Drain Plugs

[1stgenbird]

What's the general consensus on the installation of the drain plug, from the inside or the outside? Until this year, I have always had 12-14ft tinnys and put the plug in from the inside. This year with a 19' I/O, I still install a rubber screw type (not the lever type) from the inside but it's a pain removing the rear seat and reaching down into the bilge to install it. I have seen a few of boats with the plug on the outside but I would think it would be more apt to fall out.

 

[etracer68]

Re: Drain Plugs

I personally prefur a brass pipe plug type, that screws in from the outside, but you always have to carry a tool for install, and removal. I dont like the lever type at all, but the T handle ones are ok to use on the outside, just make sure its in straight, and tight.

 

[1stgenbird]

Re: Drain Plugs

Thanks. Even though I searched on this topic prior to posting, I subsequently found other threads on this topic. Outside is ok but stay away from the using the lever types outside.

 

[JEBar]

Re: Drain Plugs

unless I'm in a boat without a floor blocking access to the plug, I agree with the above .... I've owned a couple of tiller steer aluminum boats where I used a lever type plug inserted from inside boat .... that made it very easy to pull the plug while underway to drain some water out of the boat

Jim

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Drain Plugs

I have one of these on my boat:

http://www.jamestowndistributors.co...ct.do?pid=10292&familyName=Beckson+Drain+Plug

I really like it because it's easy to put in and take out and you always know where it is and never have to worry about losing it.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Drain Plugs

Been putting the plug in from the outside for over 30 years, no problems. Lever type, I always make sure the lever is up or to the side above the bottom of the hull.

 

[Quit It]

Re: Drain Plugs

I like the Beckson because of the retention feature and the lever because they're tool free. Anyone installed a lever with a tether?

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Drain Plugs

I have one of these on my boat:

http://www.jamestowndistributors.co...ct.do?pid=10292&familyName=Beckson+Drain+Plug

I really like it because it's easy to put in and take out and you always know where it is and never have to worry about losing it.

I have a similar screw in type. As mentioned, it's always there.

Been putting the plug in from the outside for over 30 years, no problems. Lever type, I always make sure the lever is up or to the side above the bottom of the hull.

Previous boat had this style. Never an issue.

I've always plugged from the outside....... I see it as personal preference......

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Drain Plugs

I have always use the T type from the out side, snickers back when my boat needed a plug.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Drain Plugs

What's the general consensus on the installation of the drain plug, from the inside or the outside? Until this year, I have always had 12-14ft tinnys and put the plug in from the inside. This year with a 19' I/O, I still install a rubber screw type (not the lever type) from the inside but it's a pain removing the rear seat and reaching down into the bilge to install it. I have seen a few of boats with the plug on the outside but I would think it would be more apt to fall out.

Outside screw drain is the way to go. Its not apt to fall out. Its actually a pain to unscrew it you over tighten it. .. or tighten it too tight ( they are pipe threads ).

YD.

 

[lexer440]

Re: Drain Plugs

I too prefer the outside one, mine is slightly tapered and fits very snugly without needing to be super tight. My last boat had an outside one too that also had a ping pong ball in the drain tube, it rolled back to let water out but if you forgot to put the plug in, (who could even do such a thing:facepalm:??), pressure would push it to close opening, not a 100% seal but easily down to where bilge pumps could cope.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Drain Plugs

Been putting the plug in from the outside for over 30 years, no problems. Lever type, I always make sure the lever is up or to the side above the bottom of the hull.

Same here.

 

[jsimms724]

Re: Drain Plugs

Been putting the plug in from the outside for over 30 years, no problems. Lever type, I always make sure the lever is up or to the side above the bottom of the hull.

Me too , I like being able to see the plug.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Drain Plugs

if you put a lever type outside, I'd also tie to the boat. Of course, you also have a spare in the tool kit or glove box.

My preferences (plural b/c it all depends on the boat):
---use a rubber plug inside the boat for a boat you would run the water out.
---Use a metal screw-in (garboard) for a boat that you don't.
---Don't rely on a floating ping pong ball to keep your boat floating
---A rubber plug outside has more chance of falling out and being lost than a rubber plug inside, so why take chances?