Drain plug question

[choppywaters]

We were going to head out today but as we got to the dock the black storm clouds come rollin' in so we covered ours up and hung out to watch the show. It was quite a sight to see about 50+ boat scrambling to get out. Actually everyone did very well, I bet it took about 45 minutes to get all of them out. But my question, is about a gallon of water a lot to come out of the drain plug? Our driveway is somewhat of an incline so today I decided to pull in and make sure I could drain it because since we've owned it and been out 4 times I never have. Also the drain plug bezel (where the plug goes into) has 2 screws that seem to be stripped as they just kept turning and turning and the top one tightened up. How concerned should I be from that? Thanks again in advance!!!!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Drain plug question

Remove that garboard plug housing and fill the old holes with marine epoxy. Place a coating of 3m 4200 or 3m 5200 inside the transom and remount that plug.

Stripped screws that you have now will allow water intrusion and possibly soak your transom

I would keep the plug out until it is ready to launch and store with the bow high enough for the hull to drain.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Drain plug question

A gallon of water is a lot in a kayak, but nothing in a 21 foot CC.

 

[Grandad]

Re: Drain plug question

I've heard that in some areas, it is a legal requirement that you open the drain plug before leaving the launch area to prevent the transport of organic contaminants from one body of water to another. Maybe someone can confirm this. I always remove mine after pulling out and leave it out til the next launch. Putting it back in is something to remember when you launch next time. Leaving it out when you launch is kind of a right of passage for most experienced boaters and usually results in someone getting wet before they planned to. Been there, done that. - Grandad

 

[choppywaters]

Re: Drain plug question

Well plug housing removed. I dried as much as I could, scraped off the old silicone (which there wasn't much of) filled the old holes and put a nice bead around the plug drain housing and slathered around the drain plug housing. The marine silicone was oozing out around all sides and re drilled new holes, everything is nice and tight now. Thanks for the help! Hopefully the marine silicone will be dry enough to use tomorrow, its been a couple hours and its still tacky.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Drain plug question

Please don't tell me you used silicone to fill the holes......... if so..... use a drill bit and clean them out and use marine epoxy. Even if you have to drill pilot holes into the hardened epoxy.....that will hold. The silicone will FAIL much faster than you believe or expect.

 

[choppywaters]

Re: Drain plug question

Please don't tell me you used silicone to fill the holes......... if so..... use a drill bit and clean them out and use marine epoxy. Even if you have to drill pilot holes into the hardened epoxy.....that will hold. The silicone will FAIL much faster than you believe or expect.

Hi Bob, I used marine silicone, the same thing I used for antenna install. Good for above and below water lines...the stuff that came off didn't look like anything more than I used. Ummm is it going to be ok or not? I rotated the plug housing about 3/4 and drilled new holes and sealed up with this marine stuff.