake on my own and get ready to put it in the water and cannot locate the drain plug. While its on the trailer, and you look underneath the boat, there is a bolt looking object in a hole above where the transom saver attaches to on the trailer. It looks like a bolt- not like a drain plug. Where is the drain plug? Is that it? I took it out anyway on the lake and watched the compartments and ran the bilge pump non stop just in case. No water was taken on. I just have been trained- boat goes in water- put drain plugs in- boat comes out of water - take drain plugs out. If you can find them. Help!!

No lectures. You guys seem nice. I don't want admonishments or opinions. Just answers. I already know I'm a silly goose.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Drain plug location question

We need a picture of your transom and the object you suspect to be the plug.

 

[brandi97]

Re: Drain plug location question

Ok!! Thanks for your fast reply!! I have boat fever and wanna go back out today BRB

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Drain plug location question

It would also help if we knew what kind of boat you have.

 

[brandi97]

Re: Drain plug location question

Thank you! I posted this in Four Winns group too, so sorry! It is a 1996 Four Winns Horizon 170
Here are the pics. I suspect the thing that has a four sided bolt, golden in color to be where I would suspect the location for it to be. I am a SUPER newbie, so tell me what you think. I also attached pics of what I think are weird holes, too. Haha.

 

[tractoman]

Re: Drain plug location question

If it's a brass square headed bolt threaded into a brass flange that is probably the drain plug. Does it look like the photo?
View attachment 106598

 

[brandi97]

Re: Drain plug location question

Grrr won't let me open your attachment. Could it be a drain plug from the inside? If I use a wrench om it, should it come out easy? If it's not taking on water, should I leave well enough alone? LOL

I just don't want to loosen a bolt and my engine falls off my transom. Would be a chick thing to do, eh? :facepalm:

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Drain plug location question

The brass square headed plug is definately the hull plug, take it out when trailered cover or no cover TAKE IT OUT! Always remeber to put it back in before launching. The other upper outlet looks like a scupper drain for the deck, there is probably another similar looking one on the upper side of the hull as well as one for the anchor locker towards the front, that is if you have an anchor locker.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Drain plug location question

The first and second pics look like where the drain plug should be, but I haven't ever seen a plug like that. It sounds like from what Tracto man says that is it, except it's plastic/nylon. Have you removed it yet? Did any water come out?

You could find out by removing it and backing the trailer into the water and let it set for a minute then pull the boat back up the ramp to see if water comes out.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Drain plug location question

Bottom and center.
Screw in type, brass or bronze garboard drain plug.

http://www.iboats.com/Garboard-Drai...5187150--**********.721222590--view_id.470216





l

 

[brandi97]

Re: Drain plug location question

OK - you guys rock. Being a chick in a man's world, I was afraid of "well, little darlin', should you not have figured that out first?"

Instead, awesome, quick replies and honest answers. Great job, peeps.

I'll play with it and see how it goes. In the meantime, once I figure out if it is that brass hole, I will get another drain plug that is easier to deal with - the rubber expansion guys that are easy to come by.

Thanks and cheers!

~brandi

 

[brandi97]

Re: Drain plug location question

Bottom and center.
Screw in type, brass or bronze garboard drain plug.

http://www.iboats.com/Garboard-Drai...5187150--**********.721222590--view_id.470216





l

That's IT!!!! Ha! You guys are so smart.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Drain plug location question

Looks like she has a plastic/nylon Garboard drain plug.

You do want to remove that plug when the boat isn't in the water in case of rain and for bilge ventilation.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Drain plug location question

OK - you guys rock. Being a chick in a man's world, I was afraid of "well, little darlin', should you not have figured that out first?"

Instead, awesome, quick replies and honest answers. Great job, peeps.

I'll play with it and see how it goes. In the meantime, once I figure out if it is that brass hole, I will get another drain plug that is easier to deal with - the rubber expansion guys that are easy to come by.

Thanks and cheers!

~brandi

We don't discriminate with gender bias here... lots of men have asked more obvious questions than that!

 

[brandi97]

Re: Drain plug location question

Woo! It looks like a better quality than those expansion types. I'll keep what I have. What about teflon tape? You think that would be overkill?

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Drain plug location question

Woo! It looks like a better quality than those expansion types. I'll keep what I have. What about teflon tape? You think that would be overkill?

I wouldn't, like I said you need to remove that plug when the boat isn't in the water and the teflon tape only lasts about 1 time for screwing in and out. Check the inside of the drain where the plug screws in for an "O" ring, if it doesn't have one or the one in there doesn't look good replace it.

 

[lbruce]

Re: Drain plug location question

A turn or two of teflon tape will help to stop wear on the threads and make it easier to install and remove.
Don't twist it on too hard or you may loosen the part that is attached to the boat.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Drain plug location question

no teflon needed.. that plug has tapered threads.... snug it and give it 1/4 turn.... done.... the rubber plugs won't work in that drain and you don't need ANYTHING extra to seal it

 

[444]

Re: Drain plug location question

That's right, a rubber plug won't work in that hole. Someone went and changed it over to a threaded plug. Some guys prefer them because they say they don't leak like the rubber push in plugs do. I don't have a problem with my rubber plug but I do see the threaded in kind like that readily available for purchase.

 

[LeeCeeB]

Re: Drain plug location question

Our 2011 Glaxton MX 185 has the same drain plug. I'm a Newbie girl too Brandi! I bought a Wrench for it and keep it in my tool kit. It is easy to remove and mine has a chain attached from the inside so it hangs when out.