Boat drain plugs. What causes a boat drain plug to fail? You might have a rubber drain plug just like this for your Jon Boat drain plug. If so, are you using your small boat snap handle drain plug correctly? In this video I look at the Attwood brand Drain Plug - Snap Handle which is similar to other commonly found and used rubber drain plugs for small boats. How do you use the drain plug in your fishing boat?
Also in this video I test to see if a snap handle rubber drain plug easily falls out of my boat if the handle is flipped up and provide three simple steps to make sure that this type of drain plug can work well on your small boat. If you're a new boater or simply want to know a little more about boat drain plugs I hope you found this video informative and entertaining.
if you'd like to buy one on Amazon - amzn.to/3IOhBXA
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00:00 Introduction
00:08 Why this boat drain plug is called a Snap Handle Drain Plug
01:00 My first time using a snap handle drain plug for my small boat
01:54 How a snap handle drain plug works
02:20 Does a rubber snap handle drain plug go outside or inside a boat?
03:06 Does a rubber snap handle drain plug fall out if the handle is flipped up?
05:00 Three steps to using a rubber snap handle drain plug correctly on your boat
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Thanks Wayne! I always wondered the same thing if it should be inside or outside the boat! I did it inside because that's what the guy did before i bought it.... But with my set up on my boat it would be way easier for me to do it on the outside.
Just make sure you have it tight!
Oh believe me i do! But like the rest of these guys on here i also keep a spare plug in my cup holder in my boat near the back just in case. And i got a beluga pump that works great! worst case scenario!@@WayneTheBoatGuy
I'm glad you got that straightened out. Some boats, if they get swamped by a rouge wave, they can crank the boat up, get it going, remove the drain plug and the water will be drawn out. Impossible if the plug is on the outside of the boat.
Good point - especially if they don't have bilge pump!
I've personally done this.
Yes had a boat that had a few bad rivet would get it goin pull the plug when needed
I can't get to my plug from the inside
Iv always carried a extra one in my boat. Never had to use it but it there.
Years ago I had a boat that used one of those drain plugs (many great memories) we did use that plug on the inside of the boat and that way we could drain the boat as it ran. We were always snorkeling and water manages to get in.. Great video
I've never tightened my small boat drain plug. I didn't know it could be tightened. It's been installed for 50 years. Lately it started to leak. Thanks, you saved me $10.
The Classic Boston Whalers ALWAYS had the drain plugs on the inside of the boat. If water got into the boat, the drain plug could be pulled and if the boat was run at even a fast idle speed the water would drain out of the boat. I always put the drain plug on the inside of john boats for the same reason. If a boat does not have a bilge pump I think the drain plug should always be on the inside.
I've learned a lot from you Wayne, thank you. I've had my 22ft fishing boat for a little more than a year, and was pretty clueless when I got it. I'm less clueless now thanks to making dumb mistakes and watching your videos. I'm over here in Phuket, Thailand (originally from Washington State), having fun boating and spearfishing. Thank God for youtube :)
great segment Wayne. I had never thought about which side it goes into, i always put it in the inside. last time i used one was on my old jon boat over 20 years ago. thanks for the refresher and great tip about the fishing line.
Thanks!
This video is very helpful - especially for those who don't think at all. Thanks, Wayne.
Good video. Sometimes its the simplest things that get overlooked or misunderstood.I have used the T handle type and snap type. Never had any issues using either style or orientation. Great explanations with out any criticism or condemnation for those of us who are forever learning. Thanks for taking the time to explain
You're welcome - and I am also forever learning too!
Another great video Wayne!😊 Thanks !
Wow! Thanks for the info! Since my drain plug is not new, I never would've guessed to twist it first. Thanks Wayne. Luv the videos.
Thanks for the kind words!
Been watching since day one, just want to say that the production value is getting so good! Split screens, cuts, camera follows. All good stuff. And content is good as well. Good job sir! Thank you for the great videos.
Much appreciated! And I'm glad you notice!
Your vid is very helpful to newbie boaters, always carry a spare easy to get to, I prefer inside so I can get to it easier, some you can't & have to be outside, we all have to learn, but some people shouldn't own boats if they don't know understand simple basics, you seem to touch on these points !
Thank you!
Totally just taught me something new. Thanks!
Glad to hear it!
The plug also allows you to drain water out of the boat while under way so inside is easier to access although I've used it as a drain when it was outside too.
bro get a pump for that lol.
I did! That was years ago on my 16’ MFG.
I forgot about that twist thank you
Great video !
thank you!!
For me the plug placement depends on what boat I’m using. I have one boat that has a battery, bilge pump & live well pump in a small area making it necessary to use the plug outside of the transom. For most others I’ll use it inside & it makes for easy water drainage once underway . Pro tip , always carry a spare drain plug for yourself or a fellow boater. Be mindful of over tightening a expansion plug in a plastic through hull fitting. In time it will cause the fitting to split & leak. I always release the pressure on the plug when I’m off the water.
Good tip!!!
My plug is out as soon as it comes out of the water and left out until I'm ready to launch again. That's what the dept of natural resources wants us to do for the invasive species problem anyway. I usually put the plug inside, so it can drain under way, never a problem.
I always put mine on the inside of my boat just because I fear something will catch it and rip it out. Just been a habit I have always had. But now I know better lol. Good video and hypothesis testing lol.
I'm just waiting for someone to share their horror story about it getting ripped out!
You know better than what?
@@leelafarlett3535 that it doesn’t matter if it’s inside or outside.
Outboard tilt lock and release would be a good topic for a video.
Thanks a lot. I did not know that.
I use to have mine on the outside, until kids (?), came swimming by one night and took out my drain plug. Now it stays on the inside. My boat wasn’t the only one vandalized that night.
That’s a very good argument for inside!
40+ years on the water and I've owned several boats in my life. I commented on the last vid talking about this and I guess it went un-read by most. If you Put your drain plug on the outside of the boat and the plug comes loose, you are running a dangerous risk of sinking your boat. If it comes off inside the boat, you simply replace the plug, bail out a bit of water and you are fine. With the plug inside the boat, the plug doesn't have any force applied to anything other than the water attempting to get in. And as this gentalman stated, if you twist it to tighten before you lock it down you won't have a problem. BUT, IF IT DOES, you will fumble far less and will be able to correct the problem from a safe place IF it were to become unplugged from INSIDE the boat. Don't believe me? then put the plug on the outside of the boat, put the boat int he water, and reach back and jerk the plug out and wait 20 or so seconds before you attempt to reach around and re-plug the boat while its in the water. Yeah, I can promiss that'll be the last time you ever put a plug on the outside of the hull ever again. The 20 second delay for this test is to account for the time it takes you to realize you are taking on water. In reality, it might be as much as a minute or more before you realize you have a serious problem. Be Safe, and put the plug on the inside of your boat. In almost 45 years of being on the water, I've never seen this done much less had anyone argue that the plug would be ''just fine'' on the outside of the boat. If you read this far I hope you heed my warning and hope this helps you out. Always, be safe people.
100 percent.
That was a lot of reading about something pretty much everybody knows.
This plug goes inside the boat. You can pull it out while underway to drain water from the boat, if needed.
So speaking from experience, had a old aluminum boat that had a screw in plug that you put in from outside. However, with the vibration of the motor, it would loosen up and start leaking. 1 day it came completely out. Switched to using this same style and put it inside and never had an issue.
Great video
Thanks!
Lived on the water all my life. On a small Runabout aluminum boats, we always put them on the inside. That way if you had water in it when you got on plane you just popped the plug out and it would let the water drain out, no bailing.
Thing to consider is temperture, put in, its cold and it shrinks, not to mention on the inside I have access to remove and let water out when under way.
Very good points! Our water is cold right now - it might be a fun test to see how much it changes.
Like the instrumental.
Was taught that the plug goes inside so you can drain the boat while on the lake get the boat going and pull the plug but put it back before slowing down because the water will flood the boat quick if you don't
I’ve used both types inside and out side the hull , with my current boat I don’t have the option of running them (2). Outside, and because of that I run the T handle type now , and always have a couple extras on board .
They can go either way. I have needed to remove them several times over the years. Always been easier on the inside. Have had to go overboard to pull it out twice though and it saved me. One time got swamped by a wave another from a broke through hull fitting. On the first one it helped get the water out faster than just my bilge, on second it offset the broke fitting issue, enough for my pump to get me to shore, where I could fix it.
I always carry a spare that is easy to grab and jump in the water with if I need to replace one that fell out. Haven't had to do that... yet.
Also use a line that floats to secure the plug and clean the drain hole to remove dirt and debris prior to installing the plug.
Grate boat plug
I recommend always putting the plug in from the inside unless the hull is designed in such a way that prevents access to the plug from the inside. If you plug it from the inside you will notice problems earlier, and the safety line tied to the plug is a great idea.
My aluminum runabout has a storage area in back so getting to the inside of the plug is prohibitive. I have a 1/4" line tied to handle and stern bracket. Pretwist line so untwists as plug is tightened. Then close handle.
I have a new one to replace the one inside our engine room to the back bulkhead in our 1986 Chris Craft 381. There is no exterior drains on the boat, just 4 bilge pumps (fwd, engine room, backup/high water, and a rear pump).
always on the outside because of convenience if you have taller boat or on mine in back i have aluminum built up so no water can ever get in and i have a deep v. so i would have to open the compartment and reach inside a hole and put it in from inside and that is a pain. i just use the t ones because i have heard of people putting these in wrong and them coming out and them taking in a lot of water fast and i commercial fish so my boat gets max loaded i would hate to take on water but i realized also deep vs with splash guards take a lot of water to sink. when i took out old live wells i didnt silicone them at first one hose fell to bottom when i was getting fish one day leaked in boat for 3 hours and i had like 500 lbs of catfish and the water in tank to keep them alive.. drove back to ramp could barely go 9 mph and boat was basically flooded with water lol. i love deep v for that reason. and no one should listen to people saying take your drain plug out underway.. get a damn pump and do it manually or have a bilge pump... most boats you cant let go of steering on full throttle go in back and take out plug.... wtf
Ok, so that was weird…I literally was just having a drain plug discussion last night with a friend who picked up an extra at Walmart….the t-handle vs the flip or snap handle…Thanks for the info 👋🏻
lol - nice!
I use mine on the inside of the boat and also have a spare with me. I have always put it on the inside because I have that fear of it getting snagged and popping out i also make sure it’s tight. I also have a 1500gph bilge pump in the back for emergency purposes
I know tools, all kinds of tools, drain plugs are no exception. This type of plug reminds me of a oil drain plug for car/truck. I would never use that type with the "O" handle to plug outside of the boat on the lower part of the transom. Too easy for the handle to get caught on something and pull it out. I always use the type with the "T" handle on it then with an attached chain to some part of the upper transom. With an attached chain makes it easier to not forget to put it in. I always carry an extra.
I've always installed it on the inside. I do use a lanyard so it doesn't go too far from the hole. I guess it's a case of to each his own
They can disappear if not attached!
I doctor my plug up with Vaseline. Seems to help as a water stop. Also good if your plug has aged and restores the rubber.
I always put my plug inside on my small boats. My large boats have a treaded plug on the outside. Never had a problem with either.
if you have a leaky boat, plug from the inside so you can pull it out and run the water out at speed. I used to do this in a flooded 14ft tinner in the early years. Pulling it on the ramp in a pain if inside however...
I just put it in and flip it. Never twist to tighten. Never had a problem. Will start twisting. Only can help.
I used this plug, on outside of boat. I never noticed the hole for the line I'll have to take a closer look. I had tied a string thru the big loop but was afraid of water or something else catching the string and pulling the handle open so I took it off. Knowing I could possibly lose the plug I then decided keep an extra plug on the boat that I could grab in a pinch and jump in the water and put in.
You can also over tighten those plugs and break the tab off the end.
I place it on the inside. Matter of fact of the boat is moving it creates outward suction . Requires two people but the plug can be removed to flush out the boat underway. A semi- swamped boat can be drained this way. Done it a few times.
Install it from the inside and tether it to something inside so it will never become misplaced or accidentally removed. AND, if it rains while you're on the water, you can most easily pull the plug while on plane and drain the rain.
Wow, I hate to say it, but I've been doing it wrong for a along while Thanks WtBG, I'm a inside plug captain, the reason for this is the boat will self bale itself. While you are running at a decent speed, pull the plug out and the water will drain out. But put it back in before you get back at the dock.
Turning it tight is key!
I use a ring from my car key ring. Then I use a bathroom bead chain from the bath tub plug and secure it around the center bar at the back on my small fourteen foot open boat. On my fifteen foot R15 legend boat the plug has to be inserted from the outside before launching the boat. I have a piece of 500 lb paracord to hold it to the rear handles just in case. Always carry a couple of wine corks just in case something ever goes wrong .
Wine corks - good tip!!
If I can put the plug on the inside, I use a flip style on the inside. If I can only insert it from the outside I use the little T-handle one, that way a stick or something can’t grab it and pull it out, thereby sinking me.
My little boat came with it installed on the inside and a line attached. So I went with it. I also placed a second plug, zip tied to the transome. I am .... that kind of guy.
That must be a fancy boat! I like that they did that.
I've always put my drain plugs on the inside if at all possible. If the boat starts taking on a little water you crank it up, run it, take the plug out and drain the water out.
I use mine on the inside of the boat, but I add a foam keychain to the handle in case it falls in the water so it'll float. or i tether it to the boat using some neon orange paracord.
It has always been inside for me. Use the "T" tightened plug and have the flip down handle as a spare.
I have never had a problem with drain plugs..... LOL Mini pontoon boats don't have em. ha ha ha great video tho, I actually learned something. thanks!
Thanks for watching!
Works great I use it on my 17 ft lund fisherman I put it on the inside of my boat I never had a problem with it
On my Lowe boat the drain pipe is flared on the inside and has a chain on it. That tells me that it was designed for the plug to be used on the inside and the fact that the chain is to short the reach over the transom to be installed outside.
@@russellstewart5414 same thing with my lund 🚢 boat
On my 16 foot bass boat it is on the outside because it is hard to get to underneath a small deck in the back of the boat. On my 14/36 john boat I put it inside where I can drain any water out of the boat that happens to be there when the boat is underway and planed out!
I have a 72 fiberglass trihull. That plug is probably the only part of my boat that doesn't leak. My boat came with one, but I bought a brand new one and keep the old one as a spare onboard. Before I bought a bilge pump last summer I'd take on so much water that the back end would almost dip into the lake on a tight turn. If you have a leaky boat you should really get a bilge pump and deep cycle battery. You'll save the money in gas eventually by not hauling around hundreds of pounds of water and you might even save yourself from sinking. Also patch the holes that you can see with some marine epoxy. Old boats are sweet!
😂
I have used on inside for 50 years and never seen a drop of water. I always keep it tight and have a spare on hand. Aside from that I can swim very well.
My father had 22ft thunderbird cabin cruiser, and the drain plug was always inside and underneath the engine!
Would have a few extra plugs, and use a safety line to the boat. Also a 1/4 turn valve inside the boat for emergency. Thanks
This is interesting, and i suspect it is location dependant. Growing up on the ocean a few states above you, i can say that drain plugs were always placed on the inside of the boat. Having one on the outside was a sure-fire way to identify an amateur. The reason is that if you had to get to the plug to drain the boat while underway, you dont ever want to be hanging over the transom. It also increased your chances of the plug falling into the ocean while removing it. Always on the inside, never the outside.
I bet most people around me put it on the inside as well. But some built out Jon Boats and Jon Boat Bass Boats seem to have very challenging access on the inside.
my one boat has 2 drain plug holes and the way its made the both have to be on the outside
Inside, where you can keep an eye on it. I have an extra one I keep in the boat, Tighten and flip to the side.
Ive always put inside. I think it depends on accessibility
There are a lot of boats that there is no way to access the drain from inside. The world isn't limited to 14' open aluminum boats. Use the screw-type from the outside.
My little Starcraft V hull has it chained to the inside of boat from factory
Nice!
Almost every boater has forgotten to install the drain plug before launching. Here's a cool tip: put a snap ring on your boat's ignition key ring and keep the drain plug snapped to the key ring when the boat is out of the water. You will never again put the keys in the ignition without the plug in the drain hole. Also: keep a spare drain plug on your boat so you have a backup if you ever drop the other plug in the water and lose it.
That’s a good one! When I had my big boat (which had keys) I would keep my drain plug with the key when it was on the hard.
i used to out mine in from the inside!!!
My boat doesn’t have easy access to the drain hole from the inside because of engine bay so I run plug on outside with handle flipped up so it doesn’t snag anything. I carry an extra inside the boat for emergency. If I were to lose the plug I could use the extra to re-plug from the outside or get into the engine compartment and plug from inside in an emergency. Never have had the plug fail….
Man doh mannnnnnn………. I think I was twelve years old when I first figured this one out but one thing caught me off guard once was when I took three cousins fishing and they wanted to be a little too much help in preparing to launch the boat. I didn’t double check to see if he put the plug in correctly and after launching the boat and parking the car and going back to the dock to board the boat, they were already inside the boat and sinking fast. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Always inside , if it's outside it may fall to the bottom if removed under way to remove water from the boat. You can't run the boat and remove it if it's outside
I don't put it outside because if it gets dislodged for any reason it'll be history and you'll loose it and you better be close to the dock or have a spare. Water pressure between inside and outside is completely dependent on how deep your boat draft is, physics 101. And I'm sure anyone watching this channel has a trailer boat, less than a foot of draft so pressure is extremely small.
All of my deeper draft boats have had brass screw-in drain plugs that install from the outside.
What do you mean outside, if it is outside you can not reach it with the outboard in the way.
My Harbercraft 12' aluminum V hull only allows me to insert the plug from the inside.
Yeah some boats seem to be set up for that - or the opposite.
And there’s the double plug option. One outside one inside. Kind of a two is really one thing.
I'm glad you explained the tightening of the plug so people don't make a mistake. I have it on the inside of my tracker so it never snags and I never have to remember it. I never would've put it inside without this feature.
I have a tracker boat that you cannot put it on the inside because I have an onboard gas tank ! it works just fine! I’ve never had a leak.
Inside the boat! If water gets in the boat from any number of things, it can be pulled, the motor can go full out and the water will leave through the drain hole. Put it back in and you're good to go.
A fast idle will let the water drain just fine.
It all depends on how bad your boat leaks. If it leaks and you need to drain the boat, keep it on the inside of the boat.
Connect a small cable or chain to it and to the transom so you dont loose it
I use it inside of the boat and it work fine
When I was a kid (50 years ago), plugs would come with a chain to tie it down. It would be riveted into that hole.
Doesn't matter. I do inside. In fact, it's a different size on my alumicraft, inside vs outside. I always keep a spare onboard. I did however, forgot to put it in once.
Use on the inside and no, it will not fall out. Used one for long time before the rubber got too dried out.
I’ve always installed drain plugs on the inside.
And I carry a spare plug just in case, and I don’t lean over the transom to install the spare!
Yeah I wore one out recently and that's why I have that new one - to be the spare!
How R U going to drain rqainwater or sea spray if it's outside? Ya take it oput then quickly get onto the plane to drain the dinghy...jeeez to I really have to explain this
I have a rubber one that just plugs the hole
Is it just a rubber stopper with no T handle or loop handle?
Yep, just a rubber cone
I had my boat fill up with water twice because the hook got caught in twigs in around shore and when my boat went to pull away from shore the tree twigs that were rooted either in a tree or in ground pulled my plug completely off eventually filling my boat with water. Believe me there's a reason they make the other plug with little t turn 6:40 me
And I had the plug turned title but it still came out. I always put my plugs inside boat now I take no chances.
Yeah it sounds like your waters and your boat definitely call for it on the inside!
I was taught it goes on the inside would never consider the outside
I'm sorry I just thought it was common sense on how these things work. The first time I ever seen one more than 40 years ago I figured that out the first time. I'm not trying to sound like I know it all I just thought it was like I said common sense and of course on the inside of the transom.
One of the things I have learned over the years is that what is common sense to one person sometimes is a lightbulb moment to another.
@WayneTheBoatGuy Yeah I guess you are correct. Some people's catch on to certain things in their junior year of high school and it takes other people until they are in the 40s or 50s to catch on . I don't know why it does , but I get it . Take care and be safe.
@@n40tom Some of the smartest people may not catch on to simple things at first.
Ha. Been boating for 50 years. Never really thought about it, and I’m in the minority here I guess, I’ve never used it on the inside. My current boat would require a contortionist to install on the inside. Just too low, small and deep.
If you're boat is moving fast enough you can pull out the plug and water will go out as long as you're moving fast
That’s why you put the plug on the inside in case you have a leak you can drain the boat
No. It goes inside the boat. So once on plain you can remove it and be self bailing.
SERIOUSLY... TWIST THEN FLIP ?!!!!! 1977 my brother was always concerned it would pop out (who knew to twist first ????) and had it on the outside with a line attached.... beaching it he must have snagged the line and popped it out (AGAIN, WHO KNEW TO TWIST FIRST)... luckily it was on a beach but still sank the back part of a new bass boat... thank goodness someone alerted him before it really SANK.....
Glad I am not the only one who didn't know to twist it first!
Maybe a bit off color But You pulling that rope attached to the plug Reminded me of the Dumber and Dumber 2 CATHETER scene LOL
My thought is inside so you can see it once in the water.
My boat has the plug chained to the inside.. from the factory.