Bilge Plug

C

ckonon

New Member
Aug 22, 2011
8
MI
Boat Info
2011 Sea Ray Sport 185
Engines
4.3TKS w/ Alpha One
Hey everyone, I'm new to boating and we just bought a brand new 185 Sport last week and I have a question. Should I take the bilge plug out after use even if the bilge is free of any water? Is it ok to leave it in if there is no water to drain? Thanks!
 
It's always best to leave it out, if the boat will stay outside. If it's kept inside, then leave it in.
 
Lazy Daze said:
It's always best to leave it out, if the boat will stay outside. If it's kept inside, then leave it in.
Click to expand...
agreed...mine lives outside in the rain so I take it out....and carry spares in the toolbox :wink:
 
My plug is tied to an oil change drain line, so I don't like leaving it hanging out. But, my boat lives in the garage. I did learn to always pull the plug after being on the water, even if the bilge looks dry. Some water is usually lurking in there somewhere. I pull it first thing as part of getting the boat ready to trailer home so it has some time to drain. I park on a slight incline so the water drains out readily. I've learned to always walk around the boat and look at every darn tie down, connection, make sure the plug is back in, etc. before moving out. Don't worry, you'll screw up something at least a few times, so far it has only cost me 15 bucks for a new trailer light adapter for my truck.

My very first trip out this spring with my new boat I ended up helping a veteren boater at the ramp that forgot to put her plug in. Ugly scene. Steam everywhere - the water got to her engine, even with the bilge pump going full bore.

Congratulations on the new boat and welcome to the forum.
 
Last edited:
Mine is also attached to the crank oil drain hose. However, I leave it dangling until ready to splash the boat and remove it to drain any water as soon as the vehicle crests the top of the ramp. I keep a shiny crescent wrench in the car in the corner where the stern straps go. I do a walk around at the staging area at the ramp while the fam tosses everything in the boat. I don't let them touch the safety cables and straps. We have a system and the mechanicals are all mine.

1. Grab wrench
2. Disconnect lights
3. Verify winch is locked
4. Disconnect bow safety chain
5. Disconnect stern tie down straps
6. Install drain plug

Get in boat and set everything in place.
 
Kermit,

It would have been more correct for me to say my plug WAS connected to the oil drain line. Each time I took the plug out, the connections looked really crappy, like there was no swivel to allow the plug out without twisting the wires connecting to the oil drain. After two trips out, it broke off. A nice added project when oil change time comes.

Does yours swivel, or is it deteriorating as well?
 
My boatt is always stored inside so the plug is always in.
 
Dave 205 said:
Kermit,

It would have been more correct for me to say my plug WAS connected to the oil drain line. Each time I took the plug out, the connections looked really crappy, like there was no swivel to allow the plug out without twisting the wires connecting to the oil drain. After two trips out, it broke off. A nice added project when oil change time comes.

Does yours swivel, or is it deteriorating as well?
Click to expand...

Good question. I went outside and looked and, yes, there is a swivel at the plug for the drain line.
 
Thanks for all of the reply's everyone, I can already see what a help this forum is going to be. The boat will be in the garage when not in use with the engine hatch open to help dry out any water, so I think I will just leave it plugged unless I need to remove it. Thanks!
 
We had a scare Sunday the boat is indoor rack stored they always pull the plug and set it by the swim ladder got to the boat just as they put it in the water started taking the canvas off and noticed the drain plug sitting there ran up to tell them the plug was out only to find out they had put a new plug in it and didn't throw the old one away. Still not sure if I'm mad or happy about that scare.
 
Kermit said:
Good question. I went outside and looked and, yes, there is a swivel at the plug for the drain line.
Click to expand...

Thanks for checking. The PO must have hosed something up. Mine was attached by a mess of frayed wire.
 
From the outside in it's bilge plug - wire loop - 4 inches of cable - swivel yoke - tie wrap (not OEM I am guessing) - wire loop - oil drain plug
 
Anyone got a source online for a drain plug WITH the oil change lanyard on it? Mine has vanished - I've got a replacement plug in there for now, but need to get a new one with the lanyard for when I change the oil next. Haven't had any luck with my googling to this point.
 
It's a Merc part. Any Merc dealer can get it for you.
 
I recently purchased a 180BR, 2000. The drain plug does not have a lanyard. Would a 2000 have had a lanyard on the drain plug?
 
Gufinof said:
I recently purchased a 180BR, 2000. The drain plug does not have a lanyard. Would a 2000 have had a lanyard on the drain plug?
Click to expand...

Merc started offering that with the 2001 model year. Unless you have a very late model 2000 (that by the luck of the draw has it), you wouldn't have it. But it's easy enough to check by looking/feeling under your engine.
 
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