Preflight those drain plugs!

So, after a number of years NOT owning a ski boat with the transom plug, we head out this morning for the second ride in the ‘new to us boat’. I drop the boat in at the ramp, My son ties it off. I go park the rig, get organized and we launch. We get on plane, go about a mile, turn the boat off and just enjoying the Sun, discussing who’s skiing first. The previous day I had noticed I need to adjust the packing as the drip was too much. Bilge kicked on. And did NOT kick off. I lifted motor box, water about up to oil pan. SIT DOWN, we’re outta here. I hit it. I had initially thought the packing had failed then as I neared the dock, I remembered the transom plug….the one I failed to check from yesterdays outing after I pulled the boat. Reached over platform and done. TEN minutes later, bilge dry! Whew! Rookie mistake, I know!

Good thinking. Once I get back in there to clean it what might be some more organic material, I’ll do the same.

The heck with cleaning the bilge.  Squirt some dish soap in there, let al ittle water in and go ski all day.  When you drain it you will be spic and span clean.  I used to get down there and bust my hump cleaning.  No longer and it looks the same after the boat wash technique.  All the turns, starts and stops do a great job of washing.  It does not take a lot of water but maybe a couple gallons, enough to put a 1” or so in the bottom of the boat parked.