Correct Drain Plug?

L

LADY JANE

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 23, 2014
Messages
148
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C SE
Vessel Name
LADY JANE
I went to the hardware store to buy a new spare drain plug for my Ranger Tug. There were 2 plug "Designs" available that would fit identically: The first one was a lightweight Bronze plug, hollowed out 3/4 of the way up nearly to the top. It had a 1/2" NPT. The other plug was a heavy, solid Brass pipe design with 1/2" NPT. With both designs readily available, which "Design" is correct for a boat bilge drain, or does it matter?
 
LADY JANE":1927e5ro said:
I went to the hardware store to buy a new spare drain plug for my Ranger Tug. There were plug 2 designs available that would fit identically: The first one was a light bronze plug, hollow 3/4 of the way up the center, with 1/2" NPT. The other plug was a heavy, solid brass pipe design with 1/2" NPT. Which design is correct for a boat bilge drain, or does it matter?
Click to expand...

Either will function. If your boat is left in the water such that electrolysis becomes a concern, the bronze plug will be superior in comparison to the brass which is easily "eaten" by stray currents in the bilge (which is a COMMON place for stray currents to hang out!).

Get a handful of plugs so you will have spares. Nothing ruins a boating trip like not having the plug...

dave
 
I never buy hardware for the boat at the hardware store. I would only use stainless steel or bronze. But it goes deeper than that. There are marine grade stainless and marine grade Bronze. I believe marine grade bronze, sometimes called navy bronze has little or no nickel. And a 400 series stainless will rust, it is heat treatable and therefore has a small amount of carbon. A lot of hardware is 400 series, because it is very strong. Stainless should only be 318 or something close to that. It's worth the extra money. Especially brass. Brass will literally disappear over time.
 
On another link I reported about having to replace my entire garboard drain assembly. The new assembly, bought from West Marine, looked like brass to me. As I stated in the link, my original installation was not bonded and may have contributed to my issue, so I did bond the new assembly. I would assume that being bonded would also help preserve the plug. In my opinion the more metal the better, so I would go with the solid plug.
 
Is the original garboard drain assembly 'factory' bonded on all New Ranger Tugs? If not, should a factory bulletin be issued concerning this electrolytic hot spot?
 
LADY JANE":15vi6k91 said:
Is the original garboard drain assembly factory bonded on all Ranger Tugs?
Click to expand...

My 2013 21EC WAS factory bonded.

David
 
Mine was not, but I think it is supposed to by factory standards. I think the person that did the electrical on my boat had a bad weekend or something because there have been several fixes I had to do.
 
You should *never* use brass where it will be exposed to salt water (e.g., live below the waterline), as it will dezincafy (is that a word?), and become very soft and porous. Bad news in the extreme. Bronze is the appropriate choice.

Jeff
 
Mike,

Based on the West Marine web site description their West Marine branded garboard/plug is brass. If you bought the Perko assembly then it is bronze.

As Jeff stated brass will lose its zinc content in salt water and eventually weaken/crumble.

Howard
 
Ah, I thought I replaced it with the exact item, but after looking at the receipt it is brass. Perhaps I may be changing this one sooner than I thought! You would have thought the sales person would have clarified this with me prior to purchase. Unfortunately most of the sales people know less than the buyer. Oh well, perhaps that is why the last one deteriorated.
 
Sometimes I get mad at marine mfg.'s. They sometimes will make something with all stainless or all bronze, but then use brass or steel in 1 or 2 screws, or a clamp or a spring. How much extra can this cost? They already nail us to the wall. Everything "marine" cost at least double. That's why this site is so good. You have to do your own research and know all this cool stuff!

Chester

 
Some of the aftermarket bilge drain assemblies are not being entirely thought out for the safety and longevity of the boat. Especially when 'cutting corners' by either the manufacturer, seller, buyer, or installer. If not correct, this highly corrosive draInage area could literally be a "Complete" waste. So, here are some important suggestions that have been submitted all in a nutshell: There is only one approved "Marine Anti Seize Compound" to use for saltwater bilge plugs. Check with antiseize.com. When looking for quality bilge drain assembly parts, get (extra) drain plugs that are solid (not hollow) in marine grade Bronze and preferably not Brass for saltwater use. And, a boat "Plug" needs to be bought specifically in a marine parts store. Never at a plumbing harware store. The correct drain Plug must match-up to a similar-metal garboard with sufficient marine grade hardware that is all kept clean & grounded. Don't use anyTeflon Tape on the drain and plug threads. Coat drain and plug threads of dissimilar metals with Marine Anti Seize Compound. Thanks to all Tugnuts who have submitted these and other boat saving bilge drain assembly tips. -Bill
 
However, buyer beware. When I went to West Marine and asked for a plug I was not asked brass or bronze and they sold me brass. So even supposedly knowledgeable Marine salespeople are not knowledgeable.
 
Safety is not expensive, it's priceless.
Click to expand...
pugtug613":2x4umsgd said:
I never buy hardware for the boat at the hardware store. I would only use stainless steel or bronze. But it goes deeper than that. There are marine grade stainless and marine grade Bronze. I believe marine grade bronze, sometimes called navy bronze has little or no nickel. And a 400 series stainless will rust, it is heat treatable and therefore has a small amount of carbon. A lot of hardware is 400 series, because it is very strong. Stainless should only be 318 or something close to that. It's worth the extra money. Especially brass. Brass will literally disappear over time.
Click to expand...
 
For a correct installation, always add "Marine grade Anti-Seize" to your boats' drain plug. For 10 bucks on Amazon.com...A small jar or tube of it should be in every boaters' toolbox.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

  • Tugnuts.com is the community hub for Ranger Tug, Cutwater, and Solara owners. Since its inception in 2008, the Tugnuts forum has grown into an active and thriving community of more than 9,000 members. It serves as both a meeting place for the best boating community online, and an invaluable archive of information.

  • User menu
Back
Top