Boat Plug

[Cat Dog]

Hello All,
I am a new owner of a older used boat. I have gone out almost a dozen times and learned a ton! I also realized I have about 100 tons yet to learn. I have been developing a pre-launch routine with my wife so that we minimize mistakes/problems. The first and last thing we say to each other prior to backing down the ramp is: "Is the plug in and tightened?" So far things have gone very well.
My question is this:
Is there a reason for removing the plug, if I've never seen a single drop of water come out after a day on the water?
I get that if I've taken on water I should let it out, but this has not happened, and I wonder if plug removal is necessary.

Thanks in advance!
Cat

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Boat Plug

Some states like MN it is the law that the plug be removed when the boat is in transport. I suspect that a lot of places have a law that says that you at least have to pull the plug to make sure the water is drained from bilge and livewells. The reason is to try to stop the transportation of invasive species (zebramussels, millfoil, etc)

Also a good idea to pull it just to make sure there is no water - one day there might be and you'll want to know about it.

 

[HellRaZoR004]

Re: Boat Plug

Removing the plug provides a sanity check that the boat is not leaking/taking on water. If you have unusual amounts of water in the boat you should look into why.

 

[Cat Dog]

Re: Boat Plug

Some states like MN it is the law that the plug be removed when the boat is in transport. I suspect that a lot of places have a law that says that you at least have to pull the plug to make sure the water is drained from bilge and livewells. The reason is to try to stop the transportation of invasive species (zebramussels, millfoil, etc)

Also a good idea to pull it just to make sure there is no water - one day there might be and you'll want to know about it.

Ahh, parasites. Now that does make sense. Thanks for that.

 

[sccatfish]

Re: Boat Plug

If you get in a heavy storm on the way home you could be towing a few hundred extra pounds, and if you don't store the boat where it can't get rained on it will hold the extra weight until you pull the plug.

 

[Philster]

Re: Boat Plug

On land, you remove the plug so you don't turn your boat into a swimming pool (cover can blow off or collapse, so don't assume these prevent it.). Besides protecting the boat (even bilge pumps and batteries give up the ghost too often), you don't want to collapse your trailer either.

Plug out on land, with some exceptions (boatels, sturdy garages/ports, etc... as the owner deems fit)

 

[Cat Dog]

Re: Boat Plug

This is all very informative. Thank you all for your input. I think I'm going to love these forums!

 

[TJDave]

Re: Boat Plug

Removing the plug provides a sanity check that the boat is not leaking/taking on water. If you have unusual amounts of water in the boat you should look into why.

Ha ha. Agreement on the sanity check. But, I think all of us have to be a little insane just owning a boat. I would not have it any other way.

I pull the plug every time I get to the top of the ramp, and out of the way of fellow launching/retrieving boaters. My present, and previous boat, only a couple drops have ever came out......Except once, on my previous boat about 4 gallons of water came out. I put on the muffs when I got her home and looked for the problem. Turned out that I did not tighten one of the engine winterizing/draining petcocks completely before taking her out for the first time that season.

Good enough for me. Out it comes after every trip.

 

[bgc]

Re: Boat Plug

I pull the plug because my tinny has a bunch of leaking reevets......the glasser's for the reasons stated above. As a plus the carpet gets a good washing when I forget to put it in

 

[SierraMark]

Re: Boat Plug

Cat Dog,

I used to think the same thing, I never get water in the boat when I am on the water and I wondered why bother taking it out.
I did forget to pull the plug once after being out for a day and then for whatever reason I wasn't able to get back on the boat for 2 weeks after that.
When I did finally get to go out again I was getting it ready to tow and I noticed the plug was in so I pulled it out and gallons of water poured out.
It had rained while the boat was in the driveway and the water had no way of getting out. The boat is covered but apparantly the cover is not 100% waterproof.

-Mark

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Boat Plug

I always pull my plug .... Drain plug that is, but my bilge is deeper than the plug. I have to run the pump to get all the water out that accumulates after a day in and out of the water with people and tubes.

 

[JimKW]

Re: Boat Plug

I always pull mine in the staging area when I'm putting the transom straps on to tow home. I usuaally get a little water coming out, quite a bit more now that the dog is swimming though. Sometimes I put it right back in when it's done draining. Most of the time I leave it out until I'm ready to go back out. I always start my boat on muffs before going to the lake and I check for the plug at that time and put it in if it's not already in. I keep my boat in the garage so it does not get rain water.