Would you drill a hole in your boat?

[Kenboatman]

Hey guys do I just bought a small aluminum fishing boat to take my kids out. It's an elgin 11'6". It is also the first boat I have ever seen without a hole and plug. So you have to tip it over to get water it. It's been snowing all week so of course there is water snow and ice in the boat. It's not a huge problem now but when the motor is attached I would have to constantly pull it off and tip the boat over. I was thinking of drilling a hole and using a plug as usual. Is there any downfalls to this?

The alternative would be to get a small bilge pump since I have two batteries that came with the boat for a trolling motor I could always just pump it out.

 

[ondarvr]

You can install a drain plug in it.

 

[oldjeep]

I wouldn't think twice about it. Just make sure you seal the hull fitting properly

http://www.iboats.com/Attwood-Cast-...5pbm0Xb41UzVDdZgRVlOJxxyMplnH4okgbRoCGBjw_wcB

 

[jbcurt00]

I'd suggest an aluminum dran tube for an aluminum boat rather then a dissimilar metal brass drain and plug
http://www.iboats.com/Drain-Fittings-Kit/dm/cart_id.015895223--session_id.024108768--view_id.39181

Its more expensive then a standard drain tube, but has 2 spacer rings and an O-ring for use on a thin aluminum transom skin.

DIY flanging tool

 

[keith2k455]

For this I agree that I wouldn't think twice and still the hole.

 

[pckeen]

You shouldn't just drill a hole - the plug won't have anything other than a thin piece of aluminum to bite into. This isn't a tough job to do, but if you buy the aluminum drain tube listed above, you'll need a flanging tool

You can also make a flanging tool - there are instructions floating around on iboats somewhere.

If you install the brass one, you'll need to get v headed stainless steel bolts of the proper length, so you'll have a bolt on the other side of the boat. Of the two jobs, the brass fitting will be easier and cheaper to install, but you will have different metals against each other. I have no idea if brass and aluminum react to create galvanic corrosion.

 

[Kenboatman]

I didn't realize they make kits for this I was picturing getting out the spool gun and welding in a fitting. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. Since there seems to be approval I will get things lined up to push ahead. It just seems the convenience of pulling the plug it's worth the minimal hassle.

Any input on positioning? I was thinking center and low as possible. Or should it be an inch or two above the floor so it can't be bumped in shallow water?

 

[jbcurt00]

My 12ft SeaNymphs drain is 1/2in +/- above the hull and in the center. Any higher and IMO too much water can collect before it'd drain out the hole... if the hull is flat across the bottom of the transom, it isnt so important to have the plug centered as it would be in a semi Vee.

Millions of aluminum boats, esp small utilities have a similar drain tube.

It might take a while, but the brass/aluminum contact will cause corrosion. Esp in a boat where water is likely to collect around the garboard drain.

 

[airshot]

Do NOT use any brass connection to aluminum it will eat the alum and it won't take that long. If you can't find an aluminum or a stainless steel fitting then use PVC plastic pipe fittings. Have one in my jon boat for years without issue.

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome to iboats.

Why not put a cover or tarp over the 12' boat and avoid the water inside in the first place?

 

[Kenboatman]

Welcome to iboats.

Why not put a cover or tarp over the 12' boat and avoid the water inside in the first place?

For storage yes but fishing with a 7 & 8 yr old or fishing in general water is going to happen. Even tarped some water would get in. It's just a convenience thing. I'll probably build a setup to flip the boat over on the trailer for the winter. But I hope to get out weekly spring to fall as I live right across the street from a boat launch.

 

[WIMUSKY]

For storage yes but fishing with a 7 & 8 yr old or fishing in general water is going to happen. Even tarped some water would get in. It's just a convenience thing. I'll probably build a setup to flip the boat over on the trailer for the winter. But I hope to get out weekly spring to fall as I live right across the street from a boat launch.

Nothing to build for winter. Put at 2x4/6 across the bunks, flip the boat over and on the board and lay the bow on top of the bow stop. I use to put a couple cheap jackstands under the axle to keep the wheels off the ground. I'm assuming you don't have a roller trailer given the size of the boat....

 

[Watermann]

To install a standard drain in the transom below the wood you need one of these kits and of course the drain plug. I would still use some 5200 to seal it up. Read the reviews on it and you'll get some pointers. Click the pic for the link to the kit.

 

[jbcurt00]

To install a standard drain in the transom below the wood you need one of these kits and of course the drain plug. I would still use some 5200 to seal it up. Read the reviews on it and you'll get some pointers. Click the pic for the link to the kit.


[url]http://www.iboats.com/Drain-Fi...02490926--**********.851922510--view_id.39181

[/URL]

Yep, thats the tube specific to aluminum boats I posted above

 

[Bt Doctur]

Usually only drill holes in boats that dont pay the repair bills

 

[GA_Boater]

Usually only drill holes in boats that dont pay the repair bills

ound:

 

[64osby]

If you have a battery already, test how a pump works before drilling a hole. If you don't like messing with it or it doesn't work well then drill a hole.

Every boat should have a pump regardless. My .02.

 

[fhhuber]

Most people I know store the small boats that don't have a drain plug inverted on a couple of 2X4's supported on concrete blocks or bricks. ... Then it can't hold water, leaves or anything else.

You aren't going to pull the plug while out on the lake... (I hope) so its not going to do anything for the water that splashes in while fishing.

 

[southkogs]

We would leave our row-boat style fishing boats (under 15' bench seats) at the pier at our cottage uncovered for weeks at a time. You'd come back and they'd have several gallons of water in 'em. Hand pump, bailing bucket and a couple of rags, and it was empty in about 10 or 15 minutes. When it came to long term storage, we did just what huber said ... flip 'em on a few old tires.

Otherwise, I'd just put a tarp with supports on it on the trailer.

 

[Kenboatman]

Yup thats what was in the link above and for less than ten bucks that's a not bad at all. I wonder if there is enough meat to thread those fittings. But I do have plenty of misc. Bolts to make a flare.