Drain Plugs

I am currently building a 16 1/2 Tatman. Where is the best place to drill a hole for a drain plug?
Are there any special methods in doing so?

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Permalink Reply by Scott Snyder on June 30, 2009 at 12:52pm
Mine is behind the rowers seat to the far left. Seems to do a good job of draining when I get the boat on the trailer onto level ground.

Scott
Permalink Reply by Steve Sobba on June 30, 2009 at 2:27pm
Chad , My plans call for one in the middle and or one in the bay in front of the transom. I have not drilled mine yet, but plan on the transom location only. Steve
Permalink Reply by Dave Z on June 30, 2009 at 8:45pm
I'd avoid putting one in the rear of a drift boat near the transom. When you load onto a trailer, the water goes to right in front of the rower seat.

I put mine to the left or right side on the floor in front of the rower seat.

This allows you to:

1. keep an eye on it, so you remember to put it in!
2. easy draining when on the trailer.

I had my boat out tonight, we got into heavy rain. I pulled the plug, and the boat was dry by the time I got home.
Permalink Reply by Darrell Lyons on July 1, 2009 at 7:30am
The only down side to drain in your description; for any reason the plug is out you will take water like a fountain! Your description of easy drain is distinct advantage.
The rear transon plug rides high and dry without the plug in.
Permalink Reply by Jason Knight on July 1, 2009 at 8:59am
Man I just can't bring myself to drill a hole in the bottom of my boat... I have tried... but I can't bear it! haha.
I know, I know, I probably should. Anyone not run a drain plug? I think I remember Roger saying in his book he prefers to go without a drain plug. Correct me if I am wrong on that one though...
Permalink Reply by Jonathan Clarke on July 1, 2009 at 9:41am
I did drill a hole in the bottom of my boat and while it's never caused a problem, I wish I hadn't. The idea of having it to one side in front of the rower's seat is very practical, but I would personally worry about smacking the plug with a rock were it there. Mine is centered ahead of the stern. I've never had it out. I found that a bailing cup and a sponge get it dry enough when I'm on the water and at home after I hose the boat out, I use a simple siphon with a quick towel wipe up.
Permalink Reply by Greg Hatten on July 1, 2009 at 9:44am
I went without a drain plug for the first three seasons and just put one in. It was the "hardest" cut I made in the boat... yikes - drilling a hole in the bottom of my boat!!!!!
Glad I did - makes a huge difference in proper clean-up. I put it in the flatest section of the boat - just in front of the rowers seat (where my feet are)... I've got the rubber matts in that section and I positioned the plug right in the middle of one of the circles - so it is "flush" with the top of the rubber matt...
Happy drilling....
GH
Permalink Reply by Karl Mueller on July 1, 2009 at 10:36am
You done good Greg.
Permalink Reply by Jason Knight on July 1, 2009 at 10:07am
I'm waiting! I can't do it! hahah drilling through that floor and then through the glass and epoxy! ouch! ha
Permalink Reply by Greg Hatten on July 1, 2009 at 10:41am
I know the feeling. If you don't get a lot of water in the boat - going without will work as long as you have a good sponge.
Do that sponge for a season or two and see if you need a plug... the hole won't get any easier to drill, but it can certainly wait.
How's Christine??? Did she forgive me for the "mistaken identity" yet - hope so??
I've been on the east coast for a couple of weeks... gotta get back to the Summer Steelhead of Oregon....
GH
Permalink Reply by Jason Knight on July 1, 2009 at 11:06am
HAHA - yes you are forgiven! no worries... I will wait on the hole, I can't bear it just yet... sponges will have to do for now.
Permalink Reply by Dave Z on July 1, 2009 at 3:25pm
It's not that hard to drill a hole in the floor. In fact its pretty easy. Come on guys, get over it. You need a drain plug. Wherever you put it, is personal choice.

If you and your passengers wear felt soles, and stop to fish, often on the river, your boat will take on TONS of water.
Bailing just isn't too fun, especially with floorboards. I also carry a sponge or two, mainly to wipe out the pockets on the seats, and the minimal amount of water during summer bass floats (we rarely leave the boat).

If you do not have a drain plug, think of this....

You fished all day with a pile of gear in your boat. You are on a three day trip. You have no drain plug. The weather is rain all weekend. You are floating and camping. How are you draining your boat? I doubt you will tip it on its side each night, cause it is full of gear.

If you had a drain plug, you will slide your boat on shore, unscrew the plug, leave it out all night. water that rains in, drains out. You'll at least have less water by morning.

Scenario #2.

You float all day, take on a few inches of water. Its late, you are off the water at dark, and will be home at 12am. You are dog tired after the three hour drive. You don't have a drain plug. Your boat will still carry water on the ride home, no matter how much you bail- it will still be wet. Will you pull it in the garage and sponge it out until its dry at midnight? Or will you leave it full of water and deal with it later? Remember you have to work tomorrow morning.

If you had a drain plug, your boat will most likely be dry on the ride home. No standing water. Pull it in the garage and go to bed.

I still recommend a drain plug, obviously. I float alot. In fact, in my new boat, just finished a month and a half ago, I have 16 trips in it. A drain plug is a matter of convenience and is better for your boat. Where you put it suits you, but after three boats, I like it where I like it. I use a "garboard" plug. 1/2" threads. The flange plug is recessed into the floor. Cut the recess with a 2" hole saw, chisel it out, coat it a few times with epoxy. slop some 5200 on and screw it down tight. The "plugs" are hardware store brass 1/2" NPT plugs. A buck a piece. I leave two in my tool kit, and one in the rower seat pocket. I have never left shore without one. Its pretty obvious if you do and is a quick fix if you do. Hell, a stick in the woods can be threaded into the hole as a last resort.

Once you get a few trips in your boats, and your floor is covered in mud, dead flies, fish slime and all, the drain plug will not be a big deal.

Good luck all.

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