drain plug - stupid question

[Dick]

This may be a stupid question but it is bothering me and hope to get some answers that will put my mind at ease. I have a lund pro-v 1660. When I bought it from the dealer the drain plug was put into the transom from the outside. It is a screw type plug with a t-handle. My buddy puts his drain plug on the inside of the boat. It is difficult to reach in and remove when you want to drain the boat of any water at the end of the trip. My fear is that when mounted on the outside, the plug might work it's way loose and I would be in big trouble. Where do you guys mount your drain plug and am I being overly concerned about something that won't happen?

[chrism]

##### -
I've seen both ways and was wondering the same thing. It would be more convienient to have it on the outside, but unless it was secured by some sort of safety strap/chain, seems to me it is a pretty big risk. I keep mine on the inside, and it is hard to get at like you say.
I think that if you have a spare plug or two, the outside should be OK.

[Gunga Din]

I keep mine on the outside. I cinch it down tight and losing it has never been an issue. My buddy keeps his on the outside, but fastened a spare to a small chain on the inside, so in an emergency there's always one right there he can put in from the inside. A spare or two on-board is always smart.

[Jesse-WI]

A properly fitted and tightened drain will not fall out. The t plugs are better than the flap level type, since there is no chance that you could drive into something that might cause flap to become unflapped.

I place mine on the outside tightened very snug. I inspect the plug and hole prior to each usage.

With all of that said, I still carry a spare incase the unthinkable happens.

[Dennis from Denver]

I have a '98 Lund 1950 with the plug on the outside. I secured this plug with a wire leader to
the motor just incase it fell out. Lund has a
spare plug on the inside just incase.

[Hans]

D I C K (apparently the software thinks ##### is a dirty word!)

I've been installing them from the outside for 40 years..... never lost one yet, although I always carry a spare.

Hans
--
"There is nothing; absolutely nothing; half so much worth doing,
as simply messing about in boats." :-)

[Robertp]

I haven't been at it as long as Hans, but after 20 years and using both T handles and snap type on the outside I can tell you I have never lost one of either type. I always carry a spare and here was the "unthinkable" for me. One day, upon leaving the lake, and after a particularly drenching rain, I pulled the plug and threw it in the vehicle. The following week, fishing by myself, I launched the boat, tied off to a dock, and parked the vehicle. Came back to find the boat trying to stay afloat. Guess where the plug was? Still in the vehicle. Quickly pulled the spare from the glove box and popped it in, then waited at the dock, feeling "really stupid" for about an hour while it bilged out. Oh well, at least the spare paid off!

[Tom]

Robert, don't feel bad, everyone that boats has forgot the plug at one time or the other it's a lesson from the "School of Hard Knocks". Tom

[John N]

Hi #####. Same here, new Lund, came with plug on the outside, spare inside. Seemed odd to me, having always fished before from open-hull 14' aluminum boats with plug inside. Outside plug never has been a problem, and sure is a heck of a lot easier to get at from the outside if needed. Good fishing, John.

[John]

Guess we'll have to call you Richard....or Big Johnson.

[Keith Krych]

A bit of physics is involved here.

Water pressure from out side the hull is pushing in on the hull. Therefore if the drain plug is on the out side, the water pressure is actually helping to press the drain plug tighter into the drain hole.

If it’s on the inside, the water pressure could cause the drain plug to work out of the hole.

Good fishing
Keith

[Crestliner Type Person]

My Crestliner drain plug is attached through the hull and doesn't fall out. I drain the boat when I pull it out and then screw it back in. I can't lose it.

I will be honest: "How do I replace a bad one?"
HHmmmm?

[chrism]

#####...
Please excuse my unintended keyboard gomer move(#####)...guess them gremlins are back!

I too will now be putting the plug on the outside with a spare secured on the inside! Great post!

[Mobydick]

I've also used the plug on the outside for many years and never had a problem. Doesn't loosen a fraction. But twice a friend had his pull out. We finally narrowed it down to the cord he had tied from the plug to the big motor. Seems the turbulence behind the transom was pulling on the cord........No cord, no problem. Good Day

[sdwalleye]

I've had drian plugs on the inside and outside and the only time I've a problem is when I forgot to put in initally. If this happens to you don't panic just simple drive a way and plane out your boat the water will drain this way and after you've gone a ways you can stop and install the plug with just a small amount of water getting in. I no this sounds odd but it does work.

Keith

[sdwalleye]

I've had drian plugs on the inside and outside and the only time I've a problem is when I forgot to put in initally. If this happens to you don't panic just simple drive a way and plane out your boat the water will drain this way and after you've gone a ways you can stop and install the plug with just a small amount of water getting in. I no this sounds odd but it does work.

Keith

[Minnkotaguy(Mn)]

On my brother's Nitro bass boat, his drain plug is on the outside and it has never worked it self loose.

[Tim]

Just bought a new lund, and the plug inserts from inside, secured with a chain so it won't be lost.

[Lucky Jim]

Tim, So now what you do is buy a second plug and insert from outside. That one you can access easier. Keep the one on the chain as your extra back up but rig it so it does not bounce around going down the highway (i.e. duct tape to inside wall of transom), it will not get lost. Also not a bad idea to have a spare for livewell too.