Close Call Over The Weekend, How do you remind yourself?

[NewBoater]

Buy a set of Cobra clean out plug locks and take the locks off and put them by the cup holder/key switch so you can't start the boat without seeing the locks and installing them and the plugs. Just a thought

 

[Jmuir]

Im a newbie this year with a 2001 ls2000, Only been out a handful of times. So much talk about the clean out plugs- Am I supposed to be removing them when i pull out of the water? If so why? Aren't they just to clean out gunk if things get stuck in them? I usually just pull it out of the water pull the drain plug, and start each motor for about 10 seconds as the manual says and that's it?

What else am I missing?

 

[fireflymedic]

Im a newbie this year with a 2001 ls2000, Only been out a handful of times. So much talk about the clean out plugs- Am I supposed to be removing them when i pull out of the water? If so why? Aren't they just to clean out gunk if things get stuck in them? I usually just pull it out of the water pull the drain plug, and start each motor for about 10 seconds as the manual says and that's it?

What else am I missing?

@Jmuir the rubber gasket on the plug seems to swell up if it stays wet 24, 7. That and maybe sand or silk gets wedged in all the crevices. But it does seem if you only take them out when you need them they may not come out .

 

[txav8r]

@Jmuir , the cleanout plugs are there if you need them. If you leave them in, the swell and get corroded and won't come out. So it is the practice of those knowledgable about them, to remove them when not boating, and just let them lay across the cleanout tube. That way, they don't corrode or swell. Once they start to swell, they only get worse. Some of this is a normal progression but we can rebuild the plugs today where when your boat was built, we couldn't. Welcome to the forum!

 

[props2you]

@Jmuir what @txav8r said... It also helps keep that compartment dry and prevent any mold/mildew building up in that compartment, otherwise water just sits in your clean-out plug hole. I just like to keep my boat dry as possible.

 

[Glassman]

Can't say that I've ever forgotten to put the clean-out plugs in, but I have forgotten to replace the drain plug...once. And maybe remembered at the last minute to check it one time, but that don't count.

Probably the biggest thing I forgot once was the BOAT!

Yep...backed up to the trailer, got distracted. Loaded a bunch of stuff in the boat and for some reason I thought I had hooked up and began to drive away. Got about 5 feet away and since nobody noticed I simply said, "Oh, wait...I forgot something" and backed up.

I was a little red faced when I got back in, but I think my wife was yapping on the phone and too busy to notice.

 

[jdonalds]

I have a very poor memory so I depend on lists. I have lists for the target range, boating where we will be using a beach too, boating with no beach, vacation lists, etc.

If I don't use the list for boating I have about a 50/50 chance of forgetting something.

Of course one of the times on my list is to install the clean-out plugs.

My list
Yamaha

Packing List - stow on boat

· Life jackets

· Sunscreen

· Hats, Swim suits, sandals

· Towels

· sweatshirt

· Cash, Wallet

· Camera

· Insurance papers

· Trailer & boat license

· Ice chest

· Trailer keys, Boat keys

· Cell phone

· VHF Radio

· Snacks

· GPS, RAM mount

· Anker jump battery

Prep before trip

· Remove storage cover

· Load stuff on the boat

· Check Boat Buckles

· Install transom drain plug

· Install clean out plugs

· Battery switch to ON position

· Run engine blowers 5 minutes

· Run engines for 10 seconds

· Leave keys in the boat

· Close windshield and lower door

· Fill boat gas tank if needed

· Fill car gas tank if needed

Launch Prep

· Attach fenders (optional)

· Attach dock lines (optional)

· Raise Bimini frame (optional) – keep covered

· Run blower

· Run engines for 10 seconds

· Detach Boat Buckles

· Remove throwable from storage

After Retrieving

· Remove drain plug

· Start engines to flush exhaust

· Stow dock lines

· Stow fenders

· Replace drain plug

· Remove clean out plugs

· Close windshield and lower door

· Install Boat Buckles



Clean up & Storage

· Clean the boat

· Flush engines

· Wash and dry boat and trailer

· Spray CRC 6-56 on engines, pump

· Remove VHF Radio

· Battery switch OFF

· Cover the boat

 

[props2you]

WOW!!! That's very specific,

I have a very poor memory so I depend on lists. I have lists for the target range, boating where we will be using a beach too, boating with no beach, vacation lists, etc.

If I don't use the list for boating I have about a 50/50 chance of forgetting something.

Of course one of the times on my list is to install the clean-out plugs.

My list
Yamaha

Packing List - stow on boat

· Life jackets

· Sunscreen

· Hats, Swim suits, sandals

· Towels

· sweatshirt

· Cash, Wallet

· Camera

· Insurance papers

· Trailer & boat license

· Ice chest

· Trailer keys, Boat keys

· Cell phone

· VHF Radio

· Snacks

· GPS, RAM mount

· Anker jump battery

Prep before trip

· Remove storage cover

· Load stuff on the boat

· Check Boat Buckles

· Install transom drain plug

· Install clean out plugs

· Battery switch to ON position

· Run engine blowers 5 minutes

· Run engines for 10 seconds

· Leave keys in the boat

· Close windshield and lower door

· Fill boat gas tank if needed

· Fill car gas tank if needed

Launch Prep

· Attach fenders (optional)

· Attach dock lines (optional)

· Raise Bimini frame (optional) – keep covered

· Run blower

· Run engines for 10 seconds

· Detach Boat Buckles

· Remove throwable from storage

After Retrieving

· Remove drain plug

· Start engines to flush exhaust

· Stow dock lines

· Stow fenders

· Replace drain plug

· Remove clean out plugs

· Close windshield and lower door

· Install Boat Buckles



Clean up & Storage

· Clean the boat

· Flush engines

· Wash and dry boat and trailer

· Spray CRC 6-56 on engines, pump

· Remove VHF Radio

· Battery switch OFF

· Cover the boat