View Full Version : No plug no water-unbelieveable
Went fishing Sunday, fished 5 hours and when loading the boat discovered that the plug was out (remembered taking it out the last time I loaded to drain rain water.) Fishing in a 1860 Ranger Angler (which I just love) never even noticed any problem. How can this be? Fished out of a pro-v lund for years and know what would have happened in it.
John in Mn
09-08-2009, 08:06 AM
Assuming you have the screw out plug that hangs out of the hole with a plastic retainer. The water coming in will pull the plug up restricting flow. When you are running on plane, any water in the bilge will get sucked out. Of course, if you have an auto bilge, that took care of it.
Tim Ellis
09-08-2009, 09:30 AM
When you are running on plane, any water in the bilge will get sucked out. Of course, if you have an auto bilge, that took care of it.
Yes this is what I've found to be true also.
thats unless you have too much water to get on plane
wait a minute, you are saying your ranger did not take on any water with the plug out, but a lund would have ? WOW Ranger should make that a tv commercial LOL just kidding I am glad your boat didn't fill up and all is well.
Ranger makes a heck of a good boat............
cast_and_blast
09-08-2009, 09:52 AM
I'm reading it as the bilge didn't run as the original poster wrote that they didn't notice any problem. Don't know about you, but unless it's raining I would consider the auto bilge running (and visibly shooting water out of the back of the boat) a problem.
Yep, there is a plastic tab retainer on the plug but I doubt that would stop much water. If the plug was out, the hole was open (clear) and the boat was stationary in the water it should have taken on enough to have the auto bilge activate.
Mata - you might want to check to make sure that your auto bilge is functioning properly (not obstructed so it cannot auto activate, fuse is good, etc.). If you put the plug in and add some water to the bilge via the in-floor drain the auto bilge should activate.
Scott
Went fishing Sunday, fished 5 hours and when loading the boat discovered that the plug was out (remembered taking it out the last time I loaded to drain rain water.) Fishing in a 1860 Ranger Angler (which I just love) never even noticed any problem. How can this be? Fished out of a pro-v lund for years and know what would have happened in it.
I must be missing something about a bilge pump, he doesn't say the bilge was running, just says he didn't notice any problem. I think he was saying that no water got in the boat with the plug out.
Hot Runr Guy
09-08-2009, 11:50 AM
Went fishing Sunday, fished 5 hours and when loading the boat discovered that the plug was out (remembered taking it out the last time I loaded to drain rain water.) Fishing in a 1860 Ranger Angler (which I just love) never even noticed any problem. How can this be? Fished out of a pro-v lund for years and know what would have happened in it.
and now, for a word from our sponsor,,,,,,,,,,,,:stirthepot:
Maybe it's got a drain plug inserted from the inside of the transom, and you've been putting the extra drain plug in one of the livewell ports? C'mon, 5 hours and no noticable water, or the auto bilge pump not shooting a stream out the side?? :huh:
HRG
I agree. I'm not doubting that this happened, but there must be something else to this story. I've never seen a bilge pump that can keep up with a "lack of plug" very long. Any busy holiday afternoon at the launch ramp provides good evidence of this.
I'll bet this boat has a ball scupper or something on the other end of the drain tube.
angler53
09-08-2009, 03:27 PM
Did that in my 1850 one day. Pulled out, went back to do all the things to road ready. Noticed I hadn't put the plug in that morning. A lady on the ramp beside me just laughed and said; Bet you won't do that again. Wife and I fished all day, never noticed any thing different. Dang thing peed water for long time, even with the bilge pump running.
I hardly ever see water come out when I pull the plug unless it has rained or I didn't put the plug in the ice box.
My bilge pump is manual only. I guess automatic is optional on these cheap rangers :D
I have left the plug out on my 1880 skeeter several times. Auto bilge would kick on about once an hour for 5-10 seconds. I fished like this for 8 hours one day because the water was too cold to reach into for to long. Don't have a reason why it doesn't take on more water but it's nice to know if I forget to install the plug I don't have to worry about it too much.
fish4trophy
09-08-2009, 07:11 PM
I did that one day on my 1860 Angler, did get some water and noticed it when I had some difficulty getting on plane. I don't have auto bilge, but that was one time I wish I had it. Glad you didn't have any further problems.
Yamy75
09-09-2009, 12:14 AM
Hoax
wow I guess those ranger boats really are unbelievable boats. what could be on the inside that prevents water from coming but does let water out ? Aren't those scuppers put on the outside of the transom ? Seems to me they world work the opposite way on the inside and let water in but not out.
Anyway sounds like you have a great boat
I have seen people launch without the plug and not even get away from the dock od not very far from the dock and water is coming up above the floor.
Hawker
09-09-2009, 06:31 AM
NO WAY! I'm betting the original drain plug is actually "in place" (that would be the one in the center at the lowest point) and he's been putting the spare drain plug into one of the livewell drain instead. Five hours without the drain plug in (Ranger or otherwise), auto bilge working full time, the boat is gonna be full of water, period!! Either the plug is actually in, or he suffers from STMF's (short term memory farts) like I do and pulled the plug earlier and just didn't remember doing it!!
cast_and_blast
09-09-2009, 07:15 AM
NO WAY! I'm betting the original drain plug is actually "in place" (that would be the one in the center at the lowest point) and he's been putting the spare drain plug into one of the livewell drain instead. Five hours without the drain plug in (Ranger or otherwise), auto bilge working full time, the boat is gonna be full of water, period!! Either the plug is actually in, or he suffers from STMF's (short term memory farts) like I do and pulled the plug earlier and just didn't remember doing it!!
Late model Ranger's (like the 1860) don't have a screw-in plug for the livewell intake/drain - it is not threaded and should be covered by a plastic screen.
If there is not auto bilge on this rig, I can see where it could take on water and not be coming out onto the floor. But it would certainly be evident when you try to get on plane - there would be several hundred pounds of extra weight in the boat that would shift to the stern in a hurry.
I was not aware that all Ranger's didn't have an auto bilge (that can be run manually too) plus a regular manually switched bilge too - all of mine have had two.
In any case - there would be a considerable amount of water in the boat and it should be noticeable.
Scott
Tim Ellis
09-09-2009, 10:41 AM
Depends on how often he was moving on plane from place to place. While on plane the water will create a vaccuum pull which will suck the water out of the boat while on plane via the open drain hole. However i will agree if he was not on plane for long periods of time the bilge should have kicked on to pump or it would have been slow to plane due to taking on water. Yes I am a Ranger owner but it is the same regardless of make/model of boat.
Tony Shirley
09-09-2009, 12:16 PM
NO WAY! I'm betting the original drain plug is actually "in place" (that would be the one in the center at the lowest point) and he's been putting the spare drain plug into one of the livewell drain instead. Five hours without the drain plug in (Ranger or otherwise), auto bilge working full time, the boat is gonna be full of water, period!! Either the plug is actually in, or he suffers from STMF's (short term memory farts) like I do and pulled the plug earlier and just didn't remember doing it!!
Hawker u have seen the light about Ranger Boats lol, Btw i have a 620 did the same thing hardly any water kept fishin all day
and now, for a word from our sponsor,,,,,,,,,,,,:stirthepot:
Maybe it's got a drain plug inserted from the inside of the transom, and you've been putting the extra drain plug in one of the livewell ports? C'mon, 5 hours and no noticable water, or the auto bilge pump not shooting a stream out the side?? :huh:
HRG
Obviously that is why it is called a drain plug. Drain plugs are for drain holes, not for filling the boat, so the water refuses to go 'in' the 'out' hole. The water knows it is not supposed to enter a drain hole and fill the boat, it is only supposed to exit the drain hole to empty the boat.
It would be like driving on the wrong side of the freeway.
Simple stuff really. Makes complete sense. Kind of surprised you did not know that HRG, your lack of understanding is amazing. :muahaha::whip:
This is precisely why you could not just drill bunches of holes in the boat and have similar results. The blueprints would have to specify the hole as a drain hole, or water would get confused and possibly enter the craft. Makes complete sense.
K Gonefishin
09-09-2009, 01:54 PM
Hawker u have seen the light about Ranger Boats lol, Btw i have a 620 did the same thing hardly any water kept fishin all day
Same here, left the plug out on my 621 fished 5-6 hours, auto pump did kick on a couple times for a minute here and there but I was shocked that hardly any water got into the boat. I was amazed to say the least.
Hot Runr Guy
09-09-2009, 03:18 PM
Obviously that is why it is called a drain plug. Drain plugs are for drain holes, not for filling the boat, so the water refuses to go 'in' the 'out' hole. The water knows it is not supposed to enter a drain hole and fill the boat, it is only supposed to exit the drain hole to empty the boat.
It would be like driving on the wrong side of the freeway.
Simple stuff really. Makes complete sense. Kind of surprised you did not know that HRG, your lack of understanding is amazing. :muahaha::whip:
This is precisely why you could not just drill bunches of holes in the boat and have similar results. The blueprints would have to specify the hole as a drain hole, or water would get confused and possibly enter the craft. Makes complete sense.
Burr,
I'm kind of a "show-me" type of guy. If you're at the GTG on Saturday, would you mind demonstrating this to me on your 2025? No doubt, your rig HAS to be as least as good as a Ranger, right?
HRG
Burr,
I'm kind of a "show-me" type of guy. If you're at the GTG on Saturday, would you mind demonstrating this to me on your 2025? No doubt, your rig HAS to be as least as good as a Ranger, right?
HRG
I'm not sure what you mean by at least as good as the Ranger, it is obviously much better. There really is no comparison. The Lund has a multi purpose hole in the transom to allow water both in and out. Is not a single purpose design like the Ranger. Much more versatile in function, and all within the same plug!
However, I would like to caution the Ranger boat owners. DO NOT go drilling holes in the bottom of your boat and expect it to stay dry. One hole is not the same as another.;)
fishin monkey
09-09-2009, 08:24 PM
I'm not sure what you mean by at least as good as the Ranger, it is obviously much better. There really is no comparison. The Lund has a multi purpose hole in the transom to allow water both in and out. Is not a single purpose design like the Ranger. Much more versatile in function, and all within the same plug!
However, I would like to caution the Ranger boat owners. DO NOT go drilling holes in the bottom of your boat and expect it to stay dry. One hole is not the same as another.;)Hope all lund owners
dont think like u burr.Thats the funniest thing ive ever heard that a guy wants to let water in his boat.
ShadTaxi
09-09-2009, 09:38 PM
OK. I have a Waverunner that has two drain plugs on it and both were open one day. It seemed a little slow in the turns but I did not notice until I pulled it out of the water. The Waverunner has an autobilge that must have been pumping but not noticeable.
Now on my boat I forgot the drain plug in 50 degree weather and I had to jump in the drink in order to put the plug in. That was a chiller. I will never forget again. Haha.
No seriously though, are you sure that you didn't leave the plug out of the cooler:muahaha:
angler53
09-10-2009, 04:35 AM
Did that in my 1850 one day. Pulled out, went back to do all the things to road ready. Noticed I hadn't put the plug in that morning. A lady on the ramp beside me just laughed and said; Bet you won't do that again. Wife and I fished all day, never noticed any thing different. Dang thing peed water for long time, even with the bilge pump running.
I hardly ever see water come out when I pull the plug unless it has rained or I didn't put the plug in the ice box.
My bilge pump is manual only. I guess automatic is optional on these cheap rangers :D
I mostly fish the banks on rivers and lakes for pan fish. I'm moving with the trolling motor and I would guess that that may prevent much water from getting in if the plug is out.
Oh, and when I said "these cheap rangers" I was implying that the reata is the lower end of the ranger price spectrum. Got to be careful what I say, you know.
sdak130
09-10-2009, 04:51 AM
OK I am just a dumb country boy but let me get this straight. He removed the plug the time before so he could DRAIN the water from his Ranger. Then goes fishing for 5 hours without a plug and has no water. I am not saying it cant happen but seems odd water gets in with plug in but not when its out.
Hawker
09-10-2009, 05:27 AM
OK I am just a dumb country boy but let me get this straight. He removed the plug the time before so he could DRAIN the water from his Ranger. Then goes fishing for 5 hours without a plug and has no water. I am not saying it cant happen but seems odd water gets in with plug in but not when its out.
Just keep in mind it's a "Ranger", OK??? (shhhhhhhhhhh)
the plug is suspended in tbe hole by a plastic cord and when the water tried to enter the plug recaped the hole. Probably not a perfect fit but letting very little water in. My 2-cents worth after reading all these posts, thanks all!
John in Mn
09-10-2009, 08:00 AM
the plug is suspended in tbe hole by a plastic cord and when the water tried to enter the plug recaped the hole. Probably not a perfect fit but letting very little water in. My 2-cents worth after reading all these posts, thanks all!
Exactly what I wrote in my first reply and it is absolutley the reason why little water gets in.
OK I am just a dumb country boy but let me get this straight. He removed the plug the time before so he could DRAIN the water from his Ranger. Then goes fishing for 5 hours without a plug and has no water. I am not saying it cant happen but seems odd water gets in with plug in but not when its out.
Maybe it was raining the time before...:P
Tim_Kelly
09-10-2009, 10:10 AM
I'm surprised boats don't have simple flapper non-return valves fitted in the drain holes anyway. If you forgot to put the drain plug in it would hugely reduce the amount of water that could get in, if not stop it altogether.
karpbuster
09-10-2009, 11:20 AM
Well the one time I left the plug out puttered over to the marina, went inside bought some things filled up the boat with gas, poured the minnows in the back live well. Started out, when I hit the gas water came up over my ankles. Talk about doing the modified stationary panic. So I would count my blessings in your case. Putting the plug in became a part of the pre-launch checklist. :) It has been my observation that putting it in is highly recommended, and is the best practice.
Burr is too funny, I think water in New Mexico runs up hill so we don't have the same logistical problems.
Burr is too funny, I think water in New Mexico runs up hill so we don't have the same logistical problems.
Ya want to hear some top-secret information - well, just pull up a chair and I'll tell ya a little story. It's true - it really is.
You know that pretty glitter stuff in glass boats? Ever wonder what it is? Well, I'm here to tell ya...
Over at Lund, at the end of each day, they sweep the floor of all the scrap created during the day. Well, in this pile of garbage are these little pieces of aluminum. They take that aluminum and put it in a grinder and make little shards of aluminum out of the scrap, box it up, and overnight it to Ranger.
Ranger takes the shards of aluminum and put it in the glass boats. It's the sparklie stuff you see in the glass boats. It's aluminum that gives glass boats strength and beauty. :fishhit::fishhit:
Without Lunds left-over garbage, Ranger boats would be weak and ugly.
Now you know the rest of the story. Gosh, I feel like a living Paul Harvey sharing all these little known gems of information.
smoker62
09-10-2009, 05:27 PM
Now their just strong and Ugly. Cant stand that giant disco glitter on certain fiberglass boats. Makes me want to dig out my " Angel Flight " pants and silk shirts and go dancin on the river.:rotfl: I woulda bought the new 621 with a 300 Verado but it was just too darn sparkly, so I got my nav with the 75 instead.:smokin:
ShadTaxi
09-10-2009, 06:56 PM
the plug is suspended in tbe hole by a plastic cord and when the water tried to enter the plug recaped the hole. Probably not a perfect fit but letting very little water in. My 2-cents worth after reading all these posts, thanks all!
My Waverunner has the same plugs. You still get a bunch of water in the bilge. I think that I did not notice it cause I was going full throttle most of the time.
ShadTaxi
09-10-2009, 07:01 PM
My Waverunner has the same plugs. You still get a bunch of water in the bilge. I think that I did not notice it cause I was going full throttle most of the time.
He has to have a one-way valve. Water goes out but does not go in?
http://autoparts.pricegrabber.com/engine-parts/SeaSense-DRAIN-ONE-WAY-PLUG-ONLY/m700446565.html
Either that or he has gotten used to the boat riding low?
Tony Shirley
09-11-2009, 08:54 AM
Ya want to hear some top-secret information - well, just pull up a chair and I'll tell ya a little story. It's true - it really is.
You know that pretty glitter stuff in glass boats? Ever wonder what it is? Well, I'm here to tell ya...
Over at Lund, at the end of each day, they sweep the floor of all the scrap created during the day. Well, in this pile of garbage are these little pieces of aluminum. They take that aluminum and put it in a grinder and make little shards of aluminum out of the scrap, box it up, and overnight it to Ranger.
Ranger takes the shards of aluminum and put it in the glass boats. It's the sparklie stuff you see in the glass boats. It's aluminum that gives glass boats strength and beauty. :fishhit::fishhit:
Without Lunds left-over garbage, Ranger boats would be weak and ugly.
Now you know the rest of the story. Gosh, I feel like a living Paul Harvey sharing all these little known gems of information.Burr its ok lol .a lund is like a belly button eveyones got one lol
mick14
09-11-2009, 11:54 AM
Did the same thing about a month ago on my 619. The plug gets pushed back into the hole by the outside water pressure. My auto bilge kicked on several times in about five hours. I know one thing, you cant reach down low enough with the boat on the water to reach the plug to screw it in.
T Mac
09-11-2009, 12:27 PM
Leaving the plug out ...a Ranger won't take on all that much water due to the way it is constructed.
It is a good feature for idiots. (just kidding).
But... the post is kind of a "finesse" troll.......IMHO ;)
LOL!
fisher-1
09-14-2009, 07:18 PM
Funny stuff.........LOL
Just wondering if it could be one of these one way drain plugs? http://www.marineengine.com/products/accessory.php?in=3671746
fooddude
03-11-2012, 09:08 PM
I've got a 1850 - had the family out for 2-3 hours anchored swimming with the kids with no drain plug - told my buddies about it and we all remembered the Ranger commercial with the boat all cut up and still floating. Crazy thing but it didn't really fill up that much
Mata,
Out of curiosity - if you have the boat on the trailer in your driveway and remove the plug from your boat, can you insert a rod for several feet into the bilge of your boat?
The other thing that I wonder, are you removing the drain plug from your boat, or are you removing a different plug from your boat?
Just curious.
REW
Drummer Boy
03-12-2012, 07:17 PM
Rangers walk on water,just ask any one who owns one.
Brookieslayer
03-12-2012, 07:47 PM
The only thing missing in the top secret info file above would be... "GOOD DAY"
hempbake1
03-12-2012, 08:14 PM
Triton 215 does the same thing as a ranger. 6 hours with no plug, runnin and gunnin to spots , sittin and fishin. Bilge came on about every 45 mins. The only reason i knew what it was is because when i test drove the boat the guy sellin it said he had checked the plug and it wasn't in. found out 3 hours later when we loaded it. Now my 2025 prov that i forgot the plug in one time, i couldn't hardly load it fast enough it was taking on water FAST! finally remebered there was another plug at the transom, just had to remove access cover in front of motor and plugged from the inside.
Same with my Lund 186GL vs my last aluminum Lund, the gl has the same plug as ranger, they don't fill up due to the retainer on the plug, the water pressure pushes the plug into the hole. The first time I forgot on the gl I was nervous, but when I checked the bilge it just had a bit in it and the water was trickling in. Imhad it beached so i could put thenplug in about two miles from the dock. The Mr Pike would have had water over the floor by the time you park the truck, and the bilge would have been running with the auto pump.
Munshaw
03-13-2012, 08:08 AM
Something about this story just doesn't hold water... :grin:
T Mac
03-13-2012, 08:43 AM
and now, for a word from our sponsor,,,,,,,,,,,,:stirthepot:
Maybe it's got a drain plug inserted from the inside of the transom, and you've been putting the extra drain plug in one of the livewell ports? C'mon, 5 hours and no noticable water, or the auto bilge pump not shooting a stream out the side?? :huh:
Hrg
x2 ;)
1860Angler
03-13-2012, 02:14 PM
Yet another reason my next boat will be a Ranger!!
Lat year while waiting to land my boat I watched a couple of guys with an unnamed late model aluminum boat forget to put the plug in when they launched, the one guy was parking the truck and the other guy was backing out into the lake waiting for the guy driving the truck to return, all of a sudden he must have realized that he forgot to put the plug in and slammed the boat in forward and hit the throttle and ran it right up onto the concrete landing ramps, jumped into the water, which was in May and around 50 degrees, and fumbled around until he got the plug in!! The noise the aluminum on the cement made was like finger nails on a chalk board!! If I didn't love to fish so much a lawn chair and a 12 pack at the boat ramp on opener would be pretty entertaining!!
champtech171
03-14-2012, 11:23 PM
the plug suspending in the hole really happens with the screw in type... i launched my parents stratos 375xf for them on time, drove it to the dock, tied up and jumped out. about 20min later my worry wort grandma asks "did you put the plug in?" "YES GRANDM... OH SHI%!" i thought for sure the water was to the rub-rails and the boat was hanging from the dock by the ropes. but when i got there it wasnt... so i reached down to put the plug in and there it was, loose but sitting right in the drain hole. there was water but not enough to turn on the auto bilge... so it happens!:shocked:
by the way... the only reason one buys aluminum is so they can crash their boat up and not affect the looks! :grin:
angler53
03-15-2012, 07:07 AM
The first time I took the wife fishing in our new Reata, I forgot to put the plug in. We fished three, four hours. When I pulled out there was a lady standing on the ramp beside us and she just smiled and said; I bet you won't do that again. I can't believe that boat didn't sink. It was dang sure FULL of water. I did notice it sat real low in the water and it acted strange trying to get on plane.
Just part of learning is all. What is it they use to call it; the school of hard knocks :frypan: