OOPS! Forgot the plug.

[DLM]

Well, I finally did it.

I went up to Detroit Sunday to make sure I got everything hooked up mounted correctly on the new FF. Backed into the water and launched and just as I pulled the boat up on the beach (winter ramp) I remembered that I had forgot to put the plug in.101duh101

Luckily the trailer was still in the water and there was no wind. I was able to push the boat back out, but with the added weight of the water pouring into the boat, it did not glide or respond well to the guidance I was giving it with the bow line. A couple nice guys that had also just lauching helped me guide it onto the trailer and I got it out just as water was starting to show up on the floor in the back.

Of course I felt like an idiot, but better there and then instead of during the summer on some crowded ramp with a bigger audience.

I only tell this on myself because I know you guys are very understanding, and I am sure I am not the first here to have this type of memory lapse.

 

[trollin olin]

Those that have and those that will. Glad you had some help close by.

 

[SuperD]

I have been very surprised how many nice boats don't have an auto switch on the bilge pump. The once or twice that this has happened to me, I knew it before I was even off the trailer because the auto bilge started shooting a 3' stream of water out the side of my boat. Everyone should have an auto bilge, peace of mind in heavy rain at a dock and saved my bacon with a plug a time or 2.

 

[SmokeOnTheWater]

I once launched my boat with a quadrapelegic onboard. Went and parked the trailer and when I came to the boat the water level was already flooding my carpet flooring. I took the boat outside the bouy markers and was finally able to get it up on plane so the water would siphon out. It's amazing that a 1" hole coming in and a 1" hole going out from the bilge doesn't equal out. Water comes in faster than the pump can get rid of it.

You should have seen the expression on my buddy's face! tooexcited

That's when he told me he couldn't swim, handicap or not!

Then you should have seen the look on my face! 101shock1101

And to think this guy served in the US NAVY. Go Figure? 101duh101

I think we've all been there one time or another. If any of you reading this post haven't already done this - you will someday!

 

[SuperD]

My favorite "no plug" story involves my friend and a trip last year. A few of us had agreed to meet at Lake "X" and when I get there, one of the group is running down the ramp at mach speed. I watch him run to the water and dive in clothes and all. *side note, it was bitter cold! I pull down to launch myself and he comes up for air. I'm torn as to whether or not it is appropriate to laugh my ass off. BUT, what he did next is what gets him the brass balls award. He jumps in the boat and heads out to start fishing. Blue jeans - wet, sweatshirt - wet, ball cap - wet! I'm sorry but I would have gone to get the trailer and headed home and called it a day.

 

[Kokonuts]

The Famous Plug!

The same thing happened to someone I know whistlersmother But his wife was at the dock taking Pictures! Needless to say worthy12 it cost a lot to get those #@* pictures!!

Kokonuts

 

[SmokeOnTheWater]

So, where are the pics - Let's see em and all have a laugh hyst !

Ya can't bait us like that and then leave us high and dry?

 

[RalphL]

I keep the plug attached to the motor key.. Been there ,got the tee shirt..

 

[Bduck]

Been there & had my fun with it too. But here is another issue, whenever I trailer the boat, I pull the plugs from my IO motor to drain out the motor. Its a definate must during the winter time and you have some travel time to get boat home. One day I went to launch, the transom plug was in but when I started the motor, after about a minute my engine had a weird sound to it. Then I saw water rapidly rising in the back of the boat. When I opened the dog house over the motor I could see water shooting from one port and shooting out to the side from a second port. That's when I remembered that the plugs weren't installed. bandmyhead The water pump system worked well in the engine and the bilge pump did its job but not as good as the engine water pump. But I didn't have to trailer the boat on this occasion. 101smily101

 

[DLM]

Any ideas why the drain holes in the boats require plugs. Why not a valve to open and close instead of a plug. On some of the boats I have seen with offshore brackets it looks like it would be a PITA to get down under the bracket and put the plug in. Sure, you still would have to remember to close the valve before launching but;

Plugs wear out, valves rarely do.
You won't forget and leave your valve at home.
You won't lose your valve.
Valves could be set up to operate from inside or outside of the boat.
Valves could even be electric.

Am I missing something here?

 

[smokepoles]

Well, i haven't forgot the plug (yet), but last year I did forget to take off the transom tie downs. I noticed the boat went keewampus as I was launching. I thought to myself, "gee, I didn't crank at all, why is it off to the side?" Then it struck me that the boat was floating the trailer.

My son and I have a routine down pretty well, but when I'm out with someone new, things go awry.

 

[trollin olin]

I always put the plug on the transom strap hook so I will remember to install. I am still waiting to be talking or my buddy take the straps off and not think about it. Dumbass laws anyway in CA.

 

[SmokeOnTheWater]

Has anyone left the bow winch strap attached to the boat after launch, jump in the truck and head to the parking lot?

YEP! 101faceslap101

Damn near dry docked the boat that day!

 

[Bduck]

Any ideas why the drain holes in the boats require plugs. Why not a valve to open and close instead of a plug. On some of the boats I have seen with offshore brackets it looks like it would be a PITA to get down under the bracket and put the plug in. Sure, you still would have to remember to close the valve before launching but;

Plugs wear out, valves rarely do.
You won't forget and leave your valve at home.
You won't lose your valve.
Valves could be set up to operate from inside or outside of the boat.
Valves could even be electric.

Am I missing something here?

I have found that the smaller ports if attaching a valve it restricts the drainage and the water doesn't drain as it should. Putting a drain valve in the small ports is like putting a plug back in. You are so right about the plugs getting lost, worn out but I keep extras on board. Small engines of course have small plugs.

 

[t50]

Watched a guy last year that first floated his trailer, then unstrapped and backed in again. Second attempt he forgot the plug. Since he was alone his boat sunk in the ramp area before he got back down to it. Took most of the day to float the boat. (The tide went out) finally got out to a hog line and threw the anchor... no rope, just the anchor.... I didn't see him load but hope that something went his way that day.

 

[eenakoK]

I took my boat 150 miles away from my house, got to the river and launched the boat. We have the mile run to where we were going fishing. While we were setting up the downriggers, and my son says why is there water coming in the boat.. Well needless to say, we pulled all the gear in, started the boat and got it on plane and let the water drain out. We were able to put the plug back in and still have a blast catching fish!

 

[matt_has_mail]

I have never forgotten my plug * knock on wood,* I keep it on my key chain as well. I did however buy a new jet boat last year and had never operated one before. I learned a good lesson on closing the ball valve on my sand trap. I started and launched the boat and beached it on the sand bar, then rand up to my pickup and figured Id let the defroster warm up when I came back I had quite a bit of water in the boat. Luckily my bilge pumps got it out and my buddies don't give me too much s**t about it. That is half the fun of fishing, without bad days, the good ones wouldn't be all that good.

 

[SuperD]

It seems like boat manufacturers could work with forgetful boaters by providing access to the drain hole from inside the boat. My boat has such access that I could at least stick a rag in the hole and reduce the in flow to a trickle.

 

[RalphL]

you would think a lever driven stopper like a sink drain would be easy enough..

 

[Fishdork]

Been there, done that. "Dad, Why is the gas tank floating?"
My Ex used to say "It doesn't surprise me the studid things your co-workers do, it surprises me they admit it"
Transom clamps can cause a hernia pushing the boat off the trailer.
Extra corks in obvious places because that water rushing in can wash the plug under the floor boards. Re-attach the chain? nah, takes too long..
I've always said a busy boat ramp can provide great entertainment. Heard stories for years and finally saw someone launch their truck. Headlights underwater give me a bad feeling in my guts.
Many years with the same boat developed pattern of disconnecting winch ratchet but leaving rope on going down the ramp. Dad got a different boat of the same model. They call them Easy Roller trailers for a reason. Transoms and lower units can really catch on asphalt.
I try to be careful and ask a lot of questions whenever launching an unfamiliar boat.