Help, I forgot to put the transom water drain plugs in after winterizing

[dellsboater]

So I put my boat in and relized I forgot to put the little screws that go into the transom plate some call them drain plugs. I remember they seem to be holes that go no where but are recommended to be removed in the winter.
So what damage did I do? Need to drive it off the lift and on the trailer to install. Will this be ok? I found this picture online to show you one of the plugs I am talking about,
Thanks

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Help, I forgot to put the transom water drain plugs in after winterizing

If nothing cracked then nothing happened. There are pockets behind them that sometimes get water trapped in them.

 

[Don S]

Re: Help, I forgot to put the transom water drain plugs in after winterizing

I only see one screw marked, if that one was left out and you ran the engine it would probably overheat. Did it? Or did you even run it?
There won't be anything damaged just by leaving it out and the boat sitting in the water.

 

[dellsboater]

Re: Help, I forgot to put the transom water drain plugs in after winterizing

It ran about 15 min, the temp was 140 degrees. I remember cause It seemed a little higher then normal.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Help, I forgot to put the transom water drain plugs in after winterizing

Ignore my previous response. I misunderstood your question. I thought you forgot to take them out for winterization.

 

[DBreskin]

Re: Help, I forgot to put the transom water drain plugs in after winterizing

If those plugs are out, the hole serves as an escape for water that would otherwise be pumped into the engine for cooling. If you only have a short run, 5 minutes or less, from the lift to the trailer you should be OK. If you have to run longer then watch out for overheating.