Boat plug keeps breaking

fishhaggis

fishhaggis

Cadet
Joined
Aug 23, 2018
Messages
8
I have a Thunderjet boat, welded aluminum hull. I use a one inch screw version boat plug. I have twice now put in the transom boat plug and the center screw broke while on the water and started a slow leak. Bilge handled it, but what is going on here? I used a brass one and then this latest was stainless steel. Is there a better quality one I can use? The engine won't hit it so I am not sure why its breaking. I have not toqued it tight, just hand tight, but maybe I turned that centre bolt too tight?
 
P

poconojoe

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Sep 10, 2010
Messages
1,966
What do you mean by "screw version"? Does the hole in your boat have threads?
I have two boats. My aluminum Jon boat has no threads. I use the rubber plug type with the flip handle and I install it from the inside of the boat. I suspect your plug is like this, but instead of a flip handle, it has a screw. Maybe the plug is just poor quality or worn? The flip handle can be turned before you flip it to get a tighter grip. I have never had a problem from this plug failing. I had one start to look old, so I got a new one just for the heck of it.
My other boat has a threaded garboard plug. It's basically a brass pipe plug that screws into the boat from the outside.
 
Last edited:
garbageguy

garbageguy

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
May 8, 2012
Messages
1,633
fishhaggis said:
...the center screw broke...
Click to expand...

Are you positive the screw broke? If you post pics of boat, then closer and closer to where you think the problem is, including "broken screw" - that'll likely help you get the help you seek.

You may just need a new plug assembly that works with the drain hole in your boat
 
Alumarine

Alumarine

Captain
Joined
Feb 22, 2005
Messages
3,757
It almost sounds that you are turning it counter clockwise and the T handle is unscrewing from the brass washer and then the T handle is vibrating out.

Like the others, I've never seen the flip down or T handle style fail.
 
MTboatguy

MTboatguy

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Jul 8, 2010
Messages
8,988
A few years ago I was out with a friend and his rubber flip up finally deteriorated and fell out while we were in the middle of the lake! :eek:

Water started coming in real fast and I told him to gun it for the closest beach and we made it back in. When I asked him how long he had had it, he said since I bought the boat, it came with the boat when I bought it and I never got a new one!

I don't know how old that plug was the boat was a 1972!
 
roscoe

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,854
Over tightening it.

I've used those for years, tighten it until I can't pull it out, then1 more turn
 
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