Boat plug, in or out?

[Greg J.]

Saw a post over at the BPS Talk Forums concerning the boat plug. Do most of you leave the plug in (constantly) or take it out?

 

[Mike Newman]

I never really thought about it much, but usually I leave the plugs in. They are usually only out long enough to drain rain/wash water from recent trip.

 

[Herndonpro]

I take it out. There always seems to be a drop or two in the bilge at the end of the day. So I let it run out on the way home.

 

[Greg J.]

What caught my atention on the topic was that one member posted that his plug hasn't been out in 20 yrs. Rubber can shrink/dryrot over a period of time, and I was wondering if there's just built-up gunk/debris keeping a seal between the boat and the water. I take mine out whenever I pull the boat out of the water.

 

[Texas Transplant]

I take it out when I take the boat out of the water. By the time I'm home, it's fairly well all drained out.



I leave it out at home. Of course, I ALWAYS check it both at home before leaving, and also at the ramp.



Tex

 

[Greg Meyer]

Best way to state my system... THe plug is in ONLY when the boat is in the water... Helps keep the bilge from smelling musty...

 

[Steve Rizza]

Only take mine out over winter.

I put a squirt of dish washing liquid into the little bit of water that is left in the bilge to clean out the grime.



Steve

 

[mike chip]

i always pull mine unless it going in the water. i think it helps it from smelling musty, and on the off chance my cover fails the boat wont fill up with water. especially in winter when it could freeze.

mike

 

[TrepMan]

I keep mine in the garage, but i've found that I get more water in the bildge on my Nitro then my Tracker, due to the splashwell and if I come off plane too quick and don't trim down before comming off plane, it splashes out of the splashwell and into the bildge. So I take the plug out at the lake ,and like tex any water is gone by the time I get home. So one of my check list items when I get home, besides plugging in the Guest charger is putting the plug back in.

 

[Tim m]

In a glass TAKE IT OUT but a newer tin that has welded seams.LEAVE IT IN..If unless it has rivits or you store it outside then you will have some in there...Be safe than sorry

 

[Dan Sullivan]

Mine's out while out of the water. It fits perfectly in the transom drain hole while in the garage. The only time I've had water in the bildge was after a storm.

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

Out unless going into the water. I also have a bar of Ivory soap in my bilge....biodegradeable and keeps the bilge sparkly clean.



TOXIC

 

[Texas Transplant]

Toxic,



Like the idea of the ivory soap. Gonna have to try that one.



Tex

 

[Dan J.]

Whatever the boat, I strongly suggest that you pull the plug when out of the water. If you bust, lose or have a dry-rotted o-ring/drain plug, I guarantee the replacement cost will be cheaper than glass delamination, rusted hardware, mold/mildew removal, etc.... Keeping your bilge dry is very good preventative maintenance.

 

[Bruce Freeman]

OK I can't help myself, the Ivory soap does not leave a toxic emmision?

BF...............................LOL

Oh my reply to the question, the plug is out until the boat goes in the water and sometimes still not then, yup I done it.. It was 30 years ago but everybody does it at least once and if you have not yet you will.

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

Bruce....With me in the boat you would never tell~~:lol::lol:



TOXIC

 

[Christopher Laurencio]

I take my pulg out all the time, the guy I bought the Ranger from did not, as soon as I got the boat I pulled it and a bucnh of real bad looking water came out, the first trip with the boat I took on water, and was panicked. I then replaced the plug and flange, and pull it out every time. The Ranger Dealer told me to always take the plug out