I was drift fishing on the CO river with son and his father in law behind me in the back. The boat got real heavy to row and I looked to my side and we were taking on water the in-law kicked out one of the drain plugs so made a mad dash to the shore thankfully not in a but rapid area. S**t happens hopefully all ends well. Maybe I should add a bilge pump on that boat
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Mike Schulz wrote:</div>
I thought some were approved by the DNR…I believe the ones by digger are approved.
I had not seen it addressed so that is why I asked.
After further research, this what I found in the boating regulations booklet;
“Keep drain plugs out and
water‑draining devices open while transporting watercraft.”
The first time leaving a plug out can definitely make your heart race. Once you realize because of all the floatation the Coast Guard requires being installed, your boat will likely never sink, even if you leave the plug out indefinitely; you’ll be able to relax a bit.
If your motor is strong enough you should be able to kick it up on plane and the water will drain pretty fast, then if you can reach it put the plug in from the inside. Or stop and put the plug in from the transom if you can reach.
The first time I left it out I docked the boat and walked away for a couple hours. Came back with water over the floor. Hopped in, popped the plug in, turned the bilge on and let it run. Been in the middle of the lake and did the same thing.
It’s more embarrassing than anything.
Been there!
As a coach and a parent, I’ve learned that if a child doesn’t know what to do, it’s the coaches or the parent fault. Then once they know, you immediately give them the opportunity to do it the right way. If they do it wrong you let them try it again. If they fail again, you have them try knitting.
If they never fail, they never truly learn.
I think everyone with a boat has fotgotten to put the plug in the boat a time or two. It’s not a matter of if but rather when.
Been there done that. Twice
My parents let me use their toys at a pretty young age. Being young and dumb, at least that is what I am blaming it on, failed putting the plug in a couple times, brother unhooked both strap and safety chain from boat on a roller trailer, didn’t make it on water that day. Buddy did the same on another of parents boats, luckily it was pretty much all sand and boat was mostly in water. Good learning experiences before turning 18!
In 39 years happened twice . Related story my dad was a mechanic , evidently as a kid i did not listen to well . Got off third shift and was heading out to go bird hunting . My 67 Chevy pickup rear brakes were bad . So i stop at the house on the way . Got a hammer and smashed what i thought were brake lines. At least i would have front brakes . I made it a half mile out of town , the truck stuttered and died . Along comes my dad , he is checking spark etc . He says its not getting fuel ? Light bulb goes on , i tell him i smashed what i thought was a rear brake line , the look on his face ! He crawls under the truck and just shook his head . He went to the auto supply got a piece of hose and got it going . Not before an older guy comes out to lend a hand . At that point my dad looks at the guy and says he is no kid of mine . LOL . No birds that day , but i jumped the nicest buck i had seen in a long time .
Did it once myself. Dumped the boat in and parked. Came back and was getting the trolling motor organized. Wife asks if there is supposed to be water coming through the carpet.
Was on Kabetogama a few years ago. Double launch and the guy on the other side left a little bit after me. Had his family with. I was going slow still waiting for my maps to load and I hear a bunch of yelling about we’re going to sink. Guy panicked, threw it in high gear(smaller boat,probably a 25hp), cut in front me so close I could have reached out and touched him. Luckily I was paying attention and stopped. After they passed my kids were like wtf just happened. They were so close my dog could jumped into their boat. And the guy didn’t say anything.
Done that! And I once got the boat launched with the back straps attached!
I know I have told this story here before, but I once unhooked the chain and the strap on my trailer and proceeded to back the boat in at Little Rock lake. The trailer started bouncing and I was going slow and the boat started to roll off. I made it into the water but off the boat goes! SLammed the truck in park (I thought) and ran out only to be almost knocked over by the open door as my truck rolled back. Slammed it in park again and the boat was floating free in the channel. I asked a boat that was there for a little help retrieving my boat and they grabbed it and brought it to the dock. I got in the truck which was partially submerged and tried to drive out. It was just spinning. I put it in 4 wheel drive and got out. OPenned the rear doors and water came pouring out. Here my truck slid in and then got hung up on the post of the dock which lifted my rear wheels off the ground which is why I couldnt drive out in 2 wheel.
I know everyone wants to look like a professional at the landing but slow and steady has its advantages.
Leaving the plug out is how I found out I have an automatic bilge.
FYI for boaters with I/Os. I left a plug out of an IO bilges kick
In all was pumped out and started worked great for a week trip. Water level did encompass starter i went to use boat a month later and starter sized up from water. Make sure you at least blow out starter and maybe pull to make sure water is all out.
Yup I fished a secluded launch this weekend. From what I can tell if your a first time boat operator, don’t bring your dog out, and don’t find out you don’t know how to operate your new old boat on opening weekend. I tried not to make it obvious that they were my entertainment for the morning. Like I said it was secluded so they were one of two boats on that whole lake.
She needed a good bath. That’s what I’ve told myself when I forgot the plug.
I’ve done it once, the first year I bought my own boat in 2016. Drove from point A to the first spot and fished for 30 minutes until friend asked why there was water in the bottom on a mostly sunny day. I immediately realized what I had done. Reached behind the transom, put the plug in, and ran the bilge for 20 minutes. Its amazing how much flotation is built into a boat.
As others have stated, once you get a pre-launch routine down, its hard to forget.
Ah yes the old wrong hole sorry babe. 
I have done that one once, another time we forgot to put it in at all. I have a good friend that I would say we fish 90 percent of the time together and mostly in my boat. He is the only other person I let help with getting the boat ready to launch. Mason will never make that mistake again.
I tried to train my late friend B. on this, we would pull up to the launch and I would have to remind him to remind me! He would say: oh, oh, pull the plug out.
Pretty good at remembering now, watching your boat fill with water is a wake up call for sure.
I have a open hole at the top of the transom that fits the drain plug. WHen I take it out I put it in there and I cant miss it when I am in the back since its right next to the rear straps.
If you have water creeping up in the back of the boat after forgetting the plug, run the boat at a fairly high speed for a while with the plug out and the water will drain out through the drain hole fairly quickly. Don’t ask me how I know.
If you have water creeping up in the back of the boat after forgetting the plug, run the boat at a fairly high speed for a while with the plug out and the water will drain out through the drain hole fairly quickly. Don’t ask me how I know.
Weve done that too many years ago.
Forgot to take the transom saver off once and the straps once, too. Dragged my skeg a few feet up the ramp before a guy nearby started yelling and I stopped. 
Get the boat up on plane and it will drain out. Then figure how to get the plug in? Maybe hang him by his feet and have him move it over to the drain. LOL
Get the boat up on plane and it will drain out. Then figure how to get the plug in? Maybe hang him by his feet and have him move it over to the drain. LOL
Not sure BC is hanging on to Mason by his feet, might have needed another guy, he’s a big boy!
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>bigcrappie wrote:</div>
Get the boat up on plane and it will drain out. Then figure how to get the plug in? Maybe hang him by his feet and have him move it over to the drain. LOLNot sure BC is hanging on to Mason by his feet, might have needed another guy, he’s a big boy!
Yes he is!! I’d guess, if anything, Mason would have to hold BC’s feet. 
Yes he is!! I’d guess, if anything, Mason would have to hold BC’s feet.
I bet Mason would enjoy the hell out of that!
Get the boat up on plane and it will drain out.
My boat had no interest in getting up on plane with 100 gallons or more of water in it when I brain farted. Kid was like 5 I figured we were done for.
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