Hobie Cat Forums

After learning the hard way that the drain plugs are important , I have a plan so that this will never happen to me again.

I'm going to clip this "remove before flight" tab onto the mast somewhere when I pull the drain plugs out. Then when I'm ready to sail, I put the drain plugs in and remove the "remove before flight" tab.


Now I will never forget my plugs !

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-Zach
Hobie 16 for sale
West Lafayette, IN (school)
Melbourne, FL (summer)

I bought digital automatic drain plugs, since then no more problems.

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ALLEY CAT 1984 RED LINE HOBIE 18 MAGNUM
Sail # 10505 or 277

Where do you get those? I just did some quick googling and found that the hobie plug is 3/8"-16. Couldn't find any auto drain plugs with that thread size.

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-Zach
Hobie 16 for sale
West Lafayette, IN (school)
Melbourne, FL (summer)

I sail with a guy that's a helicopter pilot, he has those all over his boat. What ever works for you. I bet now that you've forgotten them once, you won't do it again.

It was a stupid joke, sorry for wasting your time, you were googling something that does not exist. How do you make a digital drain plug?

I once made the mistake you made, I think we have all done it at least once, most people twice, and some thrice. Also my plugs can dangle once there unscrewed and I find they fall out on the highway if left dangling. Then you got no plugs when you get to the beach. I always stow them very safely.

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ALLEY CAT 1984 RED LINE HOBIE 18 MAGNUM
Sail # 10505 or 277

Pull the plug, drain the water, and then screw the plug back in. Don't leave them out otherwise you will inevitibly lose or forget them.

sm

I thought you were talking about some sort of self-bailing plug like they use on Sunfish sailboats. It uses a ball on the inside that allows water to flow out but not in. In theory its a good idea, but doesn't work that well in practice.

After my mistake on Saturday, I don't think I'll forget the plugs for a while.

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-Zach
Hobie 16 for sale
West Lafayette, IN (school)
Melbourne, FL (summer)

Isn't that when you stick your finger (digit) in the drain hole?

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What - Me Worry?


2006 Hobie Wave
"Humuhumunukunukuapua'a"

Make it Step 1. Put the drain plugs in first before you do anything else. Don't get distracted....make it a habit.

I have rear port holes. So I just sponge out the water and don't remove the plugs.

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Rich Vilvens
F-18 5150
R.Vilvens@yahoo.com
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/f-185150sailing/

This! Works every time.

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UK got 7!

H16 89112

One of those flags was on my boat when I bought. The original owner said his buddy flew Stealth bombers and took it from one of the covers that went over an engine somewhere on the bomber. His story, not mine.

I sometimes install my drain plugs when I am putting the sails in the tube before I leave the house. I once sailed 3 1/2 miles without a drain plug in the lee hull. Took a while to figure out why waves were washing over the hull while sailing.

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'88 Nationals Blue
Hobie Alter Signature Model
Sail #11

Hobie Mirage Classic

Ya I work in the aviation industry and a lot of people have them on keychains and such. Just got one in the mail and I'll go clip it on my boat somewhere tomorrow.

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-Zach
Hobie 16 for sale
West Lafayette, IN (school)
Melbourne, FL (summer)

The hulls are (hopefully) sealed pretty tight. Changes in temperature could cause pressure changes that could cause damage. I've heard warnings that using a vacuum cleaner to apply pressure to bubble check for leaks can cause damage. I'll bet sitting in the FL sun would build up a whole lot more pressure than that.

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The ox is slow but the earth is patient

Thats a good point. It probably is good to leave my plugs open until I'm ready to sail. Just have to remember to put them in.

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-Zach
Hobie 16 for sale
West Lafayette, IN (school)
Melbourne, FL (summer)