[timgordon]

I am after some advice on replacing the bilge drain plug for Z250, after much cursing and swearing I finally managed to undo mine this morning, to find the first few threads of the screw thread have corroded/rusted pretty badly, causing it to sieze. The teeth of the mole grips that I used also badly ate into the square peg used for tightening loosening the bung. Has anybody replaced theirs, had one made, replaced with plastic, etc... are they brass or stainless steel, is it worth undoing the whole unit, (including the surround plate and screws) as I know I have a washer rattling around inside that I could feel that was too big too fit out the drain hole. Or should I just clean up the existing bung as best I can and hope it doesn't get corroded shut tight again. All advice greatly appreciated.

[ShabahZ280]

Yes, about 90% of us remove our bilge drain plugs after each time we go boating and load onto the trailer, then we put the plug back in before we launch again.

The drain plug is brass, and they're available at any marine dealer/service center, boating shop, sporting goods store, and even Wal-Mart. I keep a spare one on my boat just in case. They run about $3 here. There are plastic and other style replacements, but the brass is the best, as that's what the original fitting was meant for.

I don't recommend trying to remove the whole surrounding fitting at all, as it's epoxied into the hull with some obnoxiously strong stuff. As long as the new drain plug screws into it and stays tight, don't worry about it.

Also, since I've got a Z250 too, I can tell you the rattling noise you heard inside is most likely an internal drain plug. I found mine by accident and I think it's meant to stay inside. My assumption is this is kind of an emergency quick fix. If you forget to put in the drain plug outside, and the bilge starts to fill with water, forward momentum from the boat and water pressure to the rear will push the plug into the hole to keep more water from coming in. That's just my assumption, so don't hold me to that, but it seems to make sense... All I know is, I just left that piece inside.

[Dredd]

I had that same issue on my Mariah when I first got it. I had to take the entire housing off the and put it in a vise to get the plug out. I wanted to replace the assembly but I couldn't find one that matched the three screw holes in the transom. I ended up re-installing the original one with 5200 and a new plug and I never had an issue again.
That boat only ever took on a couple ounces of water but I still pulled the plug when every time I trailered the boat.

[timgordon]

Thanks for the info Chris & Dredd. I keep mine in an indoor drystack in the UK. The staff are supposed to take the bung out each time the boat gets lifted out, however they couldn't due to it being seized, (but hopefully will do, after I find a replacement) Will be checking out the local chandlerys for something suitable, once the holidays are over. Not sure they are as common over here, definitely wouldn't imagine they would be our local Walmarts Think I will leave the expoxied surround well alone. Thanks again for the advice.

Cheers & Merry Christmas

[rayzorback]

I always remove the plug when out of the water. If nothing else, to let any rainwater drain. But now I have relaced my drain plug with an underwatr LED light made by "Liquid Lite".