www.iFourWinns.com

We were Sun & the lake was crowded so it made for some rough running. We had a scary moment getting out from behind a 24-28 SR cuddy's wake (that was a quick learning exp. listed hard to starboard side, admiral said "That wasn't funny Mr. Jones") Anyway when I pulled the boat out of the ramp area I was looking in the R/H mirror & thought I saw water coming out of the bilge pump drain hole. I took the plug out when I got home & alot of water came out. I normally haven't been pulling it out because I haven't noticed water when I check the eng comp. I also have an additional Wallyworld nice cover over the Cockpit & Bow covers, cause rain gets in thru bimini cut outs. My question is do the more seasoned owners that trailer drain after every time out?

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2008 H190 4.3L Blue W/Red Graphic
2002 Honda CBR954RR BLK/SLVR slightly modded
2003 Yamaha Warrior 350 6spd < SOLD!

This is my first boat and I have had in 3 months now so i'm not a seasoned boat owner but yes I pull my drain plug out every time. It is just part of the system I have set up, while gasing to boat up at the local store I put the plug in and then when putting the back trailer straps on I pull the plug out.

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2008 H200SS
4.3 merc
2008 Chevy 2500

Huh? Can't quite make out what all you wrote there.

Generally you do drain the bilge after each time out. If only to avoid having it sloshing about when you tow it. Water is heavy and more than a gallon or so in the bilge really slaps around when you stop/start. That and you leave the plugs out so any rain that might get into the boat (and some ALWAYS does) will drain out.

But make sure you remember to put the plugs back in when you're putting the boat back into the water. Some folks find it useful to keep SEVERAL spare drain plugs on hand. This way you're not stuck if you've left home and forgotten to bring the plugs. Same deal with ignition keys. Nothing sucks so much as driving an hour to the ramp only to get there and discover you left the boat keys at home...

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

If the boat is on the trailer the plug comes out.

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Guns kill people like spoons make people fat.
2007 Horizon 190 Gxi
97 Pathfinder SE 4x4
73 International Scout II

Pull your drain plug everytime you pull your boat out. This way you'll be able to monitor the amount of water that may have entered your boat during that days use. If you drain more water than you consider normal it will promt you to further investigate why. Also leave the plug out when your boat is out of the water and not in use just in case the boat gathers rain water. If your batteries are dead or removed and unable to power the bilge pump, any water will still have a chance to drain from your boat. I have heard of people who were unaware their boat was gathering rain to the point the trailer tires failed, only to discover a boat completely full of water on the trailer.

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Jeff
2006 H240 6.2 MX 320HP B3
La Habra, California

Yes, before leaving the unloading area.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

To avoid cross contamination of foreign species

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-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

Everytime its on wheel I pull the plug at the ramp and put it back in when I return to the ramp.

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It will also let you know if any fluids are leaking when you drain it each time.

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H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

I used to pull the plug on our Bayliner everytime last season. Beings this is a new boat figured it to be more "water tight". As I said I bought a full cover from Wal-Mart for $100 (it's actually nicer then the one I had bought on line for mI boats for the BL) to keep the rain out. This one is just harder to get to becuase of the keel rollers on the trailer BUT It's not that difficult. Time to add that to my post ride check list.
Plus to answer the comment about leaving plug home, it's attached to the oil drain line that comes out the drain. Also I ALWAYS keep SPARE KEYS in JEEP i.e. Boat both of them, Trailer & Receiver locks.

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2008 H190 4.3L Blue W/Red Graphic
2002 Honda CBR954RR BLK/SLVR slightly modded
2003 Yamaha Warrior 350 6spd < SOLD!

When I pull the boat out of the water, the plug comes out. Like others have said, it is a nice guage to see what is really in your bilge.

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2001 Horizon 260 - 7.4 Volvo GSI DP

Heh, that'll be the day... Covers leak, get lifted by the wind, tear from branches dropping on them or get chewed through. Yes, they do make it less likely. But not enough that I'd trust one 100%.

As others have suggested it's also an excellent way to see if anything OTHER than water has shown up in the bilge. Best to know this when your trip is over instead of next time when you're expecting to set out on the day's trips.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

NO boat cover is 100% water tight, I had one made by a local guy (originals were long gone) and made some mods over the years and it's better, very little water gets in now.
I have seen a funny thing happen when trailer boater didn't pull the plug. He pulls up to a light, comes to a stop, all the water in the bilge flows foward, (bilge pump switches on) and shoots out of the bilge pump through hull into the car next to him! Can you imagine the suprise of that driver!!

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

I pull the plug every time I leave the ramp. As others have said, it can be an indicator of things becoming abnormal. Keep in mind, too, that swimming and returning to the boat can put a LOT more water than you would think into the bilge. Odds are the boat is perfectly watertight-you are just brining it in through swimming, weather, dew, etc.

On another note, you may want to be careful with your covering method once winterization rolls around. I don't think I'd put that cover on over the canvas covers without some type of dehumidifying system. Just covering up with both and leaving it will keep the covers from breathing in dry weather and you will more than likely open the cover in the spring to find an interior full of mold and mildew. Just a suggestion for prevention.

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Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

Hilarious story about the bilge pump! Anyway, On your boat cover statement, I'm sure you are referring to snap on covers - I can't find any leaks or incoming water with my FW mooring cover.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP