Remember your drain plugs!

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

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

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

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

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What - Me Worry?


2006 Hobie Wave 7358
"Ish Kabibble"

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
[email protected]
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/f-185150sailing/

This! Works every time.

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UK Wildcats have 8 now!

1976 H16 27640
1985 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

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