Northwest Fishing Reports

After launching the boat in the water, it will leak several cups of water or more through the plug base then stop. Water specifically comes inside the boat from a specific spot at the plug area every time. I recall looking at it and when it get tightened it does so at a slight angle because of the way the circle for the plug is made with two layers of aluminum. How would I go about fixed this issue. Attached are image from top and bottom of boat. I'll try to get an image with the plug removed.

That's the weirdest drain plug "bung", and location, I've ever seen.

That is exactly what I was thinking. Knokck it clean off the bottom, weld a patch in place and put a tube in the stern. All I have to say is wow, it looks like the boats been around for a while, I can't believe it doesn't leak a lot worse, looking a the placement how far the plug sticks through and how beat up the guard is.

I find it weird also, but more so interesting. Reminds me of my dad's thermos that had a cork stopper. A couple of ideas come to mind: 1. Do as Bodo suggests OR if your looking for a $10 fix> 2. use a smooth sided plug instead of ribbed
An additional thought comes to mind, if the gasket between the bottom protecting plate and the hull is leaking, it may pass by the sealed area of the plug, possibly until the gasket material absorbs some water and swells. Obviously, I don't know what that gasket material is from my living room waiting for my trout to finish smoking at 2:30 in the morning. LOL Fill in the U shaped area with silicone, after cleaning the dirt out and allowing to dry, fill it right up to the plug hole. If you have trouble finding a smooth sided plug at a marine store, try an auto parts store. They sometimes have those rinky rubber plugs designed for freeze plug replacements. I repaired an aluminum canoe that had a huge gash in it with silicone and duct tape as a kid, lasted 3 to 4 years before I had to do it again.
I gotta ask! Was this boat built in the 50s? I'd like to see a picture of the whole boat!

I would like to see a picture of the sealing area with the plug removed. That would help with any recommendation I might make, although using a smooth sided plug may help.

Also if your drain plugs are old check and see if they may have cracks in em

hewesfisher wrote:I would like to see a picture of the sealing area with the plug removed. That would help with any recommendation I might make, although using a smooth sided plug may help.

That seal lip just doesn't look that long enough for a standard ribbed plug. I'm curious about the seal of the bunghole plate to the hull.
LOL Just came to me, find an old cork plug that fits, gently bang it into the bunghole with a hammer! LOL CARRY a spare while under way!!!!!!! You can carry the spare cork in a full wine bottle so you can have some fun while bailing out the boat. LOL Just having fun........... Looking forward to hearing how it all worked out and a picture of the boat, gotta be from the 50s, I love old stuff.

As short as that bung is, maybe it's supposed to have a screw in plug?

That is a typical location for the older boats. Mine is a '56 and I have the same thing. The only difference is that I have the original THREADED plug in mine. I never take it out as I am afraid that it would leak. I just depend on my pump.

Augwen wrote:That is a typical location for the older boats. Mine is a '56 and I have the same thing. The only difference is that I have the original THREADED plug in mine. I never take it out as I am afraid that it would leak. I just depend on my pump.

Mystery solved! Thanks! Threaded plug...........

Bodofish wrote:That is exactly what I was thinking. Knokck it clean off the bottom, weld a patch in place and put a tube in the stern. All I have to say is wow, it looks like the boats been around for a while, I can't believe it doesn't leak a lot worse, looking a the placement how far the plug sticks through and how beat up the guard is.

It used to leak a lot, but spend couple hours to hammer in each and every rivet that we had access to which was about 99 percent of all rivets.

Augwen wrote:That is a typical location for the older boats. Mine is a '56 and I have the same thing. The only difference is that I have the original THREADED plug in mine. I never take it out as I am afraid that it would leak. I just depend on my pump.

Now that I look at it, mine is supposed to be threaded too, that would explain why it leaks. Where could I find a threaded plug, outboard store, lowes, ect?

You need to determine the size and the thread count. My boat is a Crestliner and it has a 1" plug with coarse thread. But as I have my original I did not need another one so I have never looked. It could very well be a standard type plug if your boat was made in America, they would have used a readily available plug. What brand of boat is it? And what year?

It's a Crestliner, not sure the year but its old. Probably similar year to yours since it has that type of plug. Found some plugs on ebay that are only 1/2" I need a 1" plug.

Why not check out the local hardware store and try a pipe plug? Maybe-maybe not. Worth a try. Even tow the boat to the store and they'll probably let you carry a plug out to try. Use brass if they have one, & get an extra. And then use thread sealer also after you buy the plug.

Kfedka...you should go to "retrocrestliner.com" and check out the catalogs to see if you can find out what your boat is and what year. Mine is a 1956 Voyager. I also have a 1961 Flying Crest 17 that I am currently restoring. They have a lot of info about Crestliners. You might even find the original plug. A pipe plug would be galvanized material and might create a electrolisis problem if you use a battery. If you could find a stainless plug that would be better. Mine is actually the real old aluminum. A Brass one would work as mentioned above. Good Luck!!