What is that plug?

[dsherod]

By this weekend I hope to be a new proud owner of a '77 SF23 with twin 120's. I have had one inspection and a sea trial coming. During the inspection I saw what looks like a drain plug for the forward fish hold that runs to an outlet in the hull. I was not able to tell if this exited below the waterline, but I suspect it might.

The plug itself looks similar to the transom plug, but without the hinged lever that compresses the rubber plug. It looked like a strange setup and was wondering if this was common to other 23s. The owner claims that it is indeed a drain plug for the fish hold and he often would add water to the hold to add ballast forward. Sounds like a strange story to me, but not impossible I suppose.

Your assistance is appreciated. I will supply pictures later.

Dennis Sherod
Alglas 25' Custom Flybridge Sport Fisherman, Never Ending

[caper]

Story is true, the plug is a fish box drain - I leave the plug out all the time - put the plug in only when I put water in the box for ballast.

[wavelength]

I've found the "fish box" is not insulated enough to hold ice here in the warmer waters of Florida. I leave the plug in and have put Dry Deck planels down and use it for life jacket storage. When I wash the boat a little water pools up and I pull the plug when I'm on plane to drain it.

[oldfielder]

Make sure you inspect it carefully when you get the boat home. If it is very old, get a new thru-hull in there. It is definitely a drain and will definitely allow water between the hull and liner if it has any cracks in it. Mine was original and it was brass and very thin and brittle-out it came.
I never need to plug that box unless I'm trying to keep some ice cold water in there for fish.-I think you may be better off leaving it open even if you do use it for storage, as it will always drain the rain water then.

[FELLOW-SHIP]

Ha Wavelength;

We are on the same wavelength on how to set it up and what I use it for as well. I did buy some Taco gasket material as well and now it stays dry even when I wash the inside of the boat.

FellowShip

_______________________________________________

My motto: Just for the Grins

[eggsuckindog]

I use mine the same way also, as matt mentioned they don't hold worth crap. It will let water in at rest on mine but will drain on a plane. I just put a piece of weather strip along the front of mine to try and keep it dry, the water will not run to the sides for some reason and it would get wet. On my 18 when it was pretty new that thru hull was leaking, drove me nuts trying to find the leak since it only did it with a big load.

[wavelength]

When we got our boat I replaced all (9) of the brass sleeves.

[Gary Hill]

FELLOW SHIP,
What size taco gasket did you use? Sounds what I would like since when I leave my inboard in the water I always worry when it snows or heavy downpour here in Virgina.

[Gary Hill]

FELLOW-SHIP,
Any info on the Taco Gasket size would help.

[ocuyler]

You have the drift by now. My 23CC had a crack in that through-hull and it leaked big time - 50 gallons in a couple hours.