I was that guy :(

[BCRider]

Last Saturday my wife and kids left for a weeks holiday. Got to my families summer house unpacked and headed for the water. Got the boat in the water, waited for my wife to park so I could pick her up at the dock and just idled away. Decided to get on the throttle a few minutes later and the boat barely moved. Came off the throttle and checked my speed set, all is good, checked my temp, all is good. Running through my head thinking of what it could be I looked out the back of the boat......Oh Sh##!!!!! I forgot the plug! Hit the bilge and started heading back to the dock boat launch which was about 150' away or so. I grabbed the plug and jumped in the water on the shore and got it in. Needless to say trying to tighten down the plug underwater while holding your breath and not being able to see because of how murky the water was is a bit of a chore. Got it tightened down and let the bilge do the rest. Took a while for the heart to stop racing. FML!

The reason I got caught on this is the last while when leaving the lake I haven't bothered pulling the plug. (Legally, here I don't have too and I don't usually take on any water). When I was prepping the boat in my driveway to go on our trip I decided to pull it so if there was any it would drain also thinking about the invasive species issue going from lake to lake....not that we have it in BC. I made sure to disconnect the rear straps but didn't even look at the plug.

I got lucky. It happened once and it will never happen again. Just like the time I forgot to reinstall the impeller after winter prepping the boat....that never happens anymore.

[Spicer]

I feel you on that. The first time out on mine, I was excited and ready to go and next thing i know I have an alarm going off, belt squeeking and the plug sitting in a cup holder. One thing I did find out from that mishap was my bilge pump wasn't working at all. I managed to jump in the water and put the plug w

[chpthril]

Its a scary way to find your your auto bilge is not working.

[Dandy]

If it helps, the last time I put the boat in the water, I forgot to remove the transom straps. I kept thinking to myself "why is the boat not floating off the trailer and I was sure the ramp is deeper than this" The boat kept that trailer floating nicely, at least it was still connected to the truck. Thanks for sharing your error, it makes us all feel better about ours.

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[BlackoutATX]

I have almost forgot the plug several times. I've gotten to where I will put it in the slot under the tige touch with the keys behind it. This way I see the plug before I can even put the keys in. It's worked pretty good for me so far. I also bought a spare plug and put it in my dry box. Just in case.

[malmz]

It happens...

Clean and repack your steering tube and relube the rudder shaft or you will have more headaches next season. With the water coming up that high the grease is undoubtedly mixed with H2O.

[retox1]

Did it once on my old boat, i realized the issue when the bilge pump kicked on as I was pulling away from the ramp. Luckily my friend was still close enough to the ramp he just backed the trailer in and I drove it back on. That's probably 8 or 9 years ago and I haven't forgot the plug since.

I think most boaters have done this at least once, even if they won't admit it.

[bsreid]

Crap happens.

I forgot to connect the quick connect on the bottom of my bag into the hard tank but the bag managed to fill a bit, so most of the water drained into the bilge

[Dandy]

I think most boaters have done this at least once, even if they won't admit it.

I can honestly say I have yet to do this. That said, this is one of those things that I believe that it HAS either happened to you or it WILL. I am currently in the it WILL category. Just as I forgot to take off the transom straps - I think this is my 5-6th time doing that - I will have a day where I remember the straps and forget the plug.

I have also arrived at the ramp without keys for the boat. That will get your blood boiling. I was so frustrated, we just called it at that point and went home.

[malmz]

I have one small nylon boat bag, the family and friends affectionately call it my Murse (Man Purse) I have one of these bright orange transom plug wrenches in it (link below), the plug screws right into the back of it when not in use, my boat key is in there, as well as reg, insurance, and BLM pass. Wallet and cell get dropped in there too. It is hard to miss the huge orange wrench sticking out the top when you are grabbing the key out.

Transom Plug Wrench

[Z3 LKG]

Mine wasn't a plug, but rather a water hose wasn't reconnected by my former mechanic during winterization. 4 years ago, first time out for the year. We are on plane with no issues then decide to putt putt for a bit. Decide it's time to head for home, hit the throttle and not much happens, look behind me to see water! Lift the engine cover to discover the loose hose. Auto ballast was NOT functioning. Wasn't too far from shore, so hopped in the water and pulled it to shore. A kind boater towed us back to our dock where we commenced bailing.

The next time out the starter seized. Worked when wet, but rusted once dried out.

[Tigenator]

Did it once on my old boat, i realized the issue when the bilge pump kicked on as I was pulling away from the ramp. Luckily my friend was still close enough to the ramp he just backed the trailer in and I drove it back on. That's probably 8 or 9 years ago and I haven't forgot the plug since.

I think most boaters have done this at least once, even if they won't admit it.

I've done it many years ago, never did it again lol.

[JohnnieMo]

The first time I ever loaded my Tige, I had my buddy put the trailer in too deep. Floated right over it and hit the truck. Hit reverse and destroyed the propeller and the trailer bunk. High centered the boat on the tracking fins.

We all make our mistakes, and 90% of them come within 10 feet of the launch :P

[JTs-rz2]

Forgot my plug once while still on trailer. Quickly jumped the the water and did the plug.... but forgot my cell phone was in my pocket... doh[emoji21]

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[talltigeguy]

At the Lake Mead reunion a few years back, I forgot the plug. I got excited when I saw my old boat rolling down the ramp, and got out of my rhythm. I put the boat in, then tied it to the dock and went to talk to my old boat's new owner (Bad 05). I get back to my boat 20 minutes later and Bad notices that I must be excited because it looks like I already got the ballast full. I immediately realized what was happening and opened the center hatch to put in the plug and find water about an inch from the floor!

The 2006 X45 had 2 bilge pumps, and both decided not to work, or it would have been easy to detect a problem even before I walked away from the boat. I have not forgotten the plug since. I also check to see if my bilge pumps are working a bit more regularly than I used to. To drain my boat, we had to put it on the trailer and then I removed both the rear and center drain plug. It still took 25 minutes for the water to leak out.

If you have ever had the privilege of watching water pour in through a drain plug, it is amazing how much faster it goes in than out!