Boat Tansom Plug

[da.bell]

Since a few already know about my issue this weekend with forgetting to put the plug in before I launched my boat, what would you do if this was the case with your boat?

I personally launched the boat; heard the bilge pump start gurgling; my friend that launched me was coming back and I yelled back to him to retrieve the trailer; and proceeded to drive around at 5 mph before loading the boat back onto the trailer. The water never reached the engine, was above the steering wheel cable/rudder levers, and the bilge pump does work.

However, I am seriously considering putting a 8000 GPH pump into the boat now just because the 500 GHP pump that Tige provides wasn't sufficent enough to stay up with the amount of water being drawn into the boat.

So, what would you do?

[zad0030]

Add a 2nd pump. That way there is double the pumping power (or more) and a back up incase one were to fail.

Remember, this happened to us with our tige, but at the Lake of the Ozarks. And the water got to the point where it killed the engine. But it wasnt because the plug wasnt in

I dont think the 8000 gph will hook up with whats already in place or the tubes and clamps can withstand the pressure. Just a thought.

[da.bell]

Well, I would be changing out the tubes and the SS mushroom for sure to accommodate the need to increase the flow rates and sizes.

But, I created this thread to talk about what some others would do in an event that this happened to you.

[Matt Garcia]

I would jump in and put the plug in. I carry a spare for that reason.

[zad0030]

Well, I would be changing out the tubes and the SS mushroom for sure to accommodate the need to increase the flow rates and sizes.

But, I created this thread to talk about what some others would do in an event that this happened to you.

Signal for the trailer and either attempt to put the plug in or find a make shift plug, rag, shoe, key floatie... something to slow it down. Im talking about the center plug BTW.

If worse comes to worse find a nice soft shore and pull 'er up.

[Big Wave]

I am with Matt. Kill the engine jump in with the spare plug (which is in with the stereo). Problem solved.
Both my teenage kids and wife know the program because we seem to practice it once a year.

[zad0030]

Just remembered something. My cousin, who owns a supra, puts his plug in the drivers seat. It has the flip up bolster seat and he just wedges it in between the cushions. That way, even if you dont see it, you'll feel it.

[Fast1911]

All kidding aside, carrying a spare plug for transom and center plug is an excellent idea. That way you can place the center plug in or jump in and install the transom plug and then let the bilge pump take over. I dont think istalling a bigger pump is worth the hassle, although, a backup pump as Zad stated is a good idea. BTW, I ordered a second center plug today , I never take my transom plug out though so don't need to worry about that.

[Fast1911]

Just remembered something. My cousin, who owns a supra, puts his plug in the drivers seat. It has the flip up bolster seat and he just wedges it in between the cushions. That way, even if you dont see it, you'll feel it.

yeah, that sounds like something a Supra owner wood want to sit on

[majestic]

I have never removed my plug! But I have gone through some what if's about the ballast system I am about to install.

[da.bell]

I do have 4 plugs, 3 of them are on the boat and one is at home just in case I don't have one.

[skyski_tige]

My answer is different than most as I keep my boat on the lift.

First off, put the plug back in. Second, I would put the boat back on the lift and raise it enough to have the boat resting on the bunks. I would then hook up my 2 ballast pumps and run the bilge pump. Once I was sure the weight (boat + water) would not break my cables, I would raise the boat up and pull the plug to drain out the remaining water.

[mtnsmith]

Not done it on this boat yet, but I just got in and was able to put the plug in and let the pump do its job. I did put a second bilge pump in, an 800 gph, in the middle of the boat because at rest the convex v collects water in the middle of the boat instead of at the stern where the factory pump is.

[rushin]

I have been putting mine in a cup holder when leaving the lake and then install it when I am at home loading up with the cooler and such prior to leaving for the lake.

I wish the V's had a center plug like the 22i.

[Carter13]

Like others said. Jump in with spare plug and problem solved.