Head's Up on Pulled Drain Plugs My Nutcase Friends

[Hugh_M]

We fished the Casitas WON Tourney on Feb 2nd. After pulling the boat up the ramp, I pulled the Drain Plug on my 21' Ranger Bass Boat. After the Ceremony, we drove back to Ventura, parked the boat outside, put on boat cover and an additional Tarp for extra protection.

I then cleaned the Hell out of Boat and Trailer for the next two weeks. We hooked up this morning, Sun Feb 17th, and pulled up to the Casitas gate about 5AM or so. Drain plug still out. I decided to wipe the dew off the boat, from under the compartment lids and do a final check of the livewells and bilge. BOY !!!!!!!! Imagine my surprise when I pulled a paper towel out of the Bilge SOPPING WET !!!!! Over the next ten minutes or so, I managed to sop a cup or more of water out of the bilge.

We passed the VERY THOROUGH inspection by the Ranger and manged to catch about an 18# limit today. We thought it was a great day just getting in, the green fish were an added bonus.

Samo - Samo as last trip, pulled the boat, removed the Drain Plug and drove back to Ventura. Parked the boat and elevated the bow. Hooked a clear plastic tube to a fitting, attached to my WetVac, and was surprised to see another cup or more of Casitas water come out into the WetVac from the Bilge.

Please take heed my Nutcase Friends, you cannot trust that driving around with your Drain Plug out will fully drain your Bilge !!! Double and Triple Check !!!

if you should get one of the Nasty Rangers, like we did the morning of the Casitas WON tourney on Feb 2nd, who sticks his finger into your Bilge Drain hole checking for water, you will find yourself on the 29 day Quaranteen List for sure.

Clean & Dry

[Ron C]

Good info there, Hugh.

Because of the Clean and Dry thing, I now put a piece of a 2X4 on the ground under my dolly wheel when I drop my boat and I then crank it way up (but not all the way, as this can be dangerous). It's amazing how that extra 2" can drain water out of your bilge that you didn't know was in there. Just an idea that works for me.

[JohnBigJ]

Put a strip of a towel through the night before and it wicked some water out, then wiped it dry in the am. Going to get a wet/dry vac this week.