idea for bilge plug alternative

[beckoning]

My boat sits on a hoist out of the water when not in use. The back of the boat sits over 8' of water. I cannot reach the bilge plug to remove it to drain the boat after a heavy rain. On my old boat, I could remove the plug at all times in the hoist so heavy rains would just run out, then replace the plug when heading out. On the new boat, I can't reach plug to remove and re-install each time I go out. I will install an automatic bilge pump, but want a foolproof backup. Ping pong balls and duckbill flappers don't interest me. I have a cable operated bilge plug that I could install, but it seems too untrustworthy.

How about this idea? I could securely install a tube in the drain hole, then using a SS hoseclamp, connect a 3' piece of quality flexible hose to the tube and put a removable plug in the end of the hose. Whenever the boat is in the hoist, I remove the plug from the end of the hose, and drop the hose in the water allowing the boat to drain. When heading out to fish in Lake Michigan, I would pull a cord connected to the end of the flexible tubing and bring it back up into the transom and reinstall the plug. Wouldn't that work?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: idea for bilge plug alternative

just find a spot you can reach from inside the boat and install a drain in the bottom of the hull.... No way I'd have some hose dragging behind to get ripped off and sink me...

 

[Grand Larsony]

Re: idea for bilge plug alternative

My Bro-in-law keeps his boat (Donzi 21') on a lift. He fabricated a thingy that replaces the drain plug, consisting of a threaded piece that fits into the hole and a small 90 degree shut-off valve (straight handle type). When on lift, he uses a stick to open the valve allowing hull to drain.

Mechanic saw it and said "you're CRAZY". Whatever, he thought... until he forgot to close it one time.

Now it's back to stock and we just let the bilge pump do its job. A little water in the bilge doesn't matter.

 

[veritas honus]

Re: idea for bilge plug alternative

I've found that the easy way out is generally not so easy...

Can you back the boat in, and access the plug from the dock before lifting the boat 8'?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: idea for bilge plug alternative

I have one of those bilge pumps that runs every 3 minutes to see if there is any water in the bilge. At least there is no float to break or stick. It keeps a real dry bilge.

 

[rbh]

Re: idea for bilge plug alternative

+1 on backing it in to remove plug.

 

[blifsey]

Re: idea for bilge plug alternative

I like smokeonthewater's idea of drain valve inside bilge. You might could even plumb it into existing drain plug hole instead of making a new drain hole.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: idea for bilge plug alternative

"If it ain't broke, fix it until it is"

I say stick with the automatic bilge pump; that's no different than if it were moored. Tried and true. The downside is negligible, since you can't sink if the pump/battery fails.

The plug is too vital to be messing with.

If you can't stand it, screw it in from the inside--you may need to weld an entension to the plug to be able to reach it conveniently. For me, it would be too deep a reach, and not worth the trouble.

Or make some type of catwalk so you can get to it. Have lots of spare plugs and wrenches on hand, and a magnet on a string for the wrenches, as you will drop them sometime in the process.

I do not like the idea of a pump that comes on constantly for a number of reasons--totally unnecessary and too risky. KISS.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: idea for bilge plug alternative

Hey Home, you obviously have never had a float switch break, stick open or stick closed. The auto pump has never even come close to drainiing the battery, and keeps a much drier bilge than the auto switches.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: idea for bilge plug alternative

actually, I have. All three, as well as a pump shaft break, and batteries run down. Happens especially in the summer heat.

And I don't know that the one that keeps turning itself on can get the boat any drier; there's always a little bit left in there.

And wouldn't any electric motor and its parts that goes on and off every 3 minutes (3,360 times a week, 13,440 times a summer, 53,760 times a year) wear out faster? And use more power? Seems like it would make sense only in a boat while it's under way, not while it's moored or docked, and especially not while it's not in the water, at risk of leaking or sinking. Just my observation.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: idea for bilge plug alternative

The auto pumps check for water every three minutes. However, they does not seem to wear the out any faster than the standard bilge pumps, I have had. They do last longer than the bilge pumps with the built in float switches, as those float switches only worked for a year or so before breaking, eventhough the pump itself was fine.

The auto pumps keep a drier bilge because the float switches require more depth of water to turn them on, and never pump the bilge dry, but pump only until the water drops enough to turn the switch off. Auto pumps get every last bit of water that they can. Put them in the right place and the bilge will be almost perfectly dry

They have never used enough power for it to be a worry. I have never had a battery struggle to start the motor after it sat for a while, due to the bilge pump. I am sold on them.....

 

[DS_G]

My boat sits on a hoist out of the water when not in use. The back of the boat sits over 8' of water. I cannot reach the bilge plug to remove it to drain the boat after a heavy rain. On my old boat, I could remove the plug at all times in the hoist so heavy rains would just run out, then replace the plug when heading out. On the new boat, I can't reach plug to remove and re-install each time I go out. I will install an automatic bilge pump, but want a foolproof backup. Ping pong balls and duckbill flappers don't interest me. I have a cable operated bilge plug that I could install, but it seems too untrustworthy.

How about this idea? I could securely install a tube in the drain hole, then using a SS hoseclamp, connect a 3' piece of quality flexible hose to the tube and put a removable plug in the end of the hose. Whenever the boat is in the hoist, I remove the plug from the end of the hose, and drop the hose in the water allowing the boat to drain. When heading out to fish in Lake Michigan, I would pull a cord connected to the end of the flexible tubing and bring it back up into the transom and reinstall the plug. Wouldn't that work?

My boat is also on a lift and impractical to reach the drain plug. Even with an automatic pump, the float can jam and “automatic” flappers and caged ball valves will leak with any debris. My solution was to buy a locking 3/4” Mueller gas ball valve (210-524HC) and reduce one side to 1/2” NPT. This allows a larger ID to minimize blockage from trash.
I trimmed off unused metal and installed the valve to aim the handle at the dock deck. This needs just over 3” of clearance in front of the drive.
A length of 1” PVC with two end slots allows moving the valve open (push and twist) or closed (twist) from the dock. And yes, one could forget to close the valve, but it can always be closed by hand. And yes, the valve does stick out aft a few inches, but is very unlikely to be damaged with regular operations.