Amanda Knapp
Forgetting to put the drain plug back in your boat is a common mistake, and it can have scary consequences. If you forget to put the drain plug back in, the back end of your boat can become submerged, causing the boat to sink. However, this mistake is usually fixable. If you realize your mistake quickly, you can pull the boat out of the water and let it drain. You can also use a bilge pump to help drain the water. Once the boat is drained, you can rinse or wipe it with fresh water and spray everything with a corrosion blocker. If the area around the drain plug is damaged, you can repair it with epoxy or gelcoat.
Is my fiberglass boat ruined after forgetting the drain plug?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Boat type | Fiberglass outboard boat |
| Issue | Forgetting to put in the drain plug |
| Consequence | Water accumulation, boat sinking |
| Solution | Get the boat up on plane to drain water, use a bilge pump |
| Prevention | Make a pre-launch checklist, store the plug on the transom strap, use a remote drain plug, use a Plug-Minder |
| Repair | Clean the area, sand it smooth, use epoxy or gelcoat to repair fiberglass, reinstall the drain plug |
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What You'll Learn
The boat will fill with water
If you forget to put the drain plug in your fiberglass boat, it will fill with water. The amount of water that enters the boat depends on how soon you realize your mistake and act. In one instance, a boat owner noticed their mistake when there were already 6-8 inches of water inside the boat. In another instance, a boat owner noticed their mistake when the boat was already sinking.
If you realize your mistake while the boat is still floating, you can try to use a bilge pump to remove the water. However, this is not always effective, as bilge pumps sometimes fail to work. If you have a trailer, you can pull the boat out and let the water drain. This can take a long time, and you may need a 4x4 truck to manage it. If you don't have a trailer, you can try to keep the boat up on a plane so that the water runs out.
If you realize your mistake after the boat has sunk, you will need to find a way to raise it and drain the water. This may be difficult, especially if you don't have access to a trailer or other equipment. In any case, you should rinse or wipe down the affected areas with fresh water and spray them with a corrosion-resistant product.
To prevent this situation from occurring in the future, you can install a float switch on your bilge pump, which will alert you if you forget the plug. You can also make a pre-launch checklist or find another way to remind yourself to check for the plug before launching.
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The back end of the boat will be submerged
If the back end of your boat is submerged, it is essential to act quickly to minimize damage and increase the chances of a successful salvage. Here are the steps you should take:
Disconnect the Battery:
Ensure the battery is disconnected to prevent short circuits and further damage. This is a crucial safety precaution when working on electrical components.
Assess the Situation:
Determine how much of the boat is underwater and evaluate the potential damage. This step will help you decide on the next course of action and whether you need professional assistance.
Remove the Boat from the Water:
Use a trailer to pull the boat out of the water. This process may take some time, as you need to give the water time to drain. Be cautious when using a ramp to avoid putting too much weight on the trailer, which could damage it.
Drain Excess Water:
Once the boat is on the trailer, pull the drain plug and ensure scuppers are clear to allow for efficient water drainage.
Dry Electrical Components:
Use a clean cloth or air compressor to thoroughly dry electrical parts, including the alternator, starter motor, sensors, and wiring harnesses.
Apply Water-Displacing Spray:
Spray electrical components with a product like WD-40 to prevent moisture-related issues and protect them from corrosion.
Check Engine Fluids:
Monitor engine fluids for several uses after submersion, looking for signs of water contamination such as milky or frothy oil. You may need to change the oil and engine fluids more frequently during this period.
Remove and Drain the Engine:
If possible, remove the engine from the boat and drain it by removing the drain plugs and tilting the engine. This will help remove any remaining water and prevent further damage.
Crank the Engine:
Remove the spark plugs and crank the engine to eject any remaining water. You can do this by hand with a breaker bar on the center crank pulley bolt or with the starter.
Reinstall Spark Plugs and Run the Engine:
After cranking, reinstall the spark plugs, connect the coil wire, and run the engine. Warm it up, then change the oil and filter.
Regular Inspections:
Continue to monitor the electrical system for corrosion or intermittent faults. Regularly apply water-displacing spray to electrical components to prevent moisture issues.
Remember to perform a thorough inspection of your boat and its components after the incident. This includes checking for any damage to the hull, engine, electrical system, and other parts that may have been affected by the submersion. It is also a good idea to create a pre-launch checklist to ensure you don't forget the drain plug in the future.
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You can drain the water by getting the boat up on plane
Forgetting to put the drain plug in a fibreglass boat is a common mistake. While it can be scary, the boat is not necessarily ruined. The first step is to get the boat out of the water and let it drain. You can drain the water by getting the boat up on plane.
Getting a boat up on plane refers to the act of the boat moving forward through the water, creating hydrodynamic lift. The boat will start to rise as its speed increases. The boat will then come up onto a plane, with about a third of the boat out of the water. This reduces drag and improves fuel economy.
To get your boat up on plane, start by practising in calm waters with little wind. As you increase the speed, the bow will start to rise. Continue to increase the speed until the bow starts to drop. At this point, trim the drive up, away from the transom. You can normally find the trim control incorporated into the throttle lever. As you trim up, the speed will increase, even if the RPMs stay the same. If the boat slows, stop trimming or back down a little.
Be careful not to add too much trim, as the bow may rise too high, and the stern may squat in the water. If the prop is trimmed too high, it may come out of the water, and the boat may "porpoise", with the bow rising and falling continually.
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You can repair the fiberglass with epoxy or gelcoat
Forgetting to put the drain plug in your boat can be a scary situation, but it's a common mistake. If you've forgotten to put in your drain plug, the first thing to do is to get the boat out of the water and let it drain. The next steps involve cleaning and inspecting the boat for any damage. If the boat's fiberglass body has been damaged, you can repair it with epoxy or gelcoat.
Epoxy adhesives can be used to repair fiberglass. However, it is not the best option for gelcoat repairs as it is poorly compatible and will be visible.
You can repair the fiberglass with gelcoat, which is a more common method. First, inspect the boat for small cracks, scratches, and chips. Most scratches and chips in the gelcoat are caused by impacts with hard objects and are not cause for concern. However, if you find a series of cracks, inspect the area more closely. If the cracks radiate from load-bearing equipment, there may be an installation problem that needs to be addressed before repairing the gelcoat.
To repair the gelcoat, start by washing the area with soap and water and rinsing it thoroughly. If the surface is oxidized, restore it with a rubbing compound to match its color accurately. Once the surface is clean and dry, mark off the repair area with masking tape. Use a miniature grinding tool to widen small cracks and deep scratches so that they can be filled with gelcoat paste. Sand the area lightly with 220-grit sandpaper, then clean it with acetone to remove any residue.
The next step is to match the color of your existing gelcoat. Start with a white or neutral gelcoat paste and add small amounts of a coloring agent. Mix several test batches, add hardener, and allow them to cure. Once you've achieved a close color match, mix a final batch and use a putty knife to fill the repaired areas. Be sure to overfill as gelcoat tends to shrink as it cures. Seal the repair from the air with a curing agent or plastic wrap. Once the gelcoat has cured, sand the repair smooth.
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You can prevent this from happening by installing a float switch on your bilge pump
Forgetting to put the drain plug in a fibreglass boat can lead to a scary situation, as water will start to fill the boat. Luckily, there are ways to prevent this from happening, such as installing a float switch on your bilge pump.
A float switch is designed for the automatic activation of your bilge pump. This means that the float switch will automatically turn on your bilge pump when water levels rise, preventing flooding and keeping your boat dry. Float switches are made with high-quality, durable materials and are built to last in harsh marine environments. They are also easy to install and can seamlessly integrate into your boat's existing wiring system.
To wire a bilge pump float switch, you can choose between a manual/auto bilge switch or an ON-OFF-AUTO switch. The manual/auto bilge switch has an A-B switch with a centre off position and two paths: one direct (bypassing the float) and one in series with the float switch. In the series path, both the auto switch and the float switch must be closed for the pump to activate. This option ensures that your float switch will turn on your bilge pump if it ever begins to fill up with water, even if you forget to turn the "auto" switch on or have your battery switch off.
The ON-OFF-AUTO switch allows you to fill your bilge with water for cleaning and provides flexibility if you prefer a manual/auto switch. When wiring a bilge pump float switch, it is recommended to run the "auto" float switch lead directly from the boat's battery to ensure activation even when the boat is left at the dock.
By installing a float switch on your bilge pump, you can have peace of mind knowing that your bilge pump will activate when needed, preventing potential flooding and costly repairs.
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Frequently asked questions
Forgetting to put in the drain plug is a common mistake, and it is not uncommon for boats to accumulate water as a result. The boat can be drained, and you can prevent this from happening again by installing a float switch on your bilge pump.
Get the boat up on plane to drain the water.
Install a second bilge pump, or use a cork of the proper size for the drain plug hole on the inside of the boat.
Clean the area thoroughly, removing the old silicon seal. Sand the area smooth, and finish with 400-grit wet, dry sandpaper. Reposition the drain so the screw holes do not line up with the old ones, and drill new pilot holes. Put a bead of 3M 5200 Fast Cure caulk around the drain and reinstall using new stainless steel screws.
You can use epoxy as a body filler compound, or purchase gelcoat. If you use epoxy, use one that will harden like JB Weld or Marine Tex.
