IDEA! What Do You Guys Think?

[dogsdad]

I have an idea---hey wait, come back! Don't run away!! <br /><br />Seriously though...it seems that so many people at one time or another forget to put the plug in their boats and end up in trouble, sometimes serious trouble. I have come up with an idea for an alarm that would sound anytime the ignition key is turned on and the plug is absent. I haven't built it, but it's pretty darned simple and I think it would be reliable and easy to install and set up.<br /><br />I just want your opinions---do you think you would pay $25 for such a thing?<br /><br />Thanks in advance...<br /><br />-dd-

 

[Uncle Dave]

Re: IDEA! What Do You Guys Think?

Good idea , but would it work in the long haul<br />Salty enviroment,<br />Damp always,<br />Oil and sludge Maybe<br />Fool proof ( Can it be fooled into thinking the plug is in when it is not? Murphys law is always present.<br /> <br />You have just told perhaps 2,000 people.<br /><br />Finaly do you have a market plan<br /><br />Good luck<br />Fitz.

 

[GodsBeast]

Re: IDEA! What Do You Guys Think?

Good Luck DogsDad, I wish you well. Mr. Fitz did give you some good obsticals to consider.<br /><br />Some may consider it worth $25.00. Others may just complain it is just one more thing to go wrong, and drive up boat prices. Are you considering making it an after market idea, or an item to be offered as an option on new boats?<br /><br />More to consider, anyway, whatever you decide, consider those obsticals, but always remember, you have to take a chance, to suceed!<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[crab bait]

Re: IDEA! What Do You Guys Think?

GOOOD IDEA..!! i like it... great poteinial...<br /><br />but must meet said requirements.. an NO exposed wires...

 

[JB]

Re: IDEA! What Do You Guys Think?

Years ago I had a "plug" that was a one-way valve. It worked fine. I don't know why I haven't seen them around in years.<br /><br />You just left it in.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: IDEA! What Do You Guys Think?

Its already been done.. I dunno how it works, but here it is..

 

[dogsdad]

Re: IDEA! What Do You Guys Think?

Guys, thanks for the replies thus far. <br /><br />Right now, it is just a concept. I have been thinking about the reliability issue also, and the fact that it must operate and survive in a very hostile environment. Simplicity is the key!<br /><br />This thing would be electronic, but everything in the bilge area would be sealed in epoxy, and an appropriate plastic would be the material used for the [very simple] mechanism. <br /><br />I was thinking of this thing as an aftermarket item, but as I said, it is only a concept as of yet. I have a general "drawing" of it in my imagination. I need to look at a bunch of boats to see if the idea would work as envisioned---right now, it would fit my Sea Ray.<br /><br />I would appreciate all the comments I can get on this idea...thanks again!<br /><br />-dd-

 

[dogsdad]

Re: IDEA! What Do You Guys Think?

Snapperbait, thanks for that link! I am shickled titless because that thing looks like junk! My idea is waaaaaay better than that---NO submerged wires or electronics!<br /><br />Is there any other product out there already?<br /><br />I am jazzed!!

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: IDEA! What Do You Guys Think?

A simple float switch and a buzzer is all it takes. The problem is by the time you turn the key on the boat is already in the water sinking.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: IDEA! What Do You Guys Think?

Since I have no interest in inventing or building a business, I'll just say that my idea for a device like this would be that the plug would have a strong magnet in it, and there would be a sealed switchbox near the drain. There would be some sort of dinger or buzzer with light. The buzzer would be able to be turned on or off, but the light would always work. The switch would be activated by the magnetic field, turning off the light/buzzer. There could even be an ability to defeat the ignition so the motor wouldn't start unless the plug is installed, with an overide of course. Thats how I would do it. <br /><br />I'll take ten percent of all sales...

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: IDEA! What Do You Guys Think?

Again, by the time you turn the key it's too late. The boat is in the water sinking...

 

[dogsdad]

Re: IDEA! What Do You Guys Think?

Jason, the idea of disabling the starter with the plug missing seemed like a very good idea for a moment---until I imagined my own "launching-without-the-plug" adventure: I've floated off the trailer, and I am in a sinking boat that won't start, and I need to get that sucker back on the trailer NOW. So, on second thought, I think I'd set it up another way. But I like your other ideas.<br /><br />Ralph, darn it, you're hard to please! I can't think of a way to have the plug install itself, and I think that until someone comes up with a way to do that, no system will ever be 110% idiot-proof! Obviously, what my device would accomplish is to keep you from leaving the ramp in a sinking boat. I don't know what other peoples' habits are, but we always start the motor as soon as the trailer is backed down the ramp as far as intended. I guess if someone were to put the stern in the water and wait ten minutes before they turned on the ignition, they would already be in trouble. I'll keep thinking about this, maybe it could be a bit more sophisticated without getting expensive or persnickety.<br /><br />Thanks for your comments!<br /><br />-dd-

 

[JasonJ]

Re: IDEA! What Do You Guys Think?

I think that, no matter how many widgets we invent to try to remove any sort of worry and work from our lives, there will always be some other problem that needs to be solved. I personally feel that if a person is going to involve themselves with an activity such as boating, they should accept the fact that they have to do some work. As advanced as jetliners are, you still see the pilot walking around visually inspecting the aircraft prior to takeoff. Why should boating be any different. Its just as dangerous to make mistakes. Me, I walk around the boat at least a few times to make sure the plugs are in, that there isn't any hull damage, that the motor is in good shape. Its all about appeasing the Boat Gods. If you don't please the Boat Gods, their wrath is unmerciful. <br /><br />In the end, the only sure way to never forget to install the plug is to not have a drain plug in the first place....

 

[KillerJello]

Re: IDEA! What Do You Guys Think?

I just came up with a better idea..... basically when you turn on the ignition the boat will already be filling with water before you get in and turn the key if you forgot the plug... I could very well keep this to myself, but i would be happy just seeing it manufactured.... <br /><br />basically my idea is have a water sensitive switch (like a flat switch, wont intrude on anything and be stuck to the transom) you know like the water level switches that are just two contacts, and when water shorts the two contacts it sets off the buzzer. <br /><br />anyways, have a constant 12 volts running to that switch, and then run it to your plug circuitry, so that if the plug is not in and the boat touches the water, it will set off a buzzer no matter what..<br /><br />If anyone doesnt understande, let me know, and i will try to explain it better.

 

[CTD]

Re: IDEA! What Do You Guys Think?

I usually launch my boat, tie it up to the dock, park my truck and trailer and walk back to the boat. When I leave the plug out the water is at the floor level by the time I get back and I don't need a buzzer to tell me whats wrong.

 

[dogsdad]

Re: IDEA! What Do You Guys Think?

Killer, that's a pretty good idea, I think. What you are suggesting is that instead of getting a warning because the plug is removed AND the ignition is on, you get a warning because the plug is removed AND there's water in the bilge. Hmmm...THAT is good. The only drawback is that when you pull the boat up on the trailer and remove the plug to drain the bilge, you'd have to listen to the alarm until all the water drained. But then again, the way to get around that is to pump the bilge on the way back to the ramp, huh?<br /><br />So, this way, if there's water in the bilge but the plug is in, you get no alarm. If the plug is OUT but there's no water in the bilge, you get NO ALARM. But, you leave the plug out and back the boat down the ramp, you get an alarm as soon as water starts coming in. You're da man, Killer Jello! <br /><br />I like that. What do you other guys think of that? I'll bet Ralph even approves!

 

[roscoe]

Re: IDEA! What Do You Guys Think?

KillerJello, with your design, I would have to leave the plug in, even while trailering or parked in the driveway, if it is raining out. The alarm would be going off all the way down the interstate.

 

[dogsdad]

Re: IDEA! What Do You Guys Think?

Roscoe, I think I would go with something more along the lines of a float, since the presence of mere moisture in the bilge setting one of the alarm conditions would be a real pain. In other words, a float switch could be set to do nothing unless there were two inches of water in the bilge, or whatever level you wish. KillerJello's logic, in my estimation, is superior to the [plug out + ignition "on"] scenario I originally thought up. You could leave your plug out and tool down the interstate during a rainstorm and have no false alarms, with a float-operated switch.<br /><br />I'd that guess if the bilge was filling up with rain faster than it can drain out the plughole, a little alarm going off would be the least of your worries!<br /><br />...or am I missing a point here?? <br /><br />KllerJello, I'd be interested in the switch you were talking about. I am not sure I was looking at the same thing when I ran a search on the web for it.

 

[BrianFD]

Re: IDEA! What Do You Guys Think?

Dogsdad,<br />Like the idea, although I keep the plug in mine all the time.<br />For an I/O application, you could have it hooked up to go off when the blower's turned on. I don't know anyone who launches without the blower on before the boat gets wet.<br />Would have to do something different for an outboard.<br />Just my 2 cents. Keep on thinkin'!<br />Brian

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: IDEA! What Do You Guys Think?

the SeaMaster had a "flapper valve", which is likely (VERY likely!) what JB is talking about ... looked like a duck bill, sealed up when sitting still, when water shifted back as in when underway, the water would run out, but there was one little problem, the material was rather thin, and if you didnt keep up with it, it could potentially rot and break and hello! anchor light turns into a periscope when you come back to the dock (tie a flag to the VHF antenna to find yer boat, lol)<br /><br />we replaced ours fairly often, especially when it was docked, beginning of season, new flapper, kerplunk in the water she would go<br /><br />worked great!