Joined the no plug group - BIG TIME

[tarpleyg]

Re: Joined the no plug group - BIG TIME

To fix it I used a heat shrink butt splice. Before I put one of these on I always apply some di-electric grease to the stripped ends of the wire to seal the connection from the air. Also, I pull on the crimp to make sure it will not just slip out of the crimp. No known failures that way YET.

TerryMSU

Anything that could go underwater should always be soldered. Then you can heat shrink it. Saves a boatload (hah, what a pun!) of headaches down the road.

 

[Flynny]

Re: Joined the no plug group - BIG TIME

Not to hijack the thread but I joined the club last year.

I was at a busy public launch ramp with my family, and I was in my boat as we launched it. As my dad pulled the truck and empty trailer up the ramp, I lowered the engine and did all the "pre-flight" checks. I happened to look down into the ski locker and noticed there was about 3 inches of water in it and thought, "That's not right!". Luckily I was able to flag my dad down before the boat lost all buoyancy, and we quickly got it on the trailer again and pulled it up to let it drain out. The embarrassing thing is there's a sign right next to the ramp that says "Is the plug in?"

 

[j_martin]

Re: Joined the no plug group - BIG TIME

Dang, did it again this morning. Put the boat in. Wife got everything ready while I parked the truck. Donned my life jacket, started up, and blasted off. Noticed it was a little doggy. Got across the lake to the first fishing spot, dropped in the trolling motor, wife comments, "Why are my feet getting wet."

Pulled in the trolling motor, got started up, got it on plane and draining, then had the wife drive while I looked for the plug. It was not in it's usual spot in the splash well. So we made a couple of rounds around the lake, then beached it. I stripped and went over the side commando and moved the plug from the live well drain to the bilge drain.

I must admit it was a refreshing dip.

 

[05blastsrt4]

Re: Joined the no plug group - BIG TIME

never forgot my plug......yet
i'm sure it will happen someday, hoopefully no one is around to see my mistake!!!!

 

[j_martin]

Re: Joined the no plug group - BIG TIME

never forgot my plug......yet
i'm sure it will happen someday, hoopefully no one is around to see my mistake!!!!

That's what I thought.
Next on the agenda, a boarding ladder and spare skivies in the boat.

 

[mommicked]

Re: Joined the no plug group - BIG TIME

I can say I've finally mastered the "Feel" of my boat so well that the last time I launched it, after a 2 month hiatus from the lake, I "Felt" something not right as I backed off the trailor and went to turn from the traffic In my 18' jon w 380lb. 4 stroke hung on the arse.(The boat had been in the water for about a minute on the trailor). At that precise moment I realized I had not installed the plug. My driver (1st time fishing w me) reacted perfectly as I yelled/waved COME BACK!!! to him as he pulled away, and quickly backed back down the ramp. I spun around and brought the sinking boat to the trailor. It took 14 mins to drain the water. We did not seem to upset anyone in line (some quiet laughter) and it must have looked like we had practiced this before as we were very quick in the launching/ loading/ leaving!:redface: Next time I think ill just reach down and stick the plug in in the water and turn on the bilge.:redface:

 

[fishndirk]

Re: Joined the no plug group - BIG TIME

I can only imagine! Must have been halariouse!!! Who knows, I might be there some day when im deep into an 18 pack before i get in the water. Oh well, sh*t happens. Good luck fishin