OOPs Forgot the plug

[ezmobee]

Re: OOPs Forgot the plug

I did it last year or the year before. Launched the boat and went and parked the truck. We go to get into the boat and my dad is like "there's a LOT of water in here". OH S$%T! Fortunately you can put the plug in from the inside on my boat. We got motoring and pulled it back out and let all the water drain and put it back in.

 

[izoomie]

Re: OOPs Forgot the plug

You only do it once, then it's a lot easier to remember. If you managed to NOT sink the boat, even better.

 

[Seon]

Re: OOPs Forgot the plug

drill a hole in the plug and hang it on the tongue of the trailer....

Good idea but instead of hanging it on the tongue, hang it on the back where the hold down straps hook onto. This way when removing the straps, you just remove the plug and place it in the hole.

 

[rexmitchell]

Re: OOPs Forgot the plug

I leave my plug right next to my gauges, but I also have a checklist I use before I hit the water. I have on occasion had to have my bilge automatically kick on to remind me that the plug is out.

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: OOPs Forgot the plug

Question is what does everyone use to remind themselves to put the plug in?

Read posts like this one! Oops, sorry.

I follow my list until it becomes routine (new learning curve every spring).
Last and only time that I forgot mine was in the Keys with the old boat. Backed the boat into the water, left GF in boat, went and parked the truck/trailer. Got back to the boat, GF asked if the water was supposed to be in the boat??? and I realized S#!t, forgot the plug and could not get to it while it was in the water. Ran back to get the truck/trailer and a really nice lady was trying to park her truck/trailer next to mine and was blocking me. She had never done it before and was giving it a try. Of course, I'm panicking, I don't know where the plug is and can't get to my truck. I finally screamed that I had an emergency, she jumped out of her truck, I parked it for her and got my very soaked boat back up on the ramp. I was embarrassed and very apologetic to the lady with the truck. That will keep me from doing it again, I hope!

 

[JAL51974]

Re: OOPs Forgot the plug

Mine hangs on the tie down strap in the stern area, I take off the straps before backing down the ramp and install the plug at that time. Plus there are spares on my engine keyring too. I used to hang one from the truck shift handle too! Just reminders.

Joe

 

[Fisherball]

Re: OOPs Forgot the plug

It's amazing how much & how quick water comes through that little hole isn't it?

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: OOPs Forgot the plug

Only thing I dont like about the ball thingy is crap tends to head toward the bilge. Wire trimmings, lost washers, tywrap clippings all kinds of stuff that can get wedged in a self sealing device letting water pass by.

 

[samagy16]

Re: OOPs Forgot the plug

Only thing I dont like about the ball thingy is crap tends to head toward the bilge. Wire trimmings, lost washers, tywrap clippings all kinds of stuff that can get wedged in a self sealing device letting water pass by.

This happened to me. I installed one of these and just so happens that my bilge pump crapped on me. Being in S. Florida let's just say my boat got a LOT of water during the daily afternoon thunderstorms and even though the plug was out the water wasn't draining because of all of the little crap wouldn't let it. Good concept but too easily compromised. I immediately gutted and destroyed the little ball and now everything is normal.

This of course happened before I bought my new cover.

As for the plug, add me to the list that have forgotten to put it in, luckily enough it happened within the few short weeks that I had the little plastic thingy still in.:redface:

I also believe in routines and after that incident I strictly follow one and think this will likely not happen again.

 

[ewenm]

Re: OOPs Forgot the plug

its a bit like sand bars.........there are only two types of boaters....those who have (hit sand bars, forgotten the drain plug) and liars

except me of course, our 32 footer does NOT have a drain plug

 

[JimMH]

Re: OOPs Forgot the plug

I keep it on the tongue tied to the hich lock. I cannot hook up without putting it in.

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: OOPs Forgot the plug

I drive home to get any water drained out of the boat after the day is through. When I put the boat into the garage, I put the plug back in. It's then ready for the next trip.

 

[northernmerc]

Re: OOPs Forgot the plug

A woman we know told us a rather odd story.

As she paddled her kayak on the lake one day, she heard someone calling for help. She couldn't see where the call came from, so she kept on paddling. But the cries for help persisted, and she finally noticed a boat drifting out on the lake. Although she couldn't see anyone in the boat, she paddled towards it anyway, and the cries for help became louder as she approached.

Once she reached the boat, she looked in and saw a man lying in the bottom of the boat, which was half full of water. He had his thumb jammed in the hole where the plug should go. He also had cut his thumb quite badly, and blood had mixed with the water in the boat, making for quite the gory sight. The woman managed to help find a plug for the boat, saving the day.