Drain tubes

[11 footer]

I'm thinking about instaling a draintube on my boat.<br /><br />My 13foot plywood boat has no drain tubes, its really a pain when washing the boat because I have to bail all the water out of the boat.<br /><br />My 11foot whaler has a train tube, and is even self bailing. Its very convenent.<br /><br />Has anyone ever instaled a drain tube in a boat that did not already have one?<br /> <br />I'm haveing a hard time pictureing myself drilling a hole in the bottem of my boat, how should I go about this?

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Drain tubes

Its easy. Go to the marine store and buy the brass tube type. You need a wood spade bit that is the same size as the outer diameter of the tube. You drill the hole, then you take the tube and put it through the hole all the way from the outside. On the inside, you measure about 3/16th from the wood, and cut off the excess tube (the tube comes like 3 inches long). There is a tool to flange the lip, but all you need is a hammer and something to use to roll the edge over (the tool is hard to find and expensive, but all it does is create the flange). I use a 3/8th drive socket extention. Before you put the tube in for good, use 3m 5200, and generously apply to the hole and the outside of the tube, and install the tube from the outside of the transom in. Lastly, you will use the hammer and socket extension to roll that 3/16th lip over. You want to alternate across, and figure out a way to keep pressure against the ouside flange. The goal is to have the inside flange you just created hold the tube in tightly, and the 5200 will also keep things put and will seal the water out. Then you just install the drainplug (that you bought seperatly) and you are done.

 

[11 footer]

Re: Drain tubes

Hi Jason,<br /><br />Thanks for the reply, I'm going to do it when the weather get warmer, the boat is upside down in the cold right now. I'm going to save what you said.<br /><br />Thank you!

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Drain tubes

Not a problem. Sometimes if you go to a shop that repairs boats you can rent or borrow the tool that flairs the drainplug tube into place, that is the preferred method, but the way I described works fine. Also, there is the other drainplug type, the kind that has a brass housing that is screwed to the transom and the actual plug threads into the housing and has a square head on it. You can check those out too. I have not installed that type so I can't tell you how to do it. Good luck....

 

[roscoe]

Re: Drain tubes

Why not use something like this, and put a standard drain plug in it. Drill it, seal it, tighten it up.<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cgi?prod_id=5579&current_category=thru hull&cart_id=075627264 <br /><br />Or this:<br /> http://www.tjtrailers.com/store/beckson-drain-plug.html <br /><br />I'm sure you can get a pvc screw in fitting at the hardware store, also. But get one with a smooth bore, and use a rubber drain plug.<br /><br />I would place it near the base of the transom, not on the boat bottom.