Keel plug

[Bel Canto]

I asked about this in Roche harbor, but...

A good quality 12" adjustable wrench, adjusted correctly, did nothing to remove this plug. There was a pin in the plug. I wasn't sure why it was there so removed it. Still no luck. I am tempted to try a multi-point socket, supposed to work on square plugs. Any other ideas?

I wanted to drain the bilge as I thought that I would be inspected for invasive species as I came back into Oregon. I guess that is only from California. I won't comment on that.

 

[joempo]

You may want to phone the factory. That plug should come out, and really needs to.
I'm not sure about the Cutwaters or newer tugs, but I know any water in the bilge of our 25 Classic will travel from stern to bow and back while trailering.
We had to replace both thruster motors due to water intrusion that fried them. However, I believe at least one of the thruster motors on the newer boats are the sealed type.
Joe

 

[Andrew Custis]

I suggest getting a larger wrench or try heating the fitting up. I'm guessing it's been in for a while and possibly torqued in too tight by the person who installed it.

 

[Bel Canto]

OK, Mr. Muscle will go to work. My torch is in Texas. That might be a country song.

 

[Bel Canto]

Almost forgot. What is the purpose of the roll pin?

 

[knotflying]

My experience was that the plug corroded to the fitting. You don't want to muscle with the wrench too much. On mine the flange was only held in with threaded screws. It wasn't bonded either. I unscrewed the entire fitting and replaced it with a new one. Make sure you go bronze. I cleaned the hull and reset the new fitting in Lifeseal and through bolted it and bonded it. I also use marine grade antisieze before I install the plug.

 

[tlkenyon]

Used an 8_point socket and an electric impact wrench. Only took a few hits and came right out.

 

[ronnieg]

I would suggest trying a 9/16 end wrench if you pulled the roll pin out the wrench will be a great way to pull it out

 

[baz]

Andrew: What is the correct torque for screwing in the drain plug ? When I watched Kenny Marrs do it on my boat's delivery he simply hand tightened it. He said the the drain plug is a tapered screw bolt and is self sealing and does not require any teflon tape as one might use for sealing a water pipe connection.

 

[Bel Canto]

It won't move, the 9/16 inch Craftsman wrench deformed. I will replace the whole unit.

 

[baz]

You are turning the drain plug the right way, right ? :lol: Anti-clockwise for unscrewing the plug.

 

[LADYBUG TOO]

We use flush silicone bronze plugs on our keel. It takes a hex wrench to remove then. We also use "never seize" on the plugs. One trick plumbers use is to try to slightly tighten the plug and then try to remove. It works for fasteners too. Sounds counter intuitive but it has worked for me, especially on the keel plug. If all else fails, the entire plug assembly can be removed and replaced.

Pat
Ladybug, Too

 

[Bel Canto]

I did try tightening in order to break the bond/corrosion. I also used dry ice to shrink the plug. I will be replacing the entire fitting.

 

[Jackcash]

The whole fitting is called a Garboard drain plug . Marpac sells a 2" bronze one for about $11.00. Part no. 7-0322. I found it easier to take out the 3 screws and replace it rather than trying to get the plug out.
Jack

 

[LAKERtoo]

.. wouldn't a bilge plug make more sense to be accessible from the bilge ? .. I googled Garboard drain plug and one of the examples are these Perko units .. fit flush to the hull and replaceable from the interior .. if I was on the water and discovered the plug missing or leaking and the boat ramp was on the horizon, wouldn't there be a better chance of a happy ending if it was accessible ? ..

http://www.fisheriessupply.com/perko-ga ... -0363-0370

 

[knotflying]

I looked at that and no room on my R-27.

 

[Bel Canto]

In this boat, as in many boats, in order to get access to the plug, you would have to be a 90lb, ambidextrous acrobat being held up by your ankles. The would be made especially difficult if the engine were hot and seas rolling. Tapered hull plugs are the answer to safety issues. Heck, a single towel shoved down with the boat hook would probably keep up with the bilge pump.

I just wanted to drain the bilge so that the little cuties living in sea water wouldn't die and stink up the boat. a shop vac did the job and I will replace the entire fitting.