Plugs

[Jerry M.]

New to boating. First time I took the boat out, it wouldn't start. Found out I had water in the gas tank. Took care of that. Second time out, it started, and was tooling around close the ramp to make sure the motor was ok...good thing because I noticed water lapping at my feet. Not over the transom yet, but close. Raced back to the ramp, got it sitting askew on the trailer, and got it out of the water. Looked around the stern, and saw the plug was missing. Water gushing out. Really felt stupid especcially when an old guy like me came over and said "your boats a little crooked on the trailer".<br /><br />Jerry

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Plugs

I don't think there's an experienced boat owner out there who has'nt "forgot the plug" at least once... I'm guilty of it... Twice... <br /><br />I'll bet you won't forget the plug again...

 

[cotterman]

Re: Plugs

forgotten the plug twice myself......so far!!!<br />i thought you are supposed to forget it....tradition or something???

 

[Jerry M.]

Re: Plugs

I probably won't do it again. What do I know about plugs? last time I was on a boat was in the 1950's. An aircraft carrier that I don't think had any stinking plugs.<br /><br />Jerry

 

[OBJ]

Re: Plugs

If ya' ain't fergot the plug just once, then ya ain't never been near tha water. I can count/recall at least three times for myself. Last time, the granddaughter says,"Pappy, why is the floor so wet?". Now she even asks if the plug is in.

 

[miloman]

Re: Plugs

it has happened to the best of us. I thought that if I sped up I would expell the water out I was wrong second time plug was in sides of the fiberglass not sealed well enough had 1 foot in the boat third time my 35 gallon live wel broke and had all that water in the boat in seconds that all so far

 

[93bronco]

Re: Plugs

there aint nothing like forgeting to pull plug on non-bailing cockpit when it rains and sitting in yard. 2ft water in cuddy next morning. took a long time for that water to drain.

 

[12Footer]

Re: Plugs

k

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: Plugs

I've lost count of the times I forgot the plug in my 35 years of boating. But I always remember jus' as the transom hits the water, never filled a boat yet! So now I NEVER take it out (heh-heh!) What the bilge pump don't get I use the shop vac at home when I get back in all my boats. Have any of ya seen the little duck quacker rubber thingey that you leave on all the time that acts like a scupper?

 

[DestinyEscape]

Re: Plugs

I bought my first (and current) boat towards the end of last season. My dad, my neighbor, and one of my buddies that went out with me the first time all reminded me about the plug. Somehow, even though I was thinking of it when we got to the ramp, I forgot to put it in. Then, I jumped in the water and tried to put it in the transom without putting the boat back on the trailer. Luckily, I was smart enough to give up on that useless idea quickly, and get the boat back on the trailer (which I had already parked way up in the lot). The worst part of it all was that my buddy and I had two girls with us. They were sympathetic, although I'm sure they had a secret laugh about it later.<br /><br />CP

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: Plugs

I did it once when I got a bit rattled after winching the boat onto the trailer, taking her home and then discovering that one of the roller arms had folded around the wrong way under the boat.<br /><br />I rushed back to the boat ramp, dropped her back in the water and re-trailered her - only to discover gallons of water pouring out the back...oops <br /><br />Heck it's embarrassing and the water just keeps on going...and you notice all the people around you are smirking and chuckling...

 

[sprithunter]

Re: Plugs

Forgetting the plug is a good way to wash out the inside of the boat without using a hose. done it myself more than once. Last time just before the transom hit the water the wife runs up and she s got the plug in her hand. haha she says.

 

[StAugVol]

Re: Plugs

I'm still in my first boat, had it about a year and forgot the plug once. Lucked out, was still on the trailer starting the motor and I hear water running. Look around and it's my bilge pump working just like it should!

 

[bluechips]

Re: Plugs

one the many benifits of car toping a small aluminum is not having a trailer to to put it on to when you forget the plug<br /><br />also dont eeer pull off the moter and flip it upside down. the boat will suction itself to the suface. so that its neer impossble to get it out<br /> That was nightmare, took 12 guys and whole lot of beer to flip it back to the right side. I then spent the next several hours bailing it out with a ice cream bucket<br /><br />seemed like good idea at the time. Figuerd id just flip it over so the water drained out as I pulled it up the beach, hind sight is 20/20

 

[magster65]

Re: Plugs

I was sitting at the ramp once, it was busy as usual, so I sat watching the other folks launch while I waited my turn. I was thinking that some of them weren't all that smart when I walked back to my boat and my plug was sitting on the swim grid beside my crescent wrench. Ooops! Then I thought "Oh great! I'm one of them".

 

[sidejob]

Re: Plugs

hi all<br />did it once myself. now the boat plug goes in at the house and the checklist gets the once over too. (you know, all of that coast guard gear.)<br />see ya

 

[roscoe]

Re: Plugs

Be careful with putting the plug in at the house. Always check it before launching. They can loosen or fall out while traveling. We once saw some kids removing one at a gas station. Pulled it out and threw it down a sewer grate. The owner caught them and put a bit of whoopas on them.

 

[tech181]

Re: Plugs

I'm just a Newbie but I am giving the boat plug job to my wife. So if it sinks it will be her fault!!<br /> That way I will not be the embarrased one and I will have a great story to tell the guys.

 

[Stratosfied]

Re: Plugs

One time me and my Dad were fishing and a HUGE storm came up. We raced to the ramp and he backed the truck down and I put the rig on the trailer. We were getting soaked as we secured everything. We left and had went about 15 miles and we noticed that his truck just didn't have the same git up and go when we tried to go up hills. Told him that we should have taken my Ford Anyway, going up the next hill, he pulled over and asked if I pulled the plug, No I didn't put it in. The boat had about 6" of water in it. Of course I had to get out in the hurricane and pull the plug. All ended well.

 

[cpasseno03]

Re: Plugs

everyone has forgotten a plug at one time. But I kinda wanna hear a story of someone having to go for a swim.. lots of us have had close calls even, but I havnt heard of a not so close call just yet...?<br />Craig