Thanks Wayne! I always wondered the same thing if it should be inside or outside the boat! I did it inside because that's what the guy did before i bought it.... But with my set up on my boat it would be way easier for me to do it on the outside.
Oh believe me i do! But like the rest of these guys on here i also keep a spare plug in my cup holder in my boat near the back just in case. And i got a beluga pump that works great! worst case scenario!@@WayneTheBoatGuy
I've never tightened my small boat drain plug. I didn't know it could be tightened. It's been installed for 50 years. Lately it started to leak. Thanks, you saved me $10.
I'm glad you got that straightened out. Some boats, if they get swamped by a rouge wave, they can crank the boat up, get it going, remove the drain plug and the water will be drawn out. Impossible if the plug is on the outside of the boat.
Years ago I had a boat that used one of those drain plugs (many great memories) we did use that plug on the inside of the boat and that way we could drain the boat as it ran. We were always snorkeling and water manages to get in.. Great video
The Classic Boston Whalers ALWAYS had the drain plugs on the inside of the boat. If water got into the boat, the drain plug could be pulled and if the boat was run at even a fast idle speed the water would drain out of the boat. I always put the drain plug on the inside of john boats for the same reason. If a boat does not have a bilge pump I think the drain plug should always be on the inside.
I've always put my drain plugs on the inside if at all possible. If the boat starts taking on a little water you crank it up, run it, take the plug out and drain the water out.
The plug also allows you to drain water out of the boat while under way so inside is easier to access although I've used it as a drain when it was outside too.
I always put mine on the inside of my boat just because I fear something will catch it and rip it out. Just been a habit I have always had. But now I know better lol. Good video and hypothesis testing lol.
Good video. Sometimes its the simplest things that get overlooked or misunderstood.I have used the T handle type and snap type. Never had any issues using either style or orientation. Great explanations with out any criticism or condemnation for those of us who are forever learning. Thanks for taking the time to explain
I've learned a lot from you Wayne, thank you. I've had my 22ft fishing boat for a little more than a year, and was pretty clueless when I got it. I'm less clueless now thanks to making dumb mistakes and watching your videos. I'm over here in Phuket, Thailand (originally from Washington State), having fun boating and spearfishing. Thank God for youtube :)
Been watching since day one, just want to say that the production value is getting so good! Split screens, cuts, camera follows. All good stuff. And content is good as well. Good job sir! Thank you for the great videos.
I use to have mine on the outside, until kids (?), came swimming by one night and took out my drain plug. Now it stays on the inside. My boat wasn’t the only one vandalized that night.
Lived on the water all my life. On a small Runabout aluminum boats, we always put them on the inside. That way if you had water in it when you got on plane you just popped the plug out and it would let the water drain out, no bailing.
Thing to consider is temperture, put in, its cold and it shrinks, not to mention on the inside I have access to remove and let water out when under way.
The nice thing with it inside, if you have other leaks i.e. poorly sealed screw holes, loose rivets, etc, you can more easily pull the plug and drive the boat to get rid of the water.
For me the plug placement depends on what boat I’m using. I have one boat that has a battery, bilge pump & live well pump in a small area making it necessary to use the plug outside of the transom. For most others I’ll use it inside & it makes for easy water drainage once underway . Pro tip , always carry a spare drain plug for yourself or a fellow boater. Be mindful of over tightening a expansion plug in a plastic through hull fitting. In time it will cause the fitting to split & leak. I always release the pressure on the plug when I’m off the water.
My plug is out as soon as it comes out of the water and left out until I'm ready to launch again. That's what the dept of natural resources wants us to do for the invasive species problem anyway. I usually put the plug inside, so it can drain under way, never a problem.
Hey Wayne! Love your videos. Love the way you present them. Although I have owned a boat for over 30 years, I still learn things all the time about boating. I'm currently building a boat motor stand from watching your video on that! Anyway, I just seen your quick video on the Atwood plug / book light you got! I recently sold and old boat and included two plugs. (One at the transom and one that was for the built in live well. So I ordered 2 Atwood Snap ring plugs to replace them and only recieved 1. I got a package of 3 rubber watch bands that go to an Apple smart watch (my daughter told me)! She wanted them so I'll just get another plug later. Similar story, although I didn't check the bar code. Keep up the good work! Garry from Michigan
great segment Wayne. I had never thought about which side it goes into, i always put it in the inside. last time i used one was on my old jon boat over 20 years ago. thanks for the refresher and great tip about the fishing line.
always on the outside because of convenience if you have taller boat or on mine in back i have aluminum built up so no water can ever get in and i have a deep v. so i would have to open the compartment and reach inside a hole and put it in from inside and that is a pain. i just use the t ones because i have heard of people putting these in wrong and them coming out and them taking in a lot of water fast and i commercial fish so my boat gets max loaded i would hate to take on water but i realized also deep vs with splash guards take a lot of water to sink. when i took out old live wells i didnt silicone them at first one hose fell to bottom when i was getting fish one day leaked in boat for 3 hours and i had like 500 lbs of catfish and the water in tank to keep them alive.. drove back to ramp could barely go 9 mph and boat was basically flooded with water lol. i love deep v for that reason. and no one should listen to people saying take your drain plug out underway.. get a damn pump and do it manually or have a bilge pump... most boats you cant let go of steering on full throttle go in back and take out plug.... wtf
Wow, I hate to say it, but I've been doing it wrong for a along while Thanks WtBG, I'm a inside plug captain, the reason for this is the boat will self bale itself. While you are running at a decent speed, pull the plug out and the water will drain out. But put it back in before you get back at the dock.
I suppose the safety line is fine to keep from losing your plug in the water but I think it's also a good idea to have multiple drain plugs in the boat. An extra or two could help save the day. In my opinion, an extra drain plug should be considered just as much required equipment as a fire ext and a horn.
Your vid is very helpful to newbie boaters, always carry a spare easy to get to, I prefer inside so I can get to it easier, some you can't & have to be outside, we all have to learn, but some people shouldn't own boats if they don't know understand simple basics, you seem to touch on these points !
So speaking from experience, had a old aluminum boat that had a screw in plug that you put in from outside. However, with the vibration of the motor, it would loosen up and start leaking. 1 day it came completely out. Switched to using this same style and put it inside and never had an issue.
I recommend always putting the plug in from the inside unless the hull is designed in such a way that prevents access to the plug from the inside. If you plug it from the inside you will notice problems earlier, and the safety line tied to the plug is a great idea.
Noted. My boat had the plug attached with a bent bungee cord to one of the transom eyes so it wouldn't get lost... but also means it can't be cranked down much (and I didn't know that was a thing!!!). Due to being an IO, the plug can only be installed from the outside. I haven't had it on the water yet (was a "free" project boat that will hopefully see water again in the next few weeks); the old plug was rotten so I replaced it. Learn something every day!
Almost every boater has forgotten to install the drain plug before launching. Here's a cool tip: put a snap ring on your boat's ignition key ring and keep the drain plug snapped to the key ring when the boat is out of the water. You will never again put the keys in the ignition without the plug in the drain hole. Also: keep a spare drain plug on your boat so you have a backup if you ever drop the other plug in the water and lose it.
My little boat came with it installed on the inside and a line attached. So I went with it. I also placed a second plug, zip tied to the transome. I am .... that kind of guy.
The main thing ,IMO, is to remember to put it in before you launch. (no matter which way you install it) Except for maybe having to desperately having to stick your arm in the water trying to put it in when the boat is filling w/ water cuz you forgot. It's usually easier to install it from the outside cuz you have more room.
I put it inside so I can reach it from inside. If you get water in the boat for whatever reason, you can pull the plug while motoring and the water will drain. Just remember to put the plug back before you stop or slow down.
I've used mine inside of a boat forever! Use a a piece of old rope, run it through Big Eye, and tie of fas near the hole as possible. If fishing at night or it gets buried in wet leaves just give the rope a pull and it will be instantly found!
Was taught that the plug goes inside so you can drain the boat while on the lake get the boat going and pull the plug but put it back before slowing down because the water will flood the boat quick if you don't
Outside is for people who trailer their boats. Inside is for boats that are in the water all the time and collect rain or leak so you can bail it out easily by pulling the plug in motion. Wooden boats always leak and so do aluminum ones when you live on a rocky river and bang them off things.
They can go either way. I have needed to remove them several times over the years. Always been easier on the inside. Have had to go overboard to pull it out twice though and it saved me. One time got swamped by a wave another from a broke through hull fitting. On the first one it helped get the water out faster than just my bilge, on second it offset the broke fitting issue, enough for my pump to get me to shore, where I could fix it.
If I can put the plug on the inside, I use a flip style on the inside. If I can only insert it from the outside I use the little T-handle one, that way a stick or something can’t grab it and pull it out, thereby sinking me.
Lost a flip plug that was tightened flipped with the ring up. Must’ve come while beaching. Didn’t notice it was gone until I hauled the boat out and saw the water exiting the transom! I looked in the engine compartment to find water 1/3 of the way up the engine. no wonder it was harder to winch onto the trailer than usual!😂
Used that type of plug inside and outside and had an extra or two around. The main thing the one very main thing is don't forget to put the plug in. That's it easy peasy.
Install it from the inside and tether it to something inside so it will never become misplaced or accidentally removed. AND, if it rains while you're on the water, you can most easily pull the plug while on plane and drain the rain.
Inside so when the boat fills with rain water. You can get up to speed and pull the drain to get the water out then reinstall the plug. Old trick from my fishing days.
When i'm out camping I leave the boat in the water for a week or 2. if it rains I just get in the boat and head down the lake WOT and flip and pull the plug from the inside and the water in the boat gets vacuumed out the drain hole into the lake. When empty I put the plug back in and flip it up and slow down. To me the plug always goes inside for this practical purpose.
I place it on the inside. Matter of fact of the boat is moving it creates outward suction . Requires two people but the plug can be removed to flush out the boat underway. A semi- swamped boat can be drained this way. Done it a few times.
I have a 72 fiberglass trihull. That plug is probably the only part of my boat that doesn't leak. My boat came with one, but I bought a brand new one and keep the old one as a spare onboard. Before I bought a bilge pump last summer I'd take on so much water that the back end would almost dip into the lake on a tight turn. If you have a leaky boat you should really get a bilge pump and deep cycle battery. You'll save the money in gas eventually by not hauling around hundreds of pounds of water and you might even save yourself from sinking. Also patch the holes that you can see with some marine epoxy. Old boats are sweet!
Ok, so that was weird…I literally was just having a drain plug discussion last night with a friend who picked up an extra at Walmart….the t-handle vs the flip or snap handle…Thanks for the info 👋🏻
I know tools, all kinds of tools, drain plugs are no exception. This type of plug reminds me of a oil drain plug for car/truck. I would never use that type with the "O" handle to plug outside of the boat on the lower part of the transom. Too easy for the handle to get caught on something and pull it out. I always use the type with the "T" handle on it then with an attached chain to some part of the upper transom. With an attached chain makes it easier to not forget to put it in. I always carry an extra.
I use mine on the inside of the boat and also have a spare with me. I have always put it on the inside because I have that fear of it getting snagged and popping out i also make sure it’s tight. I also have a 1500gph bilge pump in the back for emergency purposes
I’ve used both types inside and out side the hull , with my current boat I don’t have the option of running them (2). Outside, and because of that I run the T handle type now , and always have a couple extras on board .
if you have a leaky boat, plug from the inside so you can pull it out and run the water out at speed. I used to do this in a flooded 14ft tinner in the early years. Pulling it on the ramp in a pain if inside however...
I'm an inside kind of guy. I remember my dad forgetting to put the darn thing in, every now and again. I still have that 1963 StarCraft. I think the plug that I have is only 25 years old. only if I can remember where I put the new spear plug. I bought 12 years ago, or so. the rubber is beginning to crack on that old one.
I've always installed it on the inside. There are enough threads sticking out on the outside for a fender washer and a nut. It's overkill but thats ok.
I'm glad you explained the tightening of the plug so people don't make a mistake. I have it on the inside of my tracker so it never snags and I never have to remember it. I never would've put it inside without this feature.
I have used on inside for 50 years and never seen a drop of water. I always keep it tight and have a spare on hand. Aside from that I can swim very well.
I use a ring from my car key ring. Then I use a bathroom bead chain from the bath tub plug and secure it around the center bar at the back on my small fourteen foot open boat. On my fifteen foot R15 legend boat the plug has to be inserted from the outside before launching the boat. I have a piece of 500 lb paracord to hold it to the rear handles just in case. Always carry a couple of wine corks just in case something ever goes wrong .
My aluminum runabout has a storage area in back so getting to the inside of the plug is prohibitive. I have a 1/4" line tied to handle and stern bracket. Pretwist line so untwists as plug is tightened. Then close handle.
I have a new one to replace the one inside our engine room to the back bulkhead in our 1986 Chris Craft 381. There is no exterior drains on the boat, just 4 bilge pumps (fwd, engine room, backup/high water, and a rear pump).
I use mine on the inside of the boat, but I add a foam keychain to the handle in case it falls in the water so it'll float. or i tether it to the boat using some neon orange paracord.
On my 16 foot bass boat it is on the outside because it is hard to get to underneath a small deck in the back of the boat. On my 14/36 john boat I put it inside where I can drain any water out of the boat that happens to be there when the boat is underway and planed out!
There are a lot of boats that there is no way to access the drain from inside. The world isn't limited to 14' open aluminum boats. Use the screw-type from the outside.
I used this plug, on outside of boat. I never noticed the hole for the line I'll have to take a closer look. I had tied a string thru the big loop but was afraid of water or something else catching the string and pulling the handle open so I took it off. Knowing I could possibly lose the plug I then decided keep an extra plug on the boat that I could grab in a pinch and jump in the water and put in.
My current boat, it has to go inside, you cant put one on the outside. An I have had one fail an shot in to the boat. Pretty sure it was age related. Put the plug in, tightened it an flipped it. Backed down the ramp, checked the plug an it was gone. Pulled back up the ramp, replaced the plug a tightened it more, same result. Drove to Walmart an got a new one, new one worked. I assume the age of the rubber made it not grip.
I don't put it outside because if it gets dislodged for any reason it'll be history and you'll loose it and you better be close to the dock or have a spare. Water pressure between inside and outside is completely dependent on how deep your boat draft is, physics 101. And I'm sure anyone watching this channel has a trailer boat, less than a foot of draft so pressure is extremely small.
Inside the boat! If water gets in the boat from any number of things, it can be pulled, the motor can go full out and the water will leave through the drain hole. Put it back in and you're good to go.
My boat doesn’t have easy access to the drain hole from the inside because of engine bay so I run plug on outside with handle flipped up so it doesn’t snag anything. I carry an extra inside the boat for emergency. If I were to lose the plug I could use the extra to re-plug from the outside or get into the engine compartment and plug from inside in an emergency. Never have had the plug fail….
Always inside , if it's outside it may fall to the bottom if removed under way to remove water from the boat. You can't run the boat and remove it if it's outside
Man doh mannnnnnn………. I think I was twelve years old when I first figured this one out but one thing caught me off guard once was when I took three cousins fishing and they wanted to be a little too much help in preparing to launch the boat. I didn’t double check to see if he put the plug in correctly and after launching the boat and parking the car and going back to the dock to board the boat, they were already inside the boat and sinking fast. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
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Thanks Wayne! I always wondered the same thing if it should be inside or outside the boat! I did it inside because that's what the guy did before i bought it.... But with my set up on my boat it would be way easier for me to do it on the outside.
Just make sure you have it tight!
Oh believe me i do! But like the rest of these guys on here i also keep a spare plug in my cup holder in my boat near the back just in case. And i got a beluga pump that works great! worst case scenario!@@WayneTheBoatGuy
When I bought my boat brand new it was installed in the outside, so that is where I have left it
I've never tightened my small boat drain plug. I didn't know it could be tightened. It's been installed for 50 years. Lately it started to leak. Thanks, you saved me $10.
Lol after 50 years i would replace it anyways. I would be really mad if my boat sinks because i wanted to save 10 bucks.
@@Jaml321 50 year old detritus is better than you can buy new today.
I'm glad you got that straightened out. Some boats, if they get swamped by a rouge wave, they can crank the boat up, get it going, remove the drain plug and the water will be drawn out. Impossible if the plug is on the outside of the boat.
Good point - especially if they don't have bilge pump!
I've personally done this.
Yes had a boat that had a few bad rivet would get it goin pull the plug when needed
I can't get to my plug from the inside
Iv always carried a extra one in my boat. Never had to use it but it there.
Years ago I had a boat that used one of those drain plugs (many great memories) we did use that plug on the inside of the boat and that way we could drain the boat as it ran. We were always snorkeling and water manages to get in.. Great video
The Classic Boston Whalers ALWAYS had the drain plugs on the inside of the boat. If water got into the boat, the drain plug could be pulled and if the boat was run at even a fast idle speed the water would drain out of the boat. I always put the drain plug on the inside of john boats for the same reason. If a boat does not have a bilge pump I think the drain plug should always be on the inside.
EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've always put my drain plugs on the inside if at all possible. If the boat starts taking on a little water you crank it up, run it, take the plug out and drain the water out.
The plug also allows you to drain water out of the boat while under way so inside is easier to access although I've used it as a drain when it was outside too.
bro get a pump for that lol.
I did! That was years ago on my 16’ MFG.
I always put mine on the inside of my boat just because I fear something will catch it and rip it out. Just been a habit I have always had. But now I know better lol. Good video and hypothesis testing lol.
I'm just waiting for someone to share their horror story about it getting ripped out!
You know better than what?
@@leelafarlett3535 that it doesn’t matter if it’s inside or outside.
Good video. Sometimes its the simplest things that get overlooked or misunderstood.I have used the T handle type and snap type. Never had any issues using either style or orientation. Great explanations with out any criticism or condemnation for those of us who are forever learning. Thanks for taking the time to explain
You're welcome - and I am also forever learning too!
Wow! Thanks for the info! Since my drain plug is not new, I never would've guessed to twist it first. Thanks Wayne. Luv the videos.
Thanks for the kind words!
I've learned a lot from you Wayne, thank you. I've had my 22ft fishing boat for a little more than a year, and was pretty clueless when I got it. I'm less clueless now thanks to making dumb mistakes and watching your videos. I'm over here in Phuket, Thailand (originally from Washington State), having fun boating and spearfishing. Thank God for youtube :)
Been watching since day one, just want to say that the production value is getting so good! Split screens, cuts, camera follows. All good stuff. And content is good as well. Good job sir! Thank you for the great videos.
Much appreciated! And I'm glad you notice!
I use to have mine on the outside, until kids (?), came swimming by one night and took out my drain plug. Now it stays on the inside. My boat wasn’t the only one vandalized that night.
That’s a very good argument for inside!
This plug goes inside the boat. You can pull it out while underway to drain water from the boat, if needed.
This
This is correct. My dad works on boats and this is how and why he taught me.
Lived on the water all my life. On a small Runabout aluminum boats, we always put them on the inside. That way if you had water in it when you got on plane you just popped the plug out and it would let the water drain out, no bailing.
Thing to consider is temperture, put in, its cold and it shrinks, not to mention on the inside I have access to remove and let water out when under way.
Very good points! Our water is cold right now - it might be a fun test to see how much it changes.
The nice thing with it inside, if you have other leaks i.e. poorly sealed screw holes, loose rivets, etc, you can more easily pull the plug and drive the boat to get rid of the water.
First Vid I've seen. This guy seems genuine. Good Stuff Wayne!
I appreciate that!
For me the plug placement depends on what boat I’m using.
I have one boat that has a battery, bilge pump & live well pump in a small area making it necessary to use the plug outside of the transom.
For most others I’ll use it inside & it makes for easy water drainage once underway .
Pro tip , always carry a spare drain plug for yourself or a fellow boater.
Be mindful of over tightening a expansion plug in a plastic through hull fitting. In time it will cause the fitting to split & leak. I always release the pressure on the plug when I’m off the water.
Good tip!!!
My plug is out as soon as it comes out of the water and left out until I'm ready to launch again. That's what the dept of natural resources wants us to do for the invasive species problem anyway. I usually put the plug inside, so it can drain under way, never a problem.
This video is very helpful - especially for those who don't think at all. Thanks, Wayne.
I really appreciate this video. I thought I had the wrong plug.
Hey Wayne! Love your videos. Love the way you present them. Although I have owned a boat for over 30 years, I still learn things all the time about boating. I'm currently building a boat motor stand from watching your video on that! Anyway, I just seen your quick video on the Atwood plug / book light you got! I recently sold and old boat and included two plugs. (One at the transom and one that was for the built in live well. So I ordered 2 Atwood Snap ring plugs to replace them and only recieved 1. I got a package of 3 rubber watch bands that go to an Apple smart watch (my daughter told me)! She wanted them so I'll just get another plug later. Similar story, although I didn't check the bar code. Keep up the good work! Garry from Michigan
lol - it's a trend!
great segment Wayne. I had never thought about which side it goes into, i always put it in the inside. last time i used one was on my old jon boat over 20 years ago. thanks for the refresher and great tip about the fishing line.
Thanks!
always on the outside because of convenience if you have taller boat or on mine in back i have aluminum built up so no water can ever get in and i have a deep v. so i would have to open the compartment and reach inside a hole and put it in from inside and that is a pain. i just use the t ones because i have heard of people putting these in wrong and them coming out and them taking in a lot of water fast and i commercial fish so my boat gets max loaded i would hate to take on water but i realized also deep vs with splash guards take a lot of water to sink. when i took out old live wells i didnt silicone them at first one hose fell to bottom when i was getting fish one day leaked in boat for 3 hours and i had like 500 lbs of catfish and the water in tank to keep them alive.. drove back to ramp could barely go 9 mph and boat was basically flooded with water lol. i love deep v for that reason. and no one should listen to people saying take your drain plug out underway.. get a damn pump and do it manually or have a bilge pump... most boats you cant let go of steering on full throttle go in back and take out plug.... wtf
Holy crap thank God I didn't sink my boat, I didn't know I had to twisted 😂😂, thankfully I wasn't on the water for that long. Great video!
RULE #1. Put it on a chain. If you DO lose it, plug it from the OUTSIDE, not the inside
Outboard tilt lock and release would be a good topic for a video.
Inside, where you can keep an eye on it. I have an extra one I keep in the boat, Tighten and flip to the side.
Note to self. Use boat drain plug as my wine stopper
This I like and we shall tell our friends
Wow, I hate to say it, but I've been doing it wrong for a along while Thanks WtBG, I'm a inside plug captain, the reason for this is the boat will self bale itself. While you are running at a decent speed, pull the plug out and the water will drain out. But put it back in before you get back at the dock.
Turning it tight is key!
I suppose the safety line is fine to keep from losing your plug in the water but I think it's also a good idea to have multiple drain plugs in the boat. An extra or two could help save the day. In my opinion, an extra drain plug should be considered just as much required equipment as a fire ext and a horn.
Your vid is very helpful to newbie boaters, always carry a spare easy to get to, I prefer inside so I can get to it easier, some you can't & have to be outside, we all have to learn, but some people shouldn't own boats if they don't know understand simple basics, you seem to touch on these points !
Thank you!
So speaking from experience, had a old aluminum boat that had a screw in plug that you put in from outside. However, with the vibration of the motor, it would loosen up and start leaking. 1 day it came completely out. Switched to using this same style and put it inside and never had an issue.
I recommend always putting the plug in from the inside unless the hull is designed in such a way that prevents access to the plug from the inside. If you plug it from the inside you will notice problems earlier, and the safety line tied to the plug is a great idea.
Noted. My boat had the plug attached with a bent bungee cord to one of the transom eyes so it wouldn't get lost... but also means it can't be cranked down much (and I didn't know that was a thing!!!). Due to being an IO, the plug can only be installed from the outside. I haven't had it on the water yet (was a "free" project boat that will hopefully see water again in the next few weeks); the old plug was rotten so I replaced it. Learn something every day!
Also use a line that floats to secure the plug and clean the drain hole to remove dirt and debris prior to installing the plug.
Almost every boater has forgotten to install the drain plug before launching. Here's a cool tip: put a snap ring on your boat's ignition key ring and keep the drain plug snapped to the key ring when the boat is out of the water. You will never again put the keys in the ignition without the plug in the drain hole. Also: keep a spare drain plug on your boat so you have a backup if you ever drop the other plug in the water and lose it.
That’s a good one! When I had my big boat (which had keys) I would keep my drain plug with the key when it was on the hard.
My little boat came with it installed on the inside and a line attached. So I went with it. I also placed a second plug, zip tied to the transome. I am .... that kind of guy.
That must be a fancy boat! I like that they did that.
Another great video
Wayne!😊 Thanks !
The main thing ,IMO, is to remember to put it in before you launch. (no matter which way you install it)
Except for maybe having to desperately having to stick your arm in the water trying to put it in when the boat is filling w/ water cuz you forgot. It's usually easier to install it from the outside cuz you have more room.
I put it inside so I can reach it from inside. If you get water in the boat for whatever reason, you can pull the plug while motoring and the water will drain. Just remember to put the plug back before you stop or slow down.
I've used mine inside of a boat forever! Use a a piece of old rope, run it through Big Eye, and tie of fas near the hole as possible. If fishing at night or it gets buried in wet leaves just give the rope a pull and it will be instantly found!
Was taught that the plug goes inside so you can drain the boat while on the lake get the boat going and pull the plug but put it back before slowing down because the water will flood the boat quick if you don't
Outside is for people who trailer their boats. Inside is for boats that are in the water all the time and collect rain or leak so you can bail it out easily by pulling the plug in motion. Wooden boats always leak and so do aluminum ones when you live on a rocky river and bang them off things.
I forgot about that twist thank you
They can go either way. I have needed to remove them several times over the years. Always been easier on the inside. Have had to go overboard to pull it out twice though and it saved me. One time got swamped by a wave another from a broke through hull fitting. On the first one it helped get the water out faster than just my bilge, on second it offset the broke fitting issue, enough for my pump to get me to shore, where I could fix it.
If I can put the plug on the inside, I use a flip style on the inside. If I can only insert it from the outside I use the little T-handle one, that way a stick or something can’t grab it and pull it out, thereby sinking me.
Lost a flip plug that was tightened flipped with the ring up. Must’ve come while beaching. Didn’t notice it was gone until I hauled the boat out and saw the water exiting the transom!
I looked in the engine compartment to find water 1/3 of the way up the engine. no wonder it was harder to winch onto the trailer than usual!😂
Having it on the inside makes it easier to remove if you want to drain out any excess water while on plane.
Just got one thank you for showing me the hole I enjoy your videos
I just put it in and flip it. Never twist to tighten. Never had a problem. Will start twisting. Only can help.
Used that type of plug inside and outside and had an extra or two around. The main thing the one very main thing is don't forget to put the plug in. That's it easy peasy.
Install it from the inside and tether it to something inside so it will never become misplaced or accidentally removed. AND, if it rains while you're on the water, you can most easily pull the plug while on plane and drain the rain.
Inside so when the boat fills with rain water. You can get up to speed and pull the drain to get the water out then reinstall the plug. Old trick from my fishing days.
I just bought a new jon boat and mine came tethered by a metal cord where you installed the fishing line, oh and it's on the inside of the boat.
When i'm out camping I leave the boat in the water for a week or 2. if it rains I just get in the boat and head down the lake WOT and flip and pull the plug from the inside and the water in the boat gets vacuumed out the drain hole into the lake. When empty I put the plug back in and flip it up and slow down. To me the plug always goes inside for this practical purpose.
I place it on the inside. Matter of fact of the boat is moving it creates outward suction . Requires two people but the plug can be removed to flush out the boat underway. A semi- swamped boat can be drained this way. Done it a few times.
When I was a kid my dad told me to always use it from the inside of the boat so we wouldn't lose it and can adjust it if needed.
I have a 72 fiberglass trihull. That plug is probably the only part of my boat that doesn't leak. My boat came with one, but I bought a brand new one and keep the old one as a spare onboard. Before I bought a bilge pump last summer I'd take on so much water that the back end would almost dip into the lake on a tight turn. If you have a leaky boat you should really get a bilge pump and deep cycle battery. You'll save the money in gas eventually by not hauling around hundreds of pounds of water and you might even save yourself from sinking. Also patch the holes that you can see with some marine epoxy. Old boats are sweet!
😂
Ok, so that was weird…I literally was just having a drain plug discussion last night with a friend who picked up an extra at Walmart….the t-handle vs the flip or snap handle…Thanks for the info 👋🏻
lol - nice!
I know tools, all kinds of tools, drain plugs are no exception. This type of plug reminds me of a oil drain plug for car/truck. I would never use that type with the "O" handle to plug outside of the boat on the lower part of the transom. Too easy for the handle to get caught on something and pull it out. I always use the type with the "T" handle on it then with an attached chain to some part of the upper transom. With an attached chain makes it easier to not forget to put it in. I always carry an extra.
I use mine on the inside of the boat and also have a spare with me. I have always put it on the inside because I have that fear of it getting snagged and popping out i also make sure it’s tight. I also have a 1500gph bilge pump in the back for emergency purposes
I always put my plug inside on my small boats. My large boats have a treaded plug on the outside. Never had a problem with either.
I’ve used both types inside and out side the hull , with my current boat I don’t have the option of running them (2). Outside, and because of that I run the T handle type now , and always have a couple extras on board .
if you have a leaky boat, plug from the inside so you can pull it out and run the water out at speed. I used to do this in a flooded 14ft tinner in the early years. Pulling it on the ramp in a pain if inside however...
Would have a few extra plugs, and use a safety line to the boat. Also a 1/4 turn valve inside the boat for emergency. Thanks
Good Lord I never knew, I always just flipped the handle up. Thank you! .... I'm sure it would have fallen out eventually.
I'm an inside kind of guy. I remember my dad forgetting to put the darn thing in, every now and again. I still have that 1963 StarCraft. I think the plug that I have is only 25 years old. only if I can remember where I put the new spear plug. I bought 12 years ago, or so. the rubber is beginning to crack on that old one.
25 year old plug - very cool.
My father had 22ft thunderbird cabin cruiser, and the drain plug was always inside and underneath the engine!
You can also over tighten those plugs and break the tab off the end.
Totally just taught me something new. Thanks!
Glad to hear it!
I've always installed it on the inside. There are enough threads sticking out on the outside for a fender washer and a nut. It's overkill but thats ok.
I always carry a spare that is easy to grab and jump in the water with if I need to replace one that fell out. Haven't had to do that... yet.
I doctor my plug up with Vaseline. Seems to help as a water stop. Also good if your plug has aged and restores the rubber.
I'm glad you explained the tightening of the plug so people don't make a mistake. I have it on the inside of my tracker so it never snags and I never have to remember it. I never would've put it inside without this feature.
I have a tracker boat that you cannot put it on the inside because I have an onboard gas tank !
it works just fine! I’ve never had a leak.
I've always installed it on the inside. I do use a lanyard so it doesn't go too far from the hole. I guess it's a case of to each his own
They can disappear if not attached!
I have used on inside for 50 years and never seen a drop of water. I always keep it tight and have a spare on hand. Aside from that I can swim very well.
I use a ring from my car key ring. Then I use a bathroom bead chain from the bath tub plug and secure it around the center bar at the back on my small fourteen foot open boat. On my fifteen foot R15 legend boat the plug has to be inserted from the outside before launching the boat. I have a piece of 500 lb paracord to hold it to the rear handles just in case. Always carry a couple of wine corks just in case something ever goes wrong .
Wine corks - good tip!!
My aluminum runabout has a storage area in back so getting to the inside of the plug is prohibitive. I have a 1/4" line tied to handle and stern bracket. Pretwist line so untwists as plug is tightened. Then close handle.
I have a new one to replace the one inside our engine room to the back bulkhead in our 1986 Chris Craft 381. There is no exterior drains on the boat, just 4 bilge pumps (fwd, engine room, backup/high water, and a rear pump).
I use mine on the inside of the boat, but I add a foam keychain to the handle in case it falls in the water so it'll float. or i tether it to the boat using some neon orange paracord.
It has always been inside for me. Use the "T" tightened plug and have the flip down handle as a spare.
On my 16 foot bass boat it is on the outside because it is hard to get to underneath a small deck in the back of the boat. On my 14/36 john boat I put it inside where I can drain any water out of the boat that happens to be there when the boat is underway and planed out!
There are a lot of boats that there is no way to access the drain from inside.
The world isn't limited to 14' open aluminum boats. Use the screw-type from the outside.
And there’s the double plug option. One outside one inside. Kind of a two is really one thing.
I used this plug, on outside of boat. I never noticed the hole for the line I'll have to take a closer look. I had tied a string thru the big loop but was afraid of water or something else catching the string and pulling the handle open so I took it off. Knowing I could possibly lose the plug I then decided keep an extra plug on the boat that I could grab in a pinch and jump in the water and put in.
My current boat, it has to go inside, you cant put one on the outside. An I have had one fail an shot in to the boat. Pretty sure it was age related. Put the plug in, tightened it an flipped it. Backed down the ramp, checked the plug an it was gone. Pulled back up the ramp, replaced the plug a tightened it more, same result. Drove to Walmart an got a new one, new one worked. I assume the age of the rubber made it not grip.
Connect a small cable or chain to it and to the transom so you dont loose it
I don't put it outside because if it gets dislodged for any reason it'll be history and you'll loose it and you better be close to the dock or have a spare. Water pressure between inside and outside is completely dependent on how deep your boat draft is, physics 101. And I'm sure anyone watching this channel has a trailer boat, less than a foot of draft so pressure is extremely small.
All of my deeper draft boats have had brass screw-in drain plugs that install from the outside.
Inside the boat! If water gets in the boat from any number of things, it can be pulled, the motor can go full out and the water will leave through the drain hole. Put it back in and you're good to go.
A fast idle will let the water drain just fine.
Thanks a lot. I did not know that.
My boat doesn’t have easy access to the drain hole from the inside because of engine bay so I run plug on outside with handle flipped up so it doesn’t snag anything. I carry an extra inside the boat for emergency. If I were to lose the plug I could use the extra to re-plug from the outside or get into the engine compartment and plug from inside in an emergency. Never have had the plug fail….
I have a rubber one that just plugs the hole
Is it just a rubber stopper with no T handle or loop handle?
Yep, just a rubber cone
I've been using them very wrong, apparently.
I've been using them to stop opened wine from going flat.
Always inside , if it's outside it may fall to the bottom if removed under way to remove water from the boat. You can't run the boat and remove it if it's outside
Like the instrumental.
i always used it inside the boat if it pops out i can stick it back in if it pops out outside tough better have some spares
I’ve always installed drain plugs on the inside.
And I carry a spare plug just in case, and I don’t lean over the transom to install the spare!
Yeah I wore one out recently and that's why I have that new one - to be the spare!
Man doh mannnnnnn……….
I think I was twelve years old when I first figured this one out but one thing caught me off guard once was when I took three cousins fishing and they wanted to be a little too much help in preparing to launch the boat. I didn’t double check to see if he put the plug in correctly and after launching the boat and parking the car and going back to the dock to board the boat, they were already inside the boat and sinking fast. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Is a baitwell plug different?