Glad I found out before I was on the lake...

[hoopykat]

Since the weather has been so nice, I decided to uncover the boat, put on the new bimini boot I just purchased, and check the battery and engine. I had the boat winterized, so I figured I'd put it on the Fake-A-Lake and see if it would start. Surprisingly enough, it cranked right over, without even topping off the charge. Of course there was tons of smoke as the fogging oil burned off, but it was running nice and smoothly. However, a little voice told me to open the engine cover and take a look, since there was water draining from the bilge plug hole. When I had the boat winterized, I had a new impeller installed. But, seems they neglected to replace the left exhaust manifold drain plug. There was a lovely jet of water shooting into the bilge. I looked to see if maybe it was just blown off and was in the bilge, but nope....not there.

Just glad I discovered this in front of my house instead of out in the middle of the lake.

Mike

[evil0ne]

Good catch. Another reason to have the fake a lake.

[dogbert]

Yeah, I usually have a couple of extra plugs because sometimes they also break during winterization or the seals just get worn out. They're only a few dollars.

That's also why I winterize my own boat and always check everything after it's been in the shop.

[jleger98]

I had a frost plug come out over the winter on my Supra. I didn't see it, and only notices when the carpet started getting wet!!! Needless to say there were a few tense moments with my wife thinking we were going to sink and my bilge pump gota good workout. Now I ALWAYS look under the engine cover, and leave the bilge pump on auto.

In your case, I would not go back to whomever "they" are, or at least call em and make em give you a free something. just my .02

[ddutcher]

I had the same thing happen on my '97 2150 but didn't notice it until the carpet was wet, we putted back to the ramp with the bilge running. It was missing after a service at a shop in Dublin, they also lost my drain plug and wouldn't replace it so I had to buy another one. I won't go back to them.

[hoopykat]

So to add on to the story...

I went to the shop that did my winterization, and they were profusely apologetic. The mechanic who serviced the boat was tracked down, and indeed he did find an 'extra' plug on his bench, so he tossed it into his toolbox. Good thing too, since the shop was out of stock on the plugs. Got a new, free gasket and more apologies. Heh. I was surprised the guy wasn't aware that he had an extra plug, I mean...hey...extra part...where did this come from....hmmm....just weird...

Mike