Plug it up!!!!!

[nuboat2me]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

Not a legal option here in California where it is illegal to tow your boat with the plug installed.

Wayne

Huh????

 

[xeddog]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

That's what I thought too. It's illegal in California to tow your boat with the plug installed. I don't remember where, but a few months ago someone posted the text. It looked pretty nebulous, but not worth challenging. I don't remember if it was vehicle code or somewhere in the DFG regs, or . . .???? Probably something to do with the invasive species like the Quagga Muscle if it really is law. I have read a thread somewhere about someone receiving a $1500 fine at one of the border vehicle inspection stations for towing a boat into California with the plug in.

I know a lot of this sounds ridiculous, but we ARE talking about California. The politicians are just making this state unlivable. Just recently, San Francisco outlawed Happy Meals. Well, not exactly. But they did outlaw toys in fast food meals like the Happy Meal.

Anyway, that's my story and I'm stickin to it.

Wayne

 

[cribber]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

I never leave home without the plug firmly installed. I keep the plug and the pin for my swing away tongue on the same D rind hanging in the back of my tow vehicle. Before I leave we do a walk around the trailer and I touch my transom straps, the bilge plug, bow strap and chain, and trailer chains. This hasn't failed me yet in nearly three years.

One day I will likely forget and I have spare plugs in the tool bag, console and in the engine compartment. Call me paranoid... but so far I haven't been smacked by Murphy in that area.

 

['96 Charger]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

I've started attaching the brass plug to the killswitch and the allan wrench I use to tighten and loosen it tucked in the seat. That way it's there looking at me if I forget and try to sit down.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

The first (and hopefully last) time I forgot the plug it was because I had a lot of people with me, and the attention distracts me from my routine.

Now, when the transom straps come off, the plug goes in.

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

Why do people have to wait till a few minutes before they put the boat in the water before they secure the drain plug? Why cant this be done AT HOME before they leave. I always check EVERYTHING while the boat is still in my yard and believe it or not the boat can be towed with the drain plug in. I would rather take my time while the boat is still in my yard than to get in a hurry at a busy landing and forget something.I think this is what happens much of the time.

 

[anple]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

They want to drain the water out while trailering... just simple as that...

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

We have plugs everywhere on board. Toolbox, glove box, boat key ring, engine well and lanyard. Have not forgotten yet but there is always a first time

 

[metalwizard]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

As many stories as I hear about forgetting your plug. I think I have a good idea.

I have a small business making custom vinyl decals, I do mostly Rocketry related decals. One that I sell a ton of are "Warning: arm electronics" you put that near the arm switch for you flight computers.. saves LOTS of rockets..


how about a decal with big black letter letters for boaters.... "Don't forget the plug" one for the dash on your boat and another on the dash of the tow vehicle.


a simple reminder... might save a bunch of wet boats...

 

[Biged007]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

Okay time for a real stupid question I have the pipe thread type why can't you use a swing check it would hold while at anchor so to speak and at speed would empty the bilge and flow on the trailer

 

[marcoalza]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

First time I ever took my boat out I forgot the plug but luckily the harbour hands noticed and told me.

I never forget the plug but last time I went out I forgot to take the transom straps off!

Those big black things next to the plug I always put in!:redface:

 

[veritas honus]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

Everyone here is dead on bud, I am a routine guy, so my routine is get wife into Boat, plug, transom straps, bow cover and cooler. Now sometimes my wife is in a hurry and when she wants the cooler out of sequence is when I forget things. she wanted the cooler when I was on the transom straps twice this year so I forgot them twice, my wife picked up on what happened and now she waits and asks me if I am ready for the cooler and if I have taken off the transom straps? Its humbling bud Like the others have told you even the seasoned boaters forget things don't feel bad just take the ribbing and smile, it will be your chance to deliver the ribbing soon enough.

Your wife sometimes wants the cooler out of sequence? Are you kidding me

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

Out of MY sequence this is one of the very compromises she sites in our loving relationship, she changed her sequence of events to align with mine when we go boating, I compromise at all other times. Have I told you I enjoy alcohol alot more in this marriage then my last?

 

[veritas honus]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

Out of MY sequence this is one of the very compromises she sites in our loving relationship, she changed her sequence of events to align with mine when we go boating, I compromise at all other times. Have I told you I enjoy alcohol alot more in this marriage then my last?

Is that why she wants the cooler out of sequence? Well, that's perfectly acceptable, that being the case. I see now that it was YOUR fault. Sequence should be: Get wife into boat, pass her a beer, plug... What's wrong with you man........................

 

[MPII]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

2 types of boaters: those who have forgotten the plug, and those who will.

This is so true. 30 Years Boating, I did it this summer. Worst part was, I had launched, parked, went back to boat. Realized the plug was out. Had to jump in the water to get it in, it was Early April so Water temp was very cold. Then, was wondering why the Bildge wasn't working (its on a float), had tested it, and in between test and launch, failed.

I do it once every so often!

 

[DianneB]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

I always seem to have lots of "help" when launching and I know I am likely to get interrupted trying to follow a check list so I have a little cloth bag on a fluorescent orange safety ribbon that hangs on the steering wheel. The plug, frost/drain plugs, boat keys, and anything else critical goes in the bag. When the bag is empty (everything installed where it should be) the empty bag is stowed. That makes it easy - if the bright ribbon is on the wheel, the boat is not yet seaworthy.

 

[sasto]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

Why do people have to wait till a few minutes before they put the boat in the water before they secure the drain plug? Why cant this be done AT HOME before they leave. I always check EVERYTHING while the boat is still in my yard and believe it or not the boat can be towed with the drain plug in. I would rather take my time while the boat is still in my yard than to get in a hurry at a busy landing and forget something.I think this is what happens much of the time.

I'm with you.....fairlaneman. If I'm trailering a boat, which is not far, everything is prepped at home where I'm the most comfortable and I don't rely on anybody.

 

[rickryder]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

how about a decal with big black letter letters for boaters.... "Don't forget the plug" one for the dash on your boat and another on the dash of the tow vehicle.


a simple reminder... might save a bunch of wet boats...

Great idea! I have that sticker on my Harley..... "Turn the gas on stupid" Sure helps when you kick the damn thing 20 times and it won't start

 

[fisherguy123]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

As many stories as I hear about forgetting your plug. I think I have a good idea.

I have a small business making custom vinyl decals, I do mostly Rocketry related decals. One that I sell a ton of are "Warning: arm electronics" you put that near the arm switch for you flight computers.. saves LOTS of rockets..


how about a decal with big black letter letters for boaters.... "Don't forget the plug" one for the dash on your boat and another on the dash of the tow vehicle.


a simple reminder... might save a bunch of wet boats...

Great idea .....hope you sell them here....I`ll take 2 ....maybe you can send me a demo set !!!lol

 

[Jake007]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

Been boating my whole life .......... and it happened to me too. Same excuse as others.... normal sequence not followed. For me, I had an important business associate on the boat and the safety patrol was at the docks doing inspections. I needed to get a new safety sticker, so I hurried and backed her in, parked the truck, and when I got back to the boat the safety officer and my friend were standing there looking at the back of the boat now filling with water. Grabbed the plug and got her put in. I went on with the inspection with my bilge pump running the whole time and passed. Boy did I look like a wiener in front of the safety guy and work associate. Since then, I have also changed my routine to put in the plug at my house when I put on the trailer safety straps. There are too many 'other' things that can go wrong at the ramp.