Drain plug wisdom needed

[Crow Hunter]

Now that we can't legally pull a boat down the road with the drain plug installed, I would like to install from the outside, since it is hard to get at from the inside. Can I still use my lever-type plug, and flip the handle up to lock it? Will it get pulled out at 40+ mph on the water? Would a T-handle one be better? Should i just continue installing it from the inside to be safe? Thanks.

[GrizzlyAdams]

I have always installed mine outside. I would suggest getting a "T" handled one as they are really cheap. Wally world has them for $2 or $3 or so I believe. I usually have a couple extras in the boat just in case. Never had one come out but I have only had my bigger boat now since the end of last summer. I thought the same as you with the flip style and just bought a couple "T" ones as piece of mind.

[BoxMN]

The lever plug works fine on outside. We use it at 52 mph Just keep an extra in the boat to be safe. Ours is still in the package many years later...

[LightningBG]

The speed traveled shouldn't really matter, because the plug should be out of the water when your up on plane. Make sure the lever isn't sticking down below the bottom of the hull.

[Chode2235]

you can install a screw in type that I have on my Ranger. It has a connection that keeps the plug attached to the back of the boat, and screws in. Slick, you leave it right there and never have to worry about losing it.

Here is a picture I found:

[B@ssmaster]

Another option, although it isn't as pretty as the last post, you could continue to use the flip style plug, insert from the outside, but just have a tether of some sort tied to the plug and your transom/wiring, etc....if it pops out, at least you'd still have it on the end of the tether.....

[magnum mike]

I am doing the same thing. use the google for the item below:

Seachoice 18781 Captive Plug Drain Plug Set

Screw type drain plug is constructed of black nylon and features an "O" ring for positive sealing. Fine threads maintain sealing under high vibration conditions.

Mounts in a 1" diameter hole and mounts with two #8 screws. Mounting flange: 1-1/2" x 2". Ideal for boat transoms, fish wells, ice chests.

Plug is attached and cannot be lost.

Regular Price: $ 3.35

Our Price: $ 2.99

[BartmanMN]

This is plug type that I have on my crestliner

[reinhard1]

i have the same type on my chrestliner. very handy and works just fine. good luck.

[BobT]

I've put mine in from the outside for years, ever since the day I got my boat.

[fasternu]

I've used the flip style from the outside for about 30 years, and not once had it fall out. In fact, one time I lost it going to the lake, and just stuck a stick bobber in, and it worked fine as well!

[Moe Szyslak]

I am still waiting to see a CO try and pull me over on the road! Ummm no.

[magnum mike]

I said the same thing last year. One of our guys got stopped between the landing and the shack. NO fine becasue the CO said it was a new law but he said be prepared this year. I think this is BRAVO SIERRA but it is real.

[Capt. H (Ret.)]

Being from Iowa and doing alot of fishing in Minnesota this is good information to know. I have used the flip style plug on 2 Alumacraft 175's for 20 years and have never had an issue with one coming out. I also carry a spare just in case.

Mike

[MinDak Hunter]

Moe S said, "I am still waiting to see a CO try and pull me over on the road! Ummm no."

Are you saying you won't stop for a licensed peace officer, or did I misunderstand what you are saying? I guess I don't understand the point of your comment.

[MinDak Hunter]

Here is the defininition of a "Peace Officer" in MN. The CO can enforce almost any laws that a deputy, trooper, or police officer can... there are two statutes that the CO's are written out of but traffic stops are within their purview.

MN Statute 626.05

Subd. 2.Peace officer.The term "peace officer," as used in sections 626.04 to 626.17, means a person who is licensed as a peace officer in accordance with section 626.84, subdivision 1, and who serves as a sheriff, deputy sheriff, police officer, conservation officer, agent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, agent of the Division of Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement, University of Minnesota peace officer, Metropolitan Transit police officer, or State Patrol trooper as authorized by section 299D.03.

[Steve Foss]

On my larger inboard boat it's just barely not possible to reach a drain plug from the inside, so I have the T-style plug on the outside. I'm going to go to the T-style on my smaller boat, too, since I trailer it all the time and it's a lot easier to pull the plug from the outside than the inside.