Plug it up!!!!!

[5150abf]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

I have an auto bilge on mine that I put an alarm on so when the pump kicks on the alarm goes off and you know immediately that you have a problem.

This came about from a "forgot the plug" incident that came about 10 seconds form sinking me, I decided right then that it wouldn't happen again and had the alarm on before the next trip.

 

[madgadget]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

Agree I forgot mine once, but has auto bilge pump that's way over-rated. It was not a problem the cause like many here was my routine got interrupted by taking friends who wanted to help who weren't there usually so I missed the plug. They saw and realised and plugged it in for me whilst I was parking the 4x4.

 

[rollo1002]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

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.

I tried that school of thought but I live in the Pacific Northwest and it rains often. Last time I got to the boat ramp using this technique, I had enough water in my boat I had to drain it at the launch which took a good 3-5 minutes.

 

[haleyhat]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

to prevent this I purchased a new plug that is like a check valve. water will flow out but will not come in. It has a regular plug that u screw in. But if u forget, it has a little ball that the pressure from the lake prevents water from coming in. when you load the boat just screw the plug out like normal.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

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

If yer built like an average Harley rider, you could use the exercise.

 

[madman2021]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

theres a boat plug holder that you attach to your winch handle. any boat place should carry it. thats what i use.

 

[BLD]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

You learn something new everyday. I haven't dropped the boat into the water yet without a plug, but that's because I'd put the plug in while in my driveway before leaving. After reading about the ridiculous rule regarding towing with a plug in in CA, I think my chances of forgetting the plug just tripled. Thanks CA

 

[joed]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

You learn something new everyday. I haven't dropped the boat into the water yet without a plug, but that's because I'd put the plug in while in my driveway before leaving. After reading about the ridiculous rule regarding towing with a plug in in CA, I think my chances of forgetting the plug just tripled. Thanks CA

There's some rule banning you from towing your boat with the plug in? Never heard of such a thing until now.

 

[l008com]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

I've never launched without the plug but I have driven all the way to the launch without the plug, and had to turn around and go home. My solution is spare plugs in the glove box! Plus my boat is small enough that, i'd see the water right away, probably before I even unhooked the boat.

But one time back in the 80s, while me my brother and my dad were boating out in the lake, we lost the plug. It was a weird style plug with a handle, I don't think it actually screwed in like a bolt. Anyway we were out looking for the "sunken island", all leaning over the boat looking. Then someone looked back and we were sinking! We gunned it home. Little speed boats plane out so easy, as long as the engine isn't underwater, (or the hull) you should be good.

 

[81 beachcomber]

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...

Ive seen the key floaters that have it written on them (the float that you put on ur key ring)

Me i keep my plug sitting on the coupler on the trailer, first thing that gets done when i go boating.

I forgot the plug once but remebered before i took it off the trailer, so i just pulled back out and put the plug in, now it goes on the coupler

 

[VegasNordie]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

I dont know how many of you have holes in your steering wheels, but i always stick my plug in the hole on the steering wheel...it never gets forgotten now! also keep and extra in the transom area...but i have forgotten the plug in my old boat on a crowded ramp...i realized it right away cause someone was backing me in and i heard the water rush in...

 

[cribber]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

I've got plugs everywhere. I keep one with the trailer tongue pin and install it when I get ready to hook up the trailer. I also have a couple in the bilge, a couple in the tool bag, and a couple in the glove box. Luckily in Florida you can trailer with the plug in and don't have ramp inspections for invasive species.

 

[Kaptain Kickstand]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

This is simple but it works for me. I had a bright red paint stick and wrote PLUG in 2 places by the winch on the trailer you can't miss it when you release the winch

 

[Hottip]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

Biddle, you nailed it. I put the plug in before I take it out of the garage. The keys and the plug wrench are sitting on the trailer tongue.

 

[Andy'sDelight]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

I'm lucky, I only ever forgot the plug in my V20, which conveniently allows me to plug it from inside the boat. Backed in and saw the water coming in and jumped back therer too plug it up immediately. I don't tow my main rig very often so...knock on wood.

 

[Don Dickinson]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

i haven't forgotten my plug yet ... but i think i'm destined to. i used to have this nice routine before leaving home:
1. hitch the boat to the truck
2. hookup the lights
3. tilt the motor up
4. put the plug in.

last year minnesota add an anti-invasive species law that made it illegal to trailer a boat with the plug in. i suppose its mainly intended to prevent people from leaving the boat landing with your plug in, but the way the law goes, you have to have it out when traveling. so, i have to change the plug to be part of my "before launch" routine instead of "before leaving home" routine. crap, the older i get the harder it is to change my routines

 

[ejj44]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

This is what the Minnesota DNR offers to is boaters....
http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/plugstickerwinch1.jpg
We also have law that requires you to take the plug out after you leave the access area.

One thing that I have is a temporary plug that I bought for a couple bucks. It is meant to put on your key chain. This serves 2 purposes for me. Being it on my key chain, it helps me remember to check the plug and it is there in case I forgot or lose my plug.

Happy Boating!

 

[jstaz]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

I believe the principal of the water coming out ot the hull while at high speeds is called the venturi affect. We use that principal in firefighting when dealing with foam into hose lines.

 

[l008com]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

Yeah once you're planed out, there will be no more water pressure on the outside of the plug. So the water in the boat should just drip right out from gravity, as if the boat was not in the water at all.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Plug it up!!!!!

Yeah I used to have some fun with that, my first boat was a 14' tiller steer tinny jon that leaked like a sieve. Everytime I'd take someone out for the first time I'd let a fair amount of water leak into the boat and then tell them to reel in their line we were going to move. I'd get the boat up on plane and pull the plug and then yell "OMG OMG we're gonna sink!!!" and show them the plug. Most of them would get big eyed or say "I hope you know what the hell you're doing".... but when they noticed the water leaving the boat they'd call me a butthole and I would laugh.