Noob Question, Where Is The Boat Plug In My 87 Bass Tracker Tx-17?

[mattk22]

I have been in, driven boats before and they always have a drain plug, there is a hole in the back of my boat, but doesn't look like there is a spot for a drain plug. should there be?

Thanks for the help, i have been trolling the forums for a while and you guys are a great resource. excited to get my boat out. thanks.

[Long Mike]

The hole is for the drain plug. The drain plug is inserted from the inside of the boat.

[mattk22]

found it, thanks

[Wayne P.]

You have two or more "holes" in the bottom center of the transom. The one that does not have a plastic fitting is the hull drain. Most insert the plug from outside the hull. Use a T-handle style plug.

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=607&familyName=Turn+Tite+Bailer+Plugs

If you use the lever type you may pull that out accidently bumping into stuff. That style is commonly used in jon boats and inserted from the inside since access is easier.

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=608&familyName=Snap+Tite+Bailer+Plugs

I fish in stumps and trees a lot so I removed the T-screw and use a flat head bolt so it wouldn't get hung up.

[Fishing Rhino]

What kind of boat?

Some have threaded holes for the plug. These are generally opened and closed from the outside. Others use the expansion type of plug, which may be accessible from the inside or outside, and in some cases from both.

You may not be able to access the plug from inside the boat, without removing batteries, oil reservoirs, chargers, etc., and the plate to which they are secured. That is the way it is for my Z-8. So that I don't forget to install the drain plug, I remove the hitch from the receiver and put it on the floor beneath the drain. I always screw in the plug first. Then install the hitch. You can put a Post it note on the steering wheel, or whatever, that will remind you to install the drain plug before you get on the road.

Some put 'em in when they unhook the tie downs and remove the transom saver. I don't trust myself to install the plug at the ramp. A ramp can be a hectic place, with too many distractions. That being said, I still check the plug when I unhook the stuff at the stern, just in case.

[Sam]

When leaving home, unless it is raining, please do the following:

1. Unplug the battery charger extension cord.

2. Install the plug and make sure it is secure.

3. Check trolling motor to make sure it works.

4. Start engine and run for a few minutes.

If it is raining install plug at the ramp to avoid accumulating water as you drive to your ramp.

Everyone forgets to put the plug in and/or drives away with the extension cord still attached to the battery charger at least once. After it happens you will be more cognizant of double checking the plug and cord.

I have seen pros forget the plug in their haste to launch their boat so take their advice and put the plug in when you leave home. If the plug is installed correctly it will not fall out or get loose on the way to the ramp.

[RobertBG]

When leaving home, unless it is raining, please do the following:

1. Unplug the battery charger extension cord.

2. Install the plug and make sure it is secure.

3. Check trolling motor to make sure it works.

4. Start engine and run for a few minutes.

If it is raining install plug at the ramp to avoid accumulating water as you drive to your ramp.

Everyone forgets to put the plug in and/or drives away with the extension cord still attached to the battery charger at least once. After it happens you will be more cognizant of double checking the plug and cord.

I have seen pros forget the plug in their haste to launch their boat so take their advice and put the plug in when you leave home. If the plug is installed correctly it will not fall out or get loose on the way to the ramp.

If you do forget the plug at some time remember one thing...............full throttle is your friend just dont ask me how I know this

[Sam]

Full throttle pushes the water to the back of the boat where it can escape.

You have to have the trailer ready to trailer the boat and run the boat onto the trailer.

Then put in the plug and launch the boat.

Easier said than done.

Been there, done that!!!

[joefish]

^{When leaving home, unless it is raining, please do the following:}

^{1. Unplug the battery charger extension cord.}

^{2. Install the plug and make sure it is secure.}

^{3. Check trolling motor to make sure it works.}

^{4. Start engine and run for a few minutes.}

^{I would not do this unless you have muffs hooked to the motor. It is not good on the water pump impeller to run it dry.}

[RobertBG]

Full throttle pushes the water to the back of the boat where it can escape.

You have to have the trailer ready to trailer the boat and run the boat onto the trailer.

Then put in the plug and launch the boat.

Easier said than done.

Been there, done that!!!

I'd been around boats all my life but I got my first real boat when I was 14,it was a 14 ft checkmate that.I had to mow a lot of lawns for The most important thing my dad told me was WHEN you forget the drain plug just floor it and figure it out later.Fast forward a few years and a few boats,but one thursday i wanted to get my hydrostream on the lake before the crowds arived,so I hitched her up drove around the lake to the ramp and launched it myelf.As I'm about to pat myself on the back while backing away from the dock I feel water rush past my feet............yup forgot the plug.So I floored it like I was told.I ended up beaching it at the park swimming beach and hoofing it back to my house where my dad was sitting in his chair with the plug in his hand.

[Long Mike]

My boat plug is clipped to the key ring that holds my boat's ignition key. It makes it very difficult to fire up the motor without realizing you forgot to install the plug.

[Gotfishyfingers?]

^{I would not do this unless you have muffs hooked to the motor. It is not good on the water pump impeller to run it dry.}

Not good to do it at 4-5 am either BEFORE u leave home to go fishing . Neighbors might not be to happy with ya when you return.

[Sam]

Joe, of course you put the "ears" on your motor and run the water to the engine when starting it out of the water.

Thanks for adding this as I forgot to mention it and the newbies could do damage to their motor.

I should add #5: Remove ears and hose from lower unit before driving off!

We do so much that we take for granted and think everyone knows what to do.

[GuardianSailor]

OK fellas-- now for a real dummy enquiry.  I spent 6 years in the US Coast Guard, time in Boston Whalers and then owned a 17 foot sail boat.   Plenty of time piloting small craft.  So now I move out here to the Missouri River country and finally find a 1994 17-foot deep V hull bass tracker in excellent shape at a fair price.   I got 2 transom plugs with it-- a snap over rubber plug and a twist in rubber plug with a brass T-handle.  Problem is:  this boat's got 3 holes down there.  ALL below the water line.   The guy I bought it from couldn't explain it-- he'd bought it as a toy, used it once and stored it for the rest of the season.   Now, I am completely new with live wells and aerator systems.  Could this 3rd hole be an inlet for the live well and if so it would have some sort of back-check valve to prevent flooding.  This hole is higher than the other two on the transom and has a white plastic collar or lip on it.   If it is for the aerator/live well system, does it serve a double function as the outlet for the bilge pump?  I checked out the motors for the bilge and the aerator pumps before I bought the thing and heard them whirring so they seem to be in order.  So whats up with 2 hull plugs and 3 holes?   I ain't even taking this near a mud puddle until I am straightened out.   Thanks in advance.

[J Francho]

The center is the drain.  The outer two are each a fill hole and overflow/empty hole for the livewell.  Since the livewells are above the water line, they will not flood the boat, provided they do not leak.

[GuardianSailor]

Thanks.  But she is an old 1994 model.  She only has 1 live well.  Are there 2 holes for that single live well?  Like an inlet hole and an outlet hole.  Or just one?  If just 1, then that still leaves 1 more hole unaccounted for.  And then-- where is the bilge pump outlet hole?

[curtis9]

Check the pumps for the live well before you take it out. I bought a 2004 tracker and the live well pump housing was cracked and let a ton of water in the boat. Fortunately I figured out quickly the boat was taking on water and was able to replace the pump