Garboard Drain Plug Install: Bare or use product?

[jimv]

Hi all,

I've had my one year old (to me) 2011 R27 (Classic) on it's trailer over the winter months and had removed the Garboard drain plug to allow any rainwater etc to drain out.

Splash day for this season is only a few days away, and I have a question for the group on best practice for re-insertion of the drain plug. The thing I am interested in is if the best thing to do it simply clean the plug and hole and reinsert and tighten up, or should any type of accompanying product be applied as well - i.e. thread compound; locktite; lubracant; etc.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Jim

 

[Rocky]

I don't think there is a wrong answer to this.....but personally, if you are splashing it for months, I would use Teflon thread tape. I feel this would help reduce any build up that could prevent it being removed easily next fall.

If you trailer and remove it often, I would leave it bare.

Being Pipe Thread, leaking shouldn't be an issue either way if tightened correctly.

That is just me....

I hope that helps.

Rocky

 

[scross]

I use non-metallic anti seize lubricant on mine. We put the plug in prior to splash, cruise for a several weeks then take the plug back out after putting the boat back on the trailer until the next cruise. Tighten the plug pretty tight when installing. Never had it come loose on its own and haven’t had a problem removing it. The paste can be messy though - paper towels for hand cleaning after use.

Marine Grade 44002 Non Metallic Anti-Seize Compound, 2 oz, Brown, Paste https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JRTASLG?re ... FCWYC0CTYD

PS: If you ever have to replace the plug make absolutely sure it’s BRONZE, not brass. Really big difference in corrosion resistance.

 

[S. Todd]

I have used teflon pipe dope on our drain plugs successfully for decades. They always come out when the boat goes back on its trailer after a week or two in the water (always fresh water for us) and never had one leak.

 

[jimv]

Thanks for the input. The boat will be in the water for the duration of the season, so knowing others have augmented the threads, I think I will use some teflon (either tape or dope)

Jim

 

[GaylesFaerie]

I use anti-seize and make it good and tight. Also, check the garboard fitting itself for integrity. I have a 2012 R27 and in 2020 the entire fitting was loose because the factory didn't bond it to the rest of the boat's bonding system. The 3 screws holding the fitting in the fiberglass corroded significantly and allowed the fitting to move about when I first took the plug out when on the hard. I replaced the fitting with a new one as it too showed some corrosion. Instead of screws I used teflon bronze bolts with one bolt long enough to fasten a green bonding wire to it and routing the wire over to the stuffing box bonding connection. As a rule you would want to route the wire directly to the bonding bus bar for each protected fitting but this will work too provided the stuffing box connection remains intact. HTH, Gary

 

[snydzy]

I use nothing…. The brass garboard plugs require no teflon tape, and no o-ring to function properly. Never had a problem!

 

[marksandyham]

I use a non hardening pipe dope.

 

[Ralf H]

Hi all,

This is a matter of personal preference, but the drain plugs do not need any type of sealant. Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Ralf