Brass Drain plug install

[Billy Marlin]

Purchased marine adhesive 4000 instead of the 5200 since 4000 can be removed if needed. Just in case these ever strip or fail.
http://www.amazon.com/3M-05280-Marine-Adhesive-Sealant/dp/B0000AY0ND?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

Used my dremel tool and a circular sanding bit to clean drain holes after removing the plastic plugs just held in by silicone. My starboard drain plug practically fell out after removing the screws so that might have been the cause for my leak. Used a razor blade and WD-40 to remove the silicone and cleaned the holes up.

Drilled my 3 holes after dry fitting my plug wish I wrote down what size bit and screws I used. I think they are #7 stainless steel but I bought packs of #7, #8, #9.

Coat of adhesive around hole and in all drilled holes.


Coated my new plug with lots of sealant



Made sure I had adhesive come out everywhere


Added the 3 screws and tightened them down each a little at a time for even pressure


Finished install just used a paper towel to clean off all excess adhesive and made sure to clean out the screw bit heads as they had some adhesive in them.


Somehow I don't have a final image with the plugs will snap one tonight but they look dang good!

 

[Billy Marlin]

@Danielmailin it was your post that helped me get mine done.

 

[highanddryinco]

That looks a heck of a lot better than factory!
I'll be curious to see if that helped with the bilge water.
I was getting water in the changing area floor each night like yours, even when it didn't rain.

 

[Billy Marlin]

Check out my last post on the drain plug and where does the water go it will explain why this wont help.

 

[Davidrbjr]

awesome I need to do that looks much better!

 

[highanddryinco]

awesome I need to do that looks much better!

I probably will too.
My salt water use is minimal so brass should be fine.

 

[Julian]

Nice job and write up @Billy Marlin ! Where did you buy the new plug?

 

[DonWon]

@Billy Marlin Where did you get those plugs from? Brand and model? I need to do mine.

 

[highanddryinco]

If interested, here's the one's I've got coming now. On sale. Not a big deal but I ended up choosing bronze as I'm getting close to retirement and may be spending more time in the warm salt.

http://www.wholesalemarine.com/sea-dog-bronze-garboard-drain-with-1-2-plug.html

 

[Billy Marlin]

Got mine off amazon and finally got to test them this weekend. They are the same ones as posted above. The boat hull is dry as a bone and I could not be happier. Between my new auto bilge and plugs feeling a lot better about leaving my boat in the water.

 

[3thrty]

When you drill the holes and place screws can you access to put a nut on the other side? What type of screw did you use?

 

[highanddryinco]

I just used (#8 if memory serves) oval head stainless sheet metal screws. It would be a pain in the butt to put nuts a on a machine screw in that location. Plus stainless nuts and bolts tend to gall and become impossible to take apart after time.
Use good quality marine adhesive sealant on everything and you won't have any problems. The adhesive sealant will be doing all the work once it dries. Something for above/below waterline rather than just cheap silicone. (Life Seal, 3M 4000, 3M 4200 would all be good)

 

[3thrty]

Thank you. Picked them up at west marine today and they are going in this week along with underwater lights.

 

[Billy Marlin]

That sounds about right got mine at Lowes and you definitely want to use the good Marine Adhesive. Yamaha installed these with crap silicone which one practically fell out after removing the screws since it was not glued in.

 

[jet_fun]

Hi
Im definetely doing this project! How tight do you tighten the drain plug? Just hand tight or do you put a 1/4 turn with a wrench?

 

[JDinfla]

We use a wrench and a little anti seize compound on the threads for salt water.

 

[Billy Marlin]

I keep a small crescent wrench in my truck door and a spare cheapo in a sealed box on the boat. Hand tight then just snug it a little with the wrench best mod I did besides the 2nd auto bilge with float.

 

[scokill]

I replaced my brass one and got one similar to this. Never have to worry about losing the plug.

https://www.amazon.com/Amarine-made-Garboard-Drain-Stainless-Thread/dp/B015ZBLHMS/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1502568484&sr=8-9&keywords=boat+drain+plug

 

[Tailwaters]

I went down to pick up a couple brass drains and found the same ones that the factory installed but in stainless. The plug is better quality as well.

 

[Bedlamfirm]

So my winter mod list has started up.