Da plug--inny or outy
- Thread starter dotnmarty
- Start date
On the outside, with a spare inside.
This is the only correct way, and has been proven through carefully controlled, peer reviewed scientific studies. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Oh - and the answer to the other raging debate - a single plus kicker.
:xnaughty
This is the only correct way, and has been proven through carefully controlled, peer reviewed scientific studies. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Oh - and the answer to the other raging debate - a single plus kicker.
:xnaughty
Hi Folks,
Sometimes I think to much.
I usually put the plug on the inside when I want it in for a long time, like the whole season. I glance at it from time to time to show that it is in, and it is easier to check the tightness.
For short term, like launching for a day or short trip, I put it on the out side, just because it is easier.
Oh, the think to muck. If you leave it on the outside, some jerk swimmer can sneck up and take it out. I bet it has happened.
Fred
Sometimes I think to much.
I usually put the plug on the inside when I want it in for a long time, like the whole season. I glance at it from time to time to show that it is in, and it is easier to check the tightness.
For short term, like launching for a day or short trip, I put it on the out side, just because it is easier.
Oh, the think to muck. If you leave it on the outside, some jerk swimmer can sneck up and take it out. I bet it has happened.
Fred
flapbreaker
New member
I put mine on from the inside. Not sure how on earth you would tighten the plug if need be if it was on the outside. I've had a faulty plug before. And I like the kicker, main setup. :xnaughty
oh, and when the plug is not in I leave it in that depressed area near the whole where the bilge is. Plus I carry a spare up front.
oh, and when the plug is not in I leave it in that depressed area near the whole where the bilge is. Plus I carry a spare up front.
OK, fine...everyone wants to be serious this morning.
My rational for the "two plug" method - with the plug on the outside, it's a piece of cake to put it in and out when the boat is on the trailer. Which is the only place one should be putting the plug in/out. Retrieve the boat, pull the plug, strap down the transom, adjust the engine tilt, and put the plug back in. No need to hop in/out of the boat, crouch down under the motor well (getting your knees soaked on the certainly wet cockpit), all the while making a bunch of groaning old man noises.
The plug on the inside deals with "old man memory". Or the theoretical possibility that the plug comes out while underway...something I consider an old wives tale, but I'm paranoid enough to keep the spare down there.
Oh - and the absolute best plug made (and don't let anyone tell you otherwise :xnaughty ):
The Stainless T Plug. You can crank it down tighter, and it has no loop that could possibly be snagged on something while in the water.
And...the final bit o' coolness - head down to your local swimming pool supply store and pick up a tube of Aladdin Magic Lube. Apply it to the rubber on the plug.
This stuff was recommended to me many years back, for use on anything rubber - typically o-rings. It makes them last virtually forever, and provides a better seal. It just takes a tiny bit...I'm still using the first tube I bought.
My rational for the "two plug" method - with the plug on the outside, it's a piece of cake to put it in and out when the boat is on the trailer. Which is the only place one should be putting the plug in/out. Retrieve the boat, pull the plug, strap down the transom, adjust the engine tilt, and put the plug back in. No need to hop in/out of the boat, crouch down under the motor well (getting your knees soaked on the certainly wet cockpit), all the while making a bunch of groaning old man noises.
The plug on the inside deals with "old man memory". Or the theoretical possibility that the plug comes out while underway...something I consider an old wives tale, but I'm paranoid enough to keep the spare down there.
Oh - and the absolute best plug made (and don't let anyone tell you otherwise :xnaughty ):
The Stainless T Plug. You can crank it down tighter, and it has no loop that could possibly be snagged on something while in the water.
And...the final bit o' coolness - head down to your local swimming pool supply store and pick up a tube of Aladdin Magic Lube. Apply it to the rubber on the plug.
This stuff was recommended to me many years back, for use on anything rubber - typically o-rings. It makes them last virtually forever, and provides a better seal. It just takes a tiny bit...I'm still using the first tube I bought.
Hmmm First off, not an old wives tale, Bill. Old sailor tale 'cause mine (the flipper type - outside) was there when we launched, waterski'd, and messed around. (16 ft. other brand boat, NO bilge pump) Entered the launch/recovery area off-plane and suddenly noticed water. Thumbs don't do much but they will hold you over 'till the partner gets the trailer ready for speedy recovery. I assume we hit seaweed or something. I've used the screw tight plug ever since.
I put the plug in from the inside and rarely remove it, stored or at home. Out when I have to drain the Racor (tube through to a can on the ground) or where highly unusual cleanup is required. Remember the Beach Boys? - "It never rains in Southern California..."
Of course we do have the canvas mooring cover and the bilge pump in place and operational as safety backups should our definition of God rain on our parade.
Don
Sneaks":q5rcwx3g said:
OK...I'll retract my "old wives tale" comment.
Sneaks":q5rcwx3g said:
Yup...not only do they have much less to be "grabbed", removing them takes much more effort than "flip and pull". Also, one is forced to set the tension on every plug install - something I'm guessing is responsible for many leaks on the flip types.
Now...unless somebody can point to an experience where the screw-type has failed/fallen out on the outside, I'll stick with my dry pants, easy on the knees method. Keeping a spare in the bilge cutout, just in case I ever have to eat my words.
dotnmarty":1frq16x5 said:
"Inny" for me, with a spare plug conveniently attached to a short length of cord nearby. Easy to see that it is in place and properly seated.
This whole topic of "In of Out" leads me to stray with the following story.........
Years ago there was a mother skunk who had two "children". The "kids" names were "In" and "Out".
Each "kid" was a bit different. As "In" always wanted to play outside and "Out" preferred to play inside.
In the evening, mother skunk called the "children" to come to dinner.
As usual, "Out" was in and "In" was out.
Only "Out" came to the dinner table when called. So mother skunk sent "Out", out to find "In".
"Out" returned with "In" in fairly quick time, to which mother skunk inquired, "how did you find "In" so quickly?
To which "Out" replied, "instinct".
(Oh yeah, Twins for me!)
Outy for me. Not that it makes any practical difference -- although I do like pressure from the outside trying to hold the plug in rather than trying to squirt it out. I can reach the plug from the cockpit - while having someone holding my feet that is. :disgust Could be that smaller boats might want them on the inside if the need ever arises to remove it to drain the cockpit while underway.
CatyMae n Steve
New member
Outy with 2 spares inside....former boat dealer "borrowed" ours, so I figure you can't have too many!
Caty
Caty
I'm coming in late to this, but I always put it on the outside simply because, although it works either way, the outside is far easier and more convenient.
I'm too old and decrepit to want to punish myself by putting it in at the back of the bilge.
I used to put the plug on the inside in my Gregor aluminum boat, but it was best there, being more protected, and very easily reachable over the transom.
Best place to keep the plug when not in the drain hole is snapped onto the boat's key set which I have to retrieve from the tow vehicle to open the boat's locked cabin door. Helps to remind you to put it in the OUTSIDE of the hole before you climb aboard for launch preparation.
Joe.
I'm too old and decrepit to want to punish myself by putting it in at the back of the bilge.
I used to put the plug on the inside in my Gregor aluminum boat, but it was best there, being more protected, and very easily reachable over the transom.
Best place to keep the plug when not in the drain hole is snapped onto the boat's key set which I have to retrieve from the tow vehicle to open the boat's locked cabin door. Helps to remind you to put it in the OUTSIDE of the hole before you climb aboard for launch preparation.
Joe.