How Do You Install a Bronze Screw-in Bilge Drain

T

Tim & Dave Kinghorn

New member
How did those of you with a bronze screw-in bilge drain plug go about the installation?

I assume you drilled the old hole over-sized (how big?), and then undercut to fill the whole thing with epoxy. Drill for a new drain tube and screw on the bronze fitting with the screw-in plug.

Did you epoxy the tube into the new hole?

I'd appreciate any input from those who have done this. Thank you!

Tim and Dave Kinghorn
 
Tim & Dave, I just installed two on the TomCat. After the holes were drilled in the transom, which has a foam core, I epoxied the inside of the hole, twice. No need to undercut since it is a fresh hole. I sealed the flange to the transom with 4200 and secured with bronze screws. See our album for the procedure.

Then, devise a fool-proof method of remembering the plugs at every launch!
DSCN0138.sized.jpg
 
The method I use upon pulling the boat is to remove the plug to drain and place it on the dash right above the steering wheel while I do tinker stuff, tie downs, etc. then put the plug back in before driving away...
At home, if the boat is outside in a rain I pull the plug at supper time and put it on the table next to my plate... After supper I go put it back in... I do not let the boat sit with the plug out...
I have adopted this method because as my tooth has gotten longer my CRS has gotten shorter...
 
On a previous boat that had this type bilge plug, I mounted an additonal base plate on the inside of the transom, and kept the screw-in plug there.

I'm not sure why, but I actually prefer this type of plug versus the other type. Is there a practical reason for one over the other?

...while we're on the topic of bilge plugs - I've always put bilge plugs in from the outside, but I know some folks put them in from the inside. Is there a reason(?) or is it just personal preference? I know that on Whalers (and some other open cockpit self-bailers) folks like to put the plug in from inside to facilitate bailing while running, but I always just used the bilge pump if it was necessary.

Best,
Casey
 
Casey":3g5fcinn said:
...while we're on the topic of bilge plugs - I've always put bilge plugs in from the outside, but I know some folks put them in from the inside. Is there a reason(?) or is it just personal preference?

Best,
Casey
Click to expand...

Oh-Oh! I think I sense another round of the infamous (and interminable)

Da plug--inny or outy?Debate!

Joe. :roll: :thup
 
Thanks Joe for posting the reference to the "Great Inny Outy Debate". I tried to locate it as well, but was not successful. We should annoint you our "C-Brat Resource/Research Librarian", because you do such a superb job in those tasks. :thup Hard to believe that the thread is from 4 years ago....my how time flies.

What I didn't remember was that the "thread" was 5 pages long. (I just skimmed over part of the thread and located my "Inny Outy Skunk Joke on page one of the thread :roll: .

Thanks,
Joe
 
Hi Brent,

Thanks for the reference. It certainly ensures that you want to properly prepare any opening into a cored material whether the hull, topsides or other structures.

Tim and Dave Kinghorn
 
My CD came equipped with a bronze 1 1/4" threaded drain plug and fitting. The plug has a 1/2" square indent for a ratchet wrench. This requires the wrench be readily available.
Does anyone know of a bronze 1 1/4" plug with a built in "T" handle ?????

I painted the plug face with white, then fluorescent red paint so it shows up when screwed in. I also mounted a plastic 1 1/4" cap on my motor extension and screw the plug into it for storage when not in the hull. I have not forgot it in two summers. I can see it from inside the boat when stored in the cap so it is easy to check just before launch. Works for me.
 
Sea Wolf":16hos676 said:
Casey":16hos676 said:
...while we're on the topic of bilge plugs - I've always put bilge plugs in from the outside, but I know some folks put them in from the inside. Is there a reason(?) or is it just personal preference?

Best,
Casey
Click to expand...

Oh-Oh! I think I sense another round of the infamous (and interminable)

Da plug--inny or outy?Debate!

Joe. :roll: :thup
Click to expand...

If you have those plugs on a TC255, unless you have 3' long arms, you have outie(s) as you would have to reach waaaaaaay down in the sponsons to put them in!

Charlie
 
This summer i had both plugs on the inside,the T-handle types.When i tried to remove one of the plugs after haul-out, the T-handle and shaft( stem ) just slide out. ( without turning the T-handle ). leaving the plug still in the drain hole with a hole in it.I don't know what was keeping the water out, there was nothing hold the T-handle in place. I remember having stepped on the plug a few times fishing when i was attaching the downrigger release clip to the fishing line. Is stepping on the drain plug a common occurrence, it does kinda stick out. Tug
 
I would undercut, fill with epoxy, and then redrill/smooth, and epoxy tube in place. Water can still be adsorbed into a foam core and cause problems--as Pascoe shows. There won't be dry rot, but it can eventually cause problems, and is not that much more time consuming than just inserting the tube.
 
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