Transom drain plug

O

OUTRIGGER

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Jan 12, 2011
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C Dory Year
2004
C Dory Model
22 Cruiser
Vessel Name
Bella Juliette
Just purchased a used 22 Cruiser and will be putting it in the fresh water lake soon where it will stay for around 8 months before taking it out for the winter. It makes me nervous that only the little rubber plug (made in China, costing a few bucks) is all that stops the boat from sinking. Have any of you who keep your boat in the water all the time come up with a
secondary plug or something else to give an owner a little more confidence that the boat won't take on water.
Thanks for your help and suggestions.
 
outrigger-

I've never had one come out accidentally, either in the water or on the trailer.

Be sure you have a quality MARINE plug, with all brass parts: t-handle, threaded shaft, threaded expansion washer, and a good high quality rubber (probably Neoprene) stopper.

I have seen boats with expansion stoppers bought at the hardware store that were intended for use in a Thermos vacuum flask(!) :shock:

I put mine on from the outside of the boat for convenience, but some folks put them on from the inside of the boat, which might be more secure from accidental displacement.

For a never-ending debate on the "Inny vs. Outie" discussion, click Here

Also see Proper Drain Plug Techniques

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Caution for those that own multiple boats- Never use the brass version in an aluminum boat- use stainless steel.

We had a customer with a North River that sat on his bouy disappear one night. He assumed it was stolen (and that the ba$tards got his mooring bouy too!) Only when he rowed out, he could see the boat on the bottom.

Galvanic action caused the brass in the plug to give itself up. Once the threads in the washer had been compromised, the middle the T handle insert dropped out of the boat, allowing water in. We're suer the bilge pumps did what they could while the batteries lasted.

This boat was less than six months onld and was totalled by the insurance company.

Please note I've never seen this happen on a fiberglass boat. The plug should be inspected once in awhile and properly installed. If you are concerned, and for peace of mind, you may want to install a threaded drain plug.
 
i was always paranoid of this :| so for some peace of mind leavin her in the slip year-round, i simply keep a hot wire independent of the battery switch along with 2 bilges with a float switch. :disgust
 
I also perfer the "T" handle, rather the flip the top "L" version. I have left boats in salt water for months--years with these in place, and no problems. For long term salt water use, I prefer the brass (or bronze) screw in plug, but the C Dory comes with the expanding rubber,and it works.
 
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