- Messages
- 13,329
- Reaction score
- 13,425
- Points
- 857
- Location
- Royal, AR
- Boat Make
- Yamaha
- Year
- 2007
- Boat Model
- SX
- Boat Length
- 23
Last week I discovered a slight leak from the factory drain plug. I probably could have fixed it by simply replacing the $6 bronze screw in plug but I decided that I wanted the convenience of a retained plug like the newer models have. The biggest advantages are avoiding the need to keep up with the plug and no longer needing a wrench to install and remove the plug.
I spent $20 on a retained stainless steel drain plug from Sea Dog. http://www.sea-dog.com/groups/2053-captive-garboard-drain-plug
I assumed that the Sea Dog plug would fit in the factory hole. Unfortunately the factory plug had a 1" hole and the new plug needed a 1 1/8th hole.
This is a picture of the old and new hardware.
I started off by removing the three screws that held the factory drain plug in place. The housing did not want to come out as it was stuck with caulk so used a pair of lock jaw pliers to remove it.
Then I cleaned off the old caulk carefully with a paint scraper and my thumbnails.
I thought I was ready to install so I shot the screw holes full of life caulk, caulked up the new drain plug and tried to install.
Unfortunately it did not fit. So I took a scrap piece of wood flooring and used the old drain plug as a template to drill screw holes in it. I mounted it where the original drain plug had been and used a 1 1/8" spade bit to drill through the wood for a guide and then through the hull. If I were planning in advance I would have a 1 1/8th hole saw on hand and would use a socket as a guide to avoid needing the wood.
The screw holes also were in different positions.
I caulked up the original screw holes, recaulked the new drain plug and installed it in the enlarged hole.
Once it was seated against the hull I drilled new screw holes filling each with caulk before inserting the screw. Once I had the third screw in I retightened the other two.
I used #8 x 3/4 stainless oval head screws. The factory screws were stainless and could have been reused but I had new ones on hand.
After the caulk dries for 48 hours I will add water to the bilge to check for leaks.
This is the final product
If others do this hopefully you will be able to find a plug that will fit in a 1" hole. If you do please share the part number.
I spent $20 on a retained stainless steel drain plug from Sea Dog. http://www.sea-dog.com/groups/2053-captive-garboard-drain-plug
I assumed that the Sea Dog plug would fit in the factory hole. Unfortunately the factory plug had a 1" hole and the new plug needed a 1 1/8th hole.
This is a picture of the old and new hardware.
I started off by removing the three screws that held the factory drain plug in place. The housing did not want to come out as it was stuck with caulk so used a pair of lock jaw pliers to remove it.
Then I cleaned off the old caulk carefully with a paint scraper and my thumbnails.
I thought I was ready to install so I shot the screw holes full of life caulk, caulked up the new drain plug and tried to install.
Unfortunately it did not fit. So I took a scrap piece of wood flooring and used the old drain plug as a template to drill screw holes in it. I mounted it where the original drain plug had been and used a 1 1/8" spade bit to drill through the wood for a guide and then through the hull. If I were planning in advance I would have a 1 1/8th hole saw on hand and would use a socket as a guide to avoid needing the wood.
The screw holes also were in different positions.
I caulked up the original screw holes, recaulked the new drain plug and installed it in the enlarged hole.
Once it was seated against the hull I drilled new screw holes filling each with caulk before inserting the screw. Once I had the third screw in I retightened the other two.
I used #8 x 3/4 stainless oval head screws. The factory screws were stainless and could have been reused but I had new ones on hand.
After the caulk dries for 48 hours I will add water to the bilge to check for leaks.
This is the final product
If others do this hopefully you will be able to find a plug that will fit in a 1" hole. If you do please share the part number.
