plugs for drain holes/dirt dauber

[Wolfpacker]

Hi, I need some help. Is there something made that will fit into the drain outlet holes. Not sure of the terminology, but I am referring to the holes like the ones where the bilge water is pumped out. We just returned from a two week trip and dirt or mud daubers had stopped up the key hole to my lawn mower. The stuff mud and nests any any hole.
I would like to have something I could plug all the holes on the boat with.
What do you use, if you have these active little rascals?

 

[Groucho]

We have to plug ours up or face a 250.00 fine for pollution each drain on Lake George...:smt013

Plain old white silicone from the hardware store will do the job, never saw anything else to use...

 

[Larry&Leisa]

brillo pads?

 

[240da]

I suggest you put a little blue painter's tape over the holes.

 

[Wolfpacker]

Wow, sometimes, I over think it. I have rolls of that tape and different sizes. SO simple.
I feel so stupid, but that's why I asked. I figured some one had a good answer.

 

[NautyDog]

We have to plug ours up or face a 250.00 fine for pollution each drain on Lake George...:smt013

Plain old white silicone from the hardware store will do the job, never saw anything else to use...

Even for the bilge? Sounds a little too permanent for what he needs.

As for tape, I would think that might come off with rain, heat, wind, etc. Good duct tape might work, but then it would leave a gummy residue.

If tape didn't work, I'd think you might want to try the "ear plug" approach, which is some foam that you could twist to a small size, and put it in, and then it would expand to fill the hole. Like an earplug, the expansion would provide some force to keep it in, but it would be easily removed.

Another half-baked idea would be large suction cups that would cover the hole. The sell big ones at West Marine and other places.

 

[Groucho]

No not for the bilge...any drain from a faucet,fridge,or sink has to be plugged. Not really permanent since it just falls out by itself after awhile. Have to check it every once in awhile.

 

[bw76273]

What about cuttting a piece of green Scotchbrite pad? It would still allow some air movement and allow some water to drain if needed. Its cheap, wont rust, and if you forget to remove it the bilge pump would probably force it out if it is not packed too tight. It will scratch so watch the chrome and don't use the Admiral's scissors.:lol:

 

[Wolfpacker]

Many good ideas here. I think I'll try the tape first. If it doesn't work I'll probably go with some type of brillo pad with a string attached so I can pull it out and not keep pushing it in. I could leave some sticking out, but just in case some one else pushed it too far in the string would simplify things.
Good discussion, thanks.

 

[H2ONUT]

with a string attached so I can pull it out and not keep pushing it in.

:huh::huh:

 

[Lazy Daze]

Many good ideas here. I think I'll try the tape first. If it doesn't work I'll probably go with some type of brillo pad with a string attached so I can pull it out and not keep pushing it in. I could leave some sticking out, but just in case some one else pushed it too far in the string would simplify things.
Good discussion, thanks.

If you end up looking for something a little more durable for those thru-hulls, you can use expanding rubber plugs. Have you ever had a small skiff/John boat? They usually use a rubber drain plug (instead of a screw-in brass) that fits in and then you either turn a T-handle or flip down a handle to expand the plug. They come in different sizes. For bigger thru-hulls, most hardware stores carry something similiar - but will also have it in larger sizes.

Try one first, though. With the inside/outer edge of the thru-hull being rounded, the plug might slip out. Depends on the type of plug you get and how far in the plug goes.

Similar to this: http://www.plasticoid.com/Expansion...tsid=yahooppc&utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=ppc