Chris wrote:
hi again,

I've got yet another interesting question which some of you with more
experience can likely say a few words to... I was out testing my project
boat on the trailer, and ensuring the bilge pump would work right by putting
the plug in the boat and filling the back end with a few inches of water.
Well the bilge pump works great, however, when putting the boat plug in I
felt that the wood between the inner and outer fiberglass was a wee bit
slimy and the hole perhaps not as narrow as I'd like to have to ensure the
plug stays in securely.

What can I do here to fix this up?

An idea was to get some fiberglass resin and put a thin coat in the hole as
to seal things, narrow up the hole width, and strengthen the inner hole for
the plug.

Or perhaps a newer plug would be a big thicker...

btw, the boat is a 70's era 15.5 fiberglass.

I feel that the rest of the transom is fine, just this part around the hole
seems to be a bit questionable.

thanks
Chris

Most boats have a brass or stainless insert that is epoxied into the
hole. It basically looks like a short piece of pipe with one end
beveled out. This may be missing, and would account for the plug being
loose feeling. Also, the plug is usually adjustable, just turn the
lever a couple of turns, try again.

Cut away as much as you can to clear away the rot and then glass it
closed using a combination of GRP glass and matt. Now cut a new hole is
a similar position.

A drain plug should not go directly into the aft end. Not only will it
leak, but the water will wick through the plywood and rot it once
again. You need to buy a 1-inch brass tube and epoxy it into the drain
hole. Now the rubber expansion plug will fit snug.

Here's a source:
http://www.outdoorsuperstore.com/sto...=DRAI N+TUBES

You can make your own collar after a visit to a plumbing supply store.
USE BRASS! In a pinch, you could use a piece of PVC, but because of the
thickness of the material, you'd need to enlarge the hole.






wrote:
Chris wrote:
hi again,

I've got yet another interesting question which some of you with more
experience can likely say a few words to... I was out testing my project
boat on the trailer, and ensuring the bilge pump would work right by putting
the plug in the boat and filling the back end with a few inches of water.
Well the bilge pump works great, however, when putting the boat plug in I
felt that the wood between the inner and outer fiberglass was a wee bit
slimy and the hole perhaps not as narrow as I'd like to have to ensure the
plug stays in securely.

What can I do here to fix this up?

An idea was to get some fiberglass resin and put a thin coat in the hole as
to seal things, narrow up the hole width, and strengthen the inner hole for
the plug.

Or perhaps a newer plug would be a big thicker...

btw, the boat is a 70's era 15.5 fiberglass.

I feel that the rest of the transom is fine, just this part around the hole
seems to be a bit questionable.

thanks
Chris

Most boats have a brass or stainless insert that is epoxied into the
hole. It basically looks like a short piece of pipe with one end
beveled out. This may be missing, and would account for the plug being
loose feeling. Also, the plug is usually adjustable, just turn the
lever a couple of turns, try again.