Clean out plug actually filled with water?

[tdonoughue]

So I was thinking about this. That hurt. So I poured a glass of wine.

You have the screw-type plugs, right? I have the push button kind. I wonder if they changed something in the design that holds a bunch of water internal to the plug. That would be important for people up north when winterizing...

 

[212s]

That's correct. No water on top of my clean out plug and when I removed it about 4 to 5 cups of water splashed all over my garage floor. I thought it was strange too.

That's normal...the newer plugs are open behind the plug and handle and water just goes into the plug and pressurizes it. This design may help with reduced cavitation as the water "fills" the plug area as soon as you start the engine. When I pull mine, I wiggle them around and upside-down a few times to get all of the water out. I carry a can of silicone spray in the truck and give them a squirt to keep the seals soft, and then put them back in. For winter storage I pulled them out, sprayed the plug and lock ring, and then set them on top of the cleanout plug lock ring so they sit on the lip of the lock ring to keep them dry and facing down like normal, but not in the lock ring so they don't stick. In the spring I'll spray the plug seals and lock rings again and put them in for the first boating trip.

 

[Ibeflyinhigh]

So I was thinking about this. That hurt. So I poured a glass of wine.

You have the screw-type plugs, right? I have the push button kind. I wonder if they changed something in the design that holds a bunch of water internal to the plug. That would be important for people up north when winterizing...

Very important to know if in freezing conditions. Glad I found out sooner than later.

 

[Ibeflyinhigh]

Ok so I need some clarification. I have a 2021 ar190 so it's got the newest style clean out plug. I just had it out for its second trip. I made sure the plug was locked in properly before launching. Halfway thru the day I popped the hatch to find water on top of my plug all the way full to the transom to the point it was spilling over. Is this normal? I feel like the plug should seal and little to no water should be up there. Its brand new and doing a visual inspection the plug and seals look just fine. And yes i locked it in properly. The boat ran great plenty of thrust.

 

[tdonoughue]

Normal.

You are not seeing water coming up from the plug. You are seeing water coming up the drain there in the wet storage area, and perhaps some washing up into wet storage from the aft side of the boat. Any water that gets in there lands first in the plug. When that fills, it goes down the drain.

Completely normal to end the day and find that hole filled with water. Pull the plug and it drops out the bottom of the boat.

 

[traderfjp]

I'm new to boating. There are two drain plugs that open by the outside of the engine My concern is that I will be docking my boat and won't have the luxury of draining this compartment everytime I use the boat Is there anything I can do?

 

[zipper]

I'm new to boating. There are two drain plugs that open by the outside of the engine My concern is that I will be docking my boat and won't have the luxury of draining this compartment everytime I use the boat Is there anything I can do?

Those drain plugs are to drain the water in the bilge under the engine compartment. The bilge pump, leave the switch on while on the water, will get most of that water down there. But it's placement off the bottom of the bilge will not get it all. There will always be some water bilge area if you are going to slip your boat. At rest, that water will settle in the deepest section of the hull, which is below the ski locker The only to get it all out is to haul the boat out on the trailer, pull the bilge drain plugs and jack up the bow as high as you can. I even put a piece of 6x6 under the jack to get the bow higher. Many people who wet slip will haul their boat out on occasion to clean growth off the bottom. That is when you could get all the water out.

There is another way to get most of it out. Take the boat out for a ride. Accelerate to a speed just before you get the boat on plane when the bow is at it's highest. The water in the bilge will rush aft and the bilge pump will pump more water that you did not know was there while the boat was at rest in the slip. Look over the side to confirm more water being pumped out while doing this.