Drain Plug?

[Capt.Erich]

I recently purchased a 1965 34 Sport cruiser. I noticed in the forward bilge on the starboard side, there appears to be a 1" bronze threaded drain plug with a T handle. The plug was removed when I found it (sunlight coming through the hull was a little startling). It appears to be in good working shape with no corrosion. Does anyone else have this? I've never had a boat with a drain plug. It seems to me I should use some sort of grease or PVC tape when I replace prior to splashing. What are your reccomendatios?

 

[MikeP]

Several other boats I've owned had a garboard plug in the bottom of the hull. I think it's fairly common although there isn't one on our 53. It's useful to let any water in the bilges drain out. Some sort of sealant on the plug is a good idea - I had one that seeped a bit so the bilges could never be kept dry until I hauled the boat and applied some Perfect Seal to the threads.

 

[34Hatt]

I have one in my 34C I put a valve in place with a southbay on the underside and use it for anchor wash down pump. For the winter I cover the boat so I use the bildge pump then get left over out with shop vac.

 

[67hat34c]

All of the 34's had one in the same place.
make sure it is bonded, wrap threads with teflon tape or some sealer and install. also if threads are crudded then run a pipe tap into the hole and clean them out so you will get good seal. I cleaned up the plug on brass wire wheel. If you do use sealer on threads then bond the plug along with the housing.

 

[DickB]

I had one on my 44TC. It appeared to me that it's really only useful if you haul and leave the boat out-of-water for any length of time (e.g., the winter). Since I never do that, I glassed over it and eliminated one leak problem.

Dick