226/228 owners - do you pull the plug?

[luckydude]

I've been pulling the plug after each trip, nothing ever comes out (new 2020 228). I don't know if that is because the bilge pump does its job or if it is because nothing gets in the bilge. My previous boat the bilge pump didn't get all the water so pulling the plug had a point.

So are 228's just dry in the bilge or is the pump so close to the bottom it gets all the water or is it magic?

 

[magicalbill]

You have a dry Grady; probably 75% workmanship, 25% magic.

Check it from time-to-time, especially after it gets rained on significantly. Or at the ramp if you took some of the Pacific over the bow on a rough day.

You probably do this, but re-install the plug immediately after you pull it. The ramifications of not doing so are needless to go into. Remember when you do pull the plug, taste the outflow, if any, to determine if it's fresh or saltwater. This obviously helps you determine the source of any leak. (EX: some freshwater in the bilge after 3 inches of rain is not an immediate cause for alarm. If it's saltwater; keep an eye on it.)

Another advantage to a dry bilge is that you know something is amiss or has changed if you start getting water later on. Leaks are harder to catch if the boat is wet from it's inception.

Glad she's dry.

 

[leeccoll]

Seriously its a good habit to pull it everytime.

Unlike magicalbill I always leave it out until I am ready to launch. I like the air getting in the bilge n coffins to keep it all as dry as possible.

I don't have a full cover, and when it rains water gets into the bilge from stanchions, etc. from its age.

 

[Seafarer_Bob]

The only way I get any water out of mine is if I pull the plug when it's on the ramp, otherwise the water settles toward the bow. I keep a wrench in the console of my truck and it's the first and last thing I do after retrieving and before launching.

 

[Divajean]

The only way I get any water out of mine is if I pull the plug when it's on the ramp, otherwise the water settles toward the bow. I keep a wrench in the console of my truck and it's the first and last thing I do after retrieving and before launching.

I pull the plug while on trailer,older boat gets a little rainwater from somewhere but she stays dry on the water,took my live well out to see it until I get more comfortable with my boat

 

[wrxhoon]

I pull the plug off as soon as I get the boat out of the water and leave it off . I wash the boat with it off when I finish washing it I put the plug back in pull the floor plates off and run freshwater on the top of the tank to rinse off at the same time i run the freshwater to empty the tank. When the bilge gets enough water the bilge pump goes on , that way I know it works . I fill the freshwater tank ready with fresh water for next time, you never know some day we may have to drink this water. We always take bottled water with us it is law here to have 2 lts per person on the boat.
I pull the plug out again and stays off until I use the boat again. Next time I use the boat the plug goes back when I hook it up on the truck and the strap goes on too. Finally before the boat goes in the water we check the plug to make sure it is there.
Have I ever forgotten ? Of course I have more than once in my boating life . As I back the trailer in the water and stop to undo the winch chain and strap, if the plug is not in I will see the bilge pump go on take the trailer out and put it in. It helps that the driver is on the right side in the tow vehicle same as the bilge pump outlet on the boat and you even see the water in the mirror..
I don't need a tool to do the plug up, I have drilled a hole on the square part of the plug and fitted a S/S wire through it bent it 90 degrees on both ends so it stays there.
I park the boat with the front much higher than the rear so water doesn't stay in the bilge. The bilge pump will never pump all the water out .

 

[Pighunter]

I've always pulled plug on all my boats and have always had water come out. My 228 on the other hand has never had anything drain out. the other day I was in the pacific for 6 hours not one drop came out after pulling the plug, not bad for a 21 year old boat.

 

[seasick]

On one of my boats, the anchor locker drains to a hull fitting. On my other boat, the anchor locker drains into the bilge. Rain water does leak into the anchor locker lid at times but more importantly, depending on how often I anchor on an outing and how much line I use, makes a big difference in how much water the line soaks up. That water has to go somewhere.
For the record, the anchor locker that drains to a hull fitting works OK until it gets plugged. If I don't check every now and then, rain water can overfill the locker and that ends up in the cabin!

 

[Doc Stressor]

Pull the bilge pump access port on the cabin floor and check there. Water drains forward even on a trail with the stem raised as far as the jack will go. It takes a lot of water to activate the forward bilge pump since it's mounted quite high. My rear bilge is always dry, but I need to occasionally use a 12V pump to drain the forward bilge area. I've taken out over 6 gallons that could not be removed by the bilge pump.

 

[Divajean]

Pull the bilge pump access port on the cabin floor and check there. Water drains forward even on a trail with the stem raised as far as the jack will go. It takes a lot of water to activate the forward bilge pump since it's mounted quite high. My rear bilge is always dry, but I need to occasionally use a 12V pump to drain the forward bilge area. I've taken out over 6 gallons that could not be removed by the bilge pump.

Good to know doc,always have a little water in the front bilge,thought I might have a drainage problem

 

[magicalbill]

Going back to square one here.

Lucky:

If you pull the plug and leave it out, as others here do, just make SURE you remember to re-install it.

Leaving it out didn't work for me. (Don't ask.) There is too much personal hullabaloo at the launch ramp as I ready everything for dropping the boat in, and I'm susceptible to forgetting the plug. The results that follow are familiar to all of us.

You do not want to find out firsthand how deep it is under the Golden Gate...

 

[ScottyCee]

I ran my 226 for four years and I swear the bilge pump never turned on. That was the driest boat I’ve never seen.

 

[Pighunter]

Going back to square one here.

Lucky:

If you pull the plug and leave it out, as others here do, just make SURE you remember to re-install it.

Leaving it out didn't work for me. (Don't ask.) There is too much personal hullabaloo at the launch ramp as I ready everything for dropping the boat in, and I'm susceptible to forgetting the plug. The results that follow are familiar to all of us.

You do not want to find out firsthand how deep it is under the Golden Gate...

I have a rule I never unhook my stern straps until I install the plug that's my safety net.

 

[leeccoll]

I left my plug out while launching one time, it didn't take more than a minutes time to kick on the bilge. Of course scared the crap outta me since I had no experience with this.
Got the boat back on the trailer and let it drain. Lot's of nerves, but in reality IF the plug is out, you will find out before you get in trouble.
I keep a wrench in the back door storage pocket, and just make it a habit to attend to the plug first.
Safe boating~

 

[luckydude]

Going back to square one here.

Lucky:

If you pull the plug and leave it out, as others here do, just make SURE you remember to re-install it.

Leaving it out didn't work for me. (Don't ask.) There is too much personal hullabaloo at the launch ramp as I ready everything for dropping the boat in, and I'm susceptible to forgetting the plug. The results that follow are familiar to all of us.

You do not want to find out firsthand how deep it is under the Golden Gate...

I always pull into the harbor lot and stage the rig somewhere. Get a battery on, get the main engine off the little swivel thingy it sits on, bumpers out, rods in holders, electronic covers off, lead rope to the truck, 2 safety hooks off the eye, put the plug in, rear straps off, launch.

Docking is pretty much the same thing in reverse.

At this point I'd have to retrain myself to not do the plug.

The main thing I wanted to know is if the pump gets all the water. Seems like it does not so if I'm dry when I pull, I'm dry. I might get a drop or 3 out of there but there is never a stream.

BTW, for all you folks talking about the forward bilge, I use a tractor and tilt boat up enough that it is easy to wash and everything drains out to the back. I'm guessing that would drain the forward bilge to the back.

Rain? What is this thing called rain that you speak of?

 

[mjm1957]

I have a 1999 228 G that is wet slipped from june til november. I pull it out and pull the plug and nothing ever comes out. The driest boat we have ever had.The only time the forward bilge pump comes on is when its home and on the trailer and i wash the anchor locker and anchor line.The best boat we have ever had and we have had a few.

 

[wrxhoon]

I left my plug out while launching one time, it didn't take more than a minutes time to kick on the bilge. Of course scared the crap outta me since I had no experience with this.
Got the boat back on the trailer and let it drain. Lot's of nerves, but in reality IF the plug is out, you will find out before you get in trouble.
I keep a wrench in the back door storage pocket, and just make it a habit to attend to the plug first.
Safe boating~

No need to panic Lee, the water will only come in while you either stopped or moving very slow. If you didn't realise the plug wasn't in you could drive for hours , all the water from the bilge would drain out , if you stop she will start filling up. American built boats use small plugs, Aussie built boats use much bigger plugs so the boat fills quicker.
In my younger days I forgot the plug drove about 30 miles out to sea stopped and started fishing and a little later I saw water on the floor ( no auto bilge pump back then) , I put the pump on started the engine got going to empty the bilge, stopped the boat dived in and put the plug in. These days with auto pumps you find out very quick.

 

[leeccoll]

That's good info Jerry, I never considered that.

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

two things.

I always pull the plug and over the winter I will pop the hatches to let the boat breathe .

my 08 is dry as well. She has been in Lake Fontana for a month and I am pulling her out next week. it's a covered slip and the bilge will likely be dry.

pull your plug and always have a spare on the boat and one in the tow vehicle. otherwise you will be that guy at the ramp . lol

 

[mr_mbuna]

Always pull the plug and leave it out if your boat is being stored outdoors. My parents incurred over $4,000 in damage to their Pursuit when it filled with rainwater over the course of a year on the trailer with the plug in.