Boat Plug

[Warbucks]

OK, with all this talk about taking the plug out of your boat while traveling, how many of you Rocket Scientists (like Me) forgot to put it back in when you launched? When I came back from the parking lot and saw my l/2 empty gas tank floating inside my boat, I knew just what happened.

[Tator2k]

[ducker]

I understand the rule but it will cost somebody their life. My opinion. Hope I'm wrong.

[Jmeyers]

guilty

[WallyGator12000]

Last season I could have been in deep trouble because of the plug law...we were fishing Mille Lacs and kept getting blown off because of fronts coming through with lightning (the kind of lightning where your rod tip cracks and pops when you raise it up in the air and your line won't lie down on the water). So wouldn't you know the third time we go to launch again I forget to put the plug back in my ranger. Luckily my buddy got a phone call right when we launched, and I didn't take off right away so he could finish the call, instead I just slowly idled out. A few minutes later when I did drop the hammer, the boat wouldn't plane and I couldn't figure out what was wrong until the lightbulb went on and I immediately kicked the bilge on. Then I had my buddy run to the front and we were able to just get back on plane enough to make the 200 yd run back to the landing go get it on the trailer to drain.

If he hadn't have gotten that call we would have been headed out a couple of miles to troll lead on the mud flats. We would have gotten out there without much water getting in (because I would have taken off right away and water doesn't come in while you're on plane, it actually goes out) but then we would have gotten to the spot and been in deep [PoorWordUsage] when a few minutes into our trolling the boat starts to list. I know Rangers are crazy about floating even when cut apart, but I don't exactly want to see that first hand.

I agree, I understand the law but I pray it doesn't cost someone their life.

[Esox_Magnum]

I have always pulled my plugs on every boat I have owned, still forget it at least once a year. Easy fix, reach over the back and put it in and hit the bilage, or just get moving forward and it will drain......

[FM_Mike]

3 fricken times last week. Boy that water was cold reaching over the transom to screw in. I will remember I'm sure

Mike

[shamalex72]

I did it a couple weeks ago.

[Fowlmouth]

Haven't done it yet while fishing, but have it done too many times to count while unloading the duckboat in the dark still half asleep!

[My_Key]

I've done it twice. Once last year, and then again this year opening weekend.

[jigginjerk]

Brilliant law! How much water do you suppose has already been transfered because of this exact reason. I don't know any big boat that will completly drain out with the plug pulled. My thoughts is if no water comes in, no water goes out. If your boat leaks you pull the plug when you pull it out of the water.

[PerchJerker]

I don't understand why so many guys are having problems with this. I've been pulling my plug for years, ever since I became aware of infected lakes, and it's been years since I forgot to put the plug in. I have a simple routine, I walk around the boat before launching and check the bow strap, 2 transom straps, transom saver, motors trimmed up, and plug in. Takes about 5 seconds. I do it whether I'm launching by myself or have a buddy with me. Good luck to all the guys having problems

[CAMAN]

+eleventy billion Perch!!!!!!!!!! I've always pulled the plug and always will.

Yeah I've forgotten a few times, but the boat's never sank and I've never felt like I was in any danger because I did. Once I even launched the boat, drove it to the dock, tied it up and left for an hour. Came back and see everything floating in the 4 inches of water above the floor. Just had to throw the plug in, turn the bilge pump on, snugged up the life jacket and idled my way to the landing. The key is not to panic, if you gun the motor the water will all shift to one side and could swamp the boat. Put the boat on the trailer and let it drain for 30 minutes then went fishing. Sucked having wet carpet the rest of the day though.

[broken line]

I know I would forget to put the plug back in at the lake as well. My fix (has worked so far anyway) is, everytime I take it out at the launch, I hook the plug directly on to one of the rear boat buckle straps, then hook the strap to the boat and tighten. Next time out, I have to look at the plug when taking the strap off, thus a reminder to put plug back in...

[broken line]

I too would certainly forget to put the plug back in. My fix (that has worked so far anyway) has been to hook the drain plug directly to one of my rear boat buckle hooks and then attach to the boat.

Next time out, I have to look at the plug when taking the rear strap off, and thus a reminder to replace the plug at the same time.

[harvey lee]

Never

Very simple routine

I get out of the truck, release the transon straps, take off the transom saver and put the plug in. Then I screw the pipe for the livewell in inside the livewell box.

I have always done this even before it was a rule or law.

Not that tough.

Maybe put a liitle note in your boat, "did I put my plug in"

After 4-5 times I think one will remember.

[reinhard1]

harvey i have a note by my ignition key to put the plug in and i still forget at times but rarely. it is the very first thing i do. good luck.

[Fish Tales]

I did it twice this spring and it was time to try something different. I now put the plug on the transom saver wrap it through the strap that hooks on the saver. Unhook saver and plug is in my visual sight everytime.

[TruthWalleyes]

1st time since i've owned my boat in the last 3 years was last monday...Good thing my dad was around to say - Hey, did you put your plug in?

[TooTallTom]

Some good tips for reminding ourselves about putting the plugs back in.

But what I think we REALLY need is a sticker. Maybe something nice and bright in an arc that will look good around the hole in the transom. Obviously, it should come from the State, at no cost to anyone.

[Boss Hogg]

Hey Too Tall Tom: You hit it right out of the park. Why can't we get some politicians that are that smart???

[Sonicrunch]

I've always pulled the plug, and I still forget sometimes. It always happens at the beginning of the season.

[NELS-BELLS]

A few weeks ago, my son and I arrive at the lake only to find the plastic plug missing. It normally just hangs from the drain hole when not screwed in and must have somehow fallen out on the way to the lake.

Luckily the boat dealership, which was 25 minutes away and still open, had one left that would fit. Now I need to remember to get a spare one.

Nels

[TooTallTom]

Maybe spare one for in the boat, and a spare one for in the (usual) tow vehicle? I'm going to buy a couple extras this weekend too.

Also, you should probably see if you can get stickers from the State for both of them.

[jigginjerk]

The point isn't pulling the plug. I'm not saying it's a huge deal. Are you not getting the point that water is being transfer every time the plug is not put in? Yes, If everyone pulls the plug and puts it back in at the landing, Good plan, but how long and how much water is being tranfered until then? I do pull my plug and replace it every time I land my boat, it is a routine and it isn't a big deal. If your boat doen't take water on, what is the point? Not trying to make waves but whats next? Sealing up your trailer frames? Sorry for the rant but I guess I'm just getting tired of laws that don't make sense, IMO, when there are more important things that need to be addressed by our well paid law makers. Again thats just my opinion. Good fishing everyone!!