Drain Plug Crucial, But If You Forget …
Have you ever forgotten to put in your drain plug before you launched your boat? I hope not.
But if you’d like to avoid the embarassment of launching, then experiencing that awful sinking feeling, here are some tips.
Of course, reminding yourself to put in the plug before you launch is wise. But it’s also difficult to remember with the anxiety of a crowded ramp and the anticipation of excitement to come.
But let’s assume you forgot. The best solution is to have several extra plugs handy - one in the boat, another on a tackle box or in a ski gear bag. Then when the flooding begins, screw in a plug, bail, and be on your way.
You might want to store your plug on a stern fender hook. It’s more visible then, and keeping it there reminds you to put in the plug as you prepare to launch. If you do forget, this placement also makes the plug immediately accessible.
What if your boat’s bilge is hidden by a deck and you can’t easily reach the plug hole? If only a little water has entered the bilge before you notice the problem, start the engine and cruise near the ramp. If you can get the boat on plane, getting under way can remove much of the water - enough to keep you afloat.
If you’re with a partner in this circumstance, let your partner plug the hole while you operate the boat. If you’re alone and you can get the boat on plane, beach the boat. Then plug the hole and bail.
If you can’t run the engine and bring the boat on plane, plug the hole and set the anchor to hold your position, in that order. Then bail. The built-in flotation of most boats keeps even swamped boats afloat.
A similar strategy works if you launch and discover that the hole isn’t plugged and that you have no plug. Just beach the boat. This minimizes the amount of water you take on.
A variety of soft pine dowels and rags to plug holes or temporarily fix hull damage are among the kit of most ocean-going boaters. The wood can be whittled to shape fast and the rags can chink any leaks. Consider such a kit for your boat, too.
Some boaters use a takeoff checklist, just like airplane pilots. They find it helps make for more peace of mind on their boating trips. Make one up yourself just by making a list of the safety gear, straps and plugs you need. Be sure to include equipment, food and water. And - as important as the plug - make certain you check your fuel, oil, and battery status.
Segregate the items by priority so you’re not searching through a 100-item list on a busy morning. The list can be helpful to show a marine patrol officer that you’ve complied with all regulations. Oh, and don’t forget to take the list to the local copy shop and have it laminated, too.
Another goof that won’t endear you to a Saturday morning launch ramp crowd is to drop your tow vehicle’s keys overboard while launching your boat. Then not only have you done a dumb thing, but you’ve blocked the ramp, too. It’s a good idea to keep an extra set of keys on a key ring float.
No one remembers the person who launches smoothly and quickly. But everyone remembers the so-and-so who didn’t.