type of plug/how to use it

[forgedin78]

I have a real newbie question... What kind of plug should I use to plug the bilge drain hole in the transom. On my old aluminum boat I have a rubber plug that you insert and then flip it 90 degrees to lock it into the drain hole. I do this from the inside, as its right there by me when im running the outboard.

But on my new to me glass boat with I/O what should I use? The drain hole is hard to get to from the inside, way under the engine. But if I put it in from the outside, isnt there a chance that something could catch on it and pull it loose? Or am I being too paranoid?

I already planned on getting the screw-tightening kind. Thats still expanding rubber, but expands as you turn the screw. I Guess that pretty much has to go in from the outside huh? They never come out while your on the water?

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: type of plug/how to use it

But on my new to me glass boat with I/O what should I use? The drain hole is hard to get to from the inside, way under the engine.

Try this!!
http://www.iboats.com/Boat_Parts_Ac...**********.346698915--submit.x.32--submit.y.4

Now I wish I was there when you were doing that!! You use a Garboard plug dude

 

[forgedin78]

Re: type of plug/how to use it

Well I didn't put anything in it yet. It hasn't seen the water yet. The drain hole is already existing, and it is not threaded, it is smooth.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: type of plug/how to use it

Well I didn't put anything in it yet. It hasn't seen the water yet. The drain hole is already existing, and it is not threaded, it is smooth.

It's smooth on an I/O? If it would make you feel more comfortable I would switch to a garboard type, They are cheap and brass, will out live my boat thats for sure and for the price and easy fix that would be the way to go on an I/O, but here is another link for boat plugs
http://www.iboats.com/Boat_Parts_Ac...**********.346698915--submit.x.24--submit.y.8

 

[109jb]

Re: type of plug/how to use it

I've been running the rubber snaP drains from the outside of the boat for 30+ years and have never had one come loose.

 

[forgedin78]

Re: type of plug/how to use it

thanks for the replys, I guess I'm just being paranoid

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: type of plug/how to use it

Obviously you will want to have the handle point up or sideways and not down below the transom where it could snag on something.
I launched in the crap lake yesterday and I had to keep the drive trimmed up and feel the boat rubbing the bottom of the lake for 50 yards, kinda of a crap lake, 10,000 acres of shallow bottom marsh. :redface:


My I/O has a smooth style drain also, when I changed the engine and cleaned the bilge good I found the original aluminum frame rubber plug ball chained to the transom under an inch of gook, 30 years old and still works fine.
I also have about a 30 year old brass frame expanding rubber plug that works great.

I only put the plug in from the outside and always have my spare on the boat.