DRAIN PLUG problem

[johnw]

Last season, I put grease on the threads of the drain plug to keep it easy to unscrew.
After coming back from 6 weeks in the Keys,Yesterday, I tried to loosen it and heard a crack sound. The plug was very tight and now water started to drip out from the bilge area!!!!
I should have left well enough alone! So, If water leaks out around the round fitting, not the screw area, water will come into the boat constantly.
Anyone have experience replacing the round fitting that holds the drain plug?
Thanks for any thoughts, John

 

[venajeff]

That definitely sounds like something that needs to be fixed before putting the boat back into the water. From your description it sounds like maybe the mounting screws on your drain plug housing broke and then the seal was broken. My advice would be to remove that unit and order a new housing. If there is damage to the fiberglass, like if there are any cracks that water might get into, that will need to be repaired. If there is no cracking then you might be able to just leave the old broken screws in and rotate the new housing and drill new holes. I would use 3M 4200 sealant.
This should be an easy job for any boat yard if you are nervous about doing it.
Good luck.

 

[TristenT]

I had the threaded plug seize on me in December so I ended up removing the entire drain plug flange. Pretty strait forward repair. In your case inspect the fiberglass around the screw holes it sounds like you may have cracked some fiberglass or a screw. Clean up the mounting surface prior to install. I plan to use 5200 to seal the new plug flange on.

 

[venajeff]

Just an FYI, 5200 hardens up. At some point if you or anyone in the future wants to remove that fitting it could be very difficult.

 

[Donaldlgom]

Hello!
Take up sports and be always healthy!

Good luck 🙂

 

[TristenT]

Just an FYI, 5200 hardens up. At some point if you or anyone in the future wants to remove that fitting it could be very difficult.

That is true I was just thinking max strength, but ill double check on maybe using 4200

 

[Jcat2010]

Yes. 4200 all the way. If you can reuse the existing holes, go for it. If not, fill the old screw holes, rotate the new drain plate so the new holes you drill will be between the old ones. The major thing is buy a bronze plate/bronze plug replacement. Groco makes one. A LOT of them are bronze plate, brass plug. Fine if you don't leave in the water, suck if you leave in as grease or not, the brass de zincifies and corrodes and expands and either welds itself to the plate.

Just my experience.