Left the plug out!

**282** · 06-01-2016, 06:04 AM

I started sailing at 8 years old I am now 49, so 41 years on boats and this is the second time I left the plug out. My 17 year old daughter was driving, of course as fast as she can so we did not notice until she slowed down. I jumped in put the plug in, bilge did the rest and off we went. Who else has done this? Can I be the only idiot??

**rock** · 06-01-2016, 06:53 AM

Borrowed a prop to test and headed down river to the beach. Did our thing and returned without the prop. Already had boat on trailer but time I realized it so we loaded her back in and in my hurry to retrieve borrowed prop forgot to put plug back in. Made it a couple hundred yards and felt water so returned to the trailer to let it drain out. Put plug in and headed to the beach. By then my friends were coming back and they had my borrowed prop. I stopped when I saw them coming and by the time they got close I felt water again. Even though I did put plug in apparently there was enough oil and crap in the bilge that the plug just slid out of the hole. Only time I tried to sink one twice in less than an hour. You're not alone.

Rock

**Baja170** · 06-01-2016, 07:28 AM

I have done this three times and did not notice until our feet got wet in my Baja. Had to drive around slowly so the water would run out then install the plug by crawling under the splashwell, I usually put it in from the outside the easy way. Those were the only times my wife drove that Baja when we had to be off plane plowing water so the water inside would run out. She hated that boat.

Luckily have not done it since.

I got my first boat at 8 and will be 50 this year myself. The lower your stern sits in the water the longer it takes for your feet to get wet in the front when you are sitting still in the boat enjoying a beer.

Back in the day with the Baja it was drop in the boat, head to a cove, stop and pop a beer immediately. Never saw the water coming up until we got wet feet any of the three times. After the first the wife would bust my balls every time for it. Kinda hard to change drivers when you have a hot foot and a Baja 170SS full of water sloshing around. Oh well, live and learn.

I would bet money more than just the three of us have done this.

**FMP** · 06-01-2016, 07:41 AM

Funny, I've seen a boat get launched and quickly tied to the dock . The folks went to the car and took enough time that when they got back like 45min. the boat was quite full.

**David - WI** · 06-01-2016, 09:03 AM

Originally Posted by FMP

Funny, I've seen a boat get launched and quickly tied to the dock . The folks went to the car and took enough time that when they got back like 45min. the boat was quite full.

Damn it, I didn't think anybody saw that.

I bet you didn't see me do it the second time about 2 days later... I left the plug out so the boat would drain from the first time.

**tux974** · 06-01-2016, 09:05 AM

NEVER ever done that....

**STV_Keith** · 06-01-2016, 10:57 AM

Did it once in my Scarab. Put in at the launch ramp and drove 2 miles down the lake to pick up a friend before I reached into the cup holder and found the plug. Jumped in and put it in, then checked the bilge...dry. Apparently a 2000gph automatic bilge pump can out run a 1/2 drain plug.

**FMP** · 06-01-2016, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by David - WI

Damn it, I didn't think anybody saw that.

I bet you didn't see me do it the second time about 2 days later... I left the plug out so the boat would drain from the first time.

Damn again, that's even funnier.

**1954bmw** · 06-01-2016, 12:38 PM

Go to launch my new to me 180 Sea Ray with my two sons and first x-wife, x can't back up the trailer, so I set everything up, all she has to do is drop it into reverse, drop us in the water and pull straight ahead into a parking place. Everything is going good and then you see the ski locker filling with water. X is walking down the ramp and I'm barreling thru a no wake zone screaming to put the trailer back in the water. Forgot to tell you the water patrol is taking out as I'm putting in, lady patrol officer is watching me blast thru the no wake and asks x "did he forget the plug?" and she ended up having to back the trailer in for us. Second time in my life and both times with a new boat.

**Robby321** · 06-01-2016, 03:53 PM

Steep ramp the channel our lake house. Switzer SS17, XS Merc. Put the SS prop on stuffed it in still on the trailer and went in the house for a beer. Came back out and looked in the back and FULLA WATER! Slowly get it out bit at time to drain.

Now I didn't "leave the plug out"...but I Did FORGET TO PUT IT IN!

Worst was one night got the house late. GF loaded boat with beer as heading to a party down river Fox Chain. Put the prop on and the nut, but forgot to tighten it up! Left and shot across the lake and lay off the foot as coming into the river. Well, chithouse fulla neutrals now? Had horizontal race trims rams, no tilt, reached down to a nice driveshaft ONLY!

Real close Pirates Island so paddled to the beach and spent the night! Towed back morning, ran back to my Merc wrench in Chitown, new prop ($280 in 75) and now before any launch, Plug and Prop on and SECURE? Then make sure gas and beer!

**Greg G** · 06-01-2016, 04:52 PM

First boat was a Glastron GT150 with a 115 Evinrude. Was dating a girl more and more so time to bring her to my folks house and take her for a spin after Junior year at College. She was not really a boater but loved the water so we hop in and away we go from the dock. All good until I pass the no wake and hit the throttle. Nose way high but won't come on plane? Pull throttle back and feel a rush of water on my toes!

Had to gun it, an plow it up onto the beach in front of a whole bunch of people. Did a nice job of impressing my girlfriend at the time who is now my wife

**stokernick** · 06-02-2016, 10:42 AM

at one of the early ROMPS, Charles from Delaware showed up with his rig with a rag stuffed in his drain hole, used to carry extras just in case!

**knarloid** · 06-02-2016, 03:11 PM

About 10yrs ago, in Ireland, I was meeting up with a pal at a lake to go out in my 16' skiboat. Always had my checklist down to a 't', but it also required a second person to take on some of the tasks - like hauling the trailer away after I launch.
So pal calls me as I arrive to say he can't make it now, so I decide I'll go out on my own since I'm here.

Proceed to launch, tie off boat at ramp (quiet area) and tow trailer back to only available spaces at far side of lot. By the time I wander back to the boat, the back seats are almost under water. I drag the boat to the ramp to prevent it going under and sprint back to get trailer.
Hauled the boat 50% up the trailer (it was 'kin heavy!) to drain it out for 10mins.

Then went out for a spin myself when I finally got the plug in.

One thing I won't forget was the old grandmother sitting on a park bench right by the ramp staring at all this unfold while her grandson was playing nearby. Thankfully cameras didn't have cellphones back then and FB was unknown.

**Li'l Toy** · 06-02-2016, 08:39 PM

Backyard Carribean Club race (non-APBA) down at Key Largo many years ago in my EP boat. Went to plane off, it was always a challenge with no trim and the motor set for top end, and it wouldn't. Had to plow around to get it lighter, then managed to get a buddy to back the trailer down to put the plug in. I miss the good old days of little simple tiller boats where you put the plug in from the inside, and the way to dry the boat out was to get on a plane and reach down and pull the plug.

**Robby321** · 06-02-2016, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by Li'l Toy

Backyard Carribean Club race (non-APBA) down at Key Largo many years ago in my EP boat. Went to plane off, it was always a challenge with no trim and the motor set for top end, and it wouldn't. Had to plow around to get it lighter, then managed to get a buddy to back the trailer down to put the plug in. I miss the good old days of little simple tiller boats where you put the plug in from the inside, and the way to dry the boat out was to get on a plane and reach down and pull the plug.

My only rubber plug boat is my Flatty. 5/8th hole. As never sits water or rain, I still do both transom and inside plugs! Had to cut off some the thread each to clear as against each other. And the "old and simple"? "Duckbill on a Hydro"!