Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by jimpogo on 07/12/23 - 3:06 PM

I have a 2021 160 super sport and the drain plug sits just below the water line. The manual says to leave the plug in when moored; torrential rains flood the boat with plug in. I've left the plug out without any issue as the water only fills the small recessed well at the transom and allows excess rain water to drain out. The only problem with this is that sea water grime, small shrimp, algae, end up making a mess in the well. It seems like a duckbill style valve would keep sea water out but let rain water drain....anyone aware of such a plug? Current plug is 1" threaded.

Posted by PhilD on 07/13/23 - 12:58 AM

Jim, you described the exact issue with these (I have a '23 130 super sport). For me, the least worst option is to leave the plug in, and bail the water out manually with my bilge pump, or take the plug out when I get to the boat. I keep it in a slip and I'd rather not leave the plug out and deal with ocean water in the bilge.

My 210 Montauk has scuppers which are great. I've seen aftermarket scuppers available -- as small as 1-1/2" diameter but never as small as 1" to fit these boats.

Have you considered a small Rule bilge pump and float switch wired directly to the battery? That way you keep the aft plug in all the time and the pump would take care of any rainwater that collects in the bilge.

Posted by Phil T on 07/13/23 - 6:53 AM

The duckbill scupper is for deck drains that are at the waterline and would not be appropriate for the threaded deck drain.

I concur with Phil above.

Posted by PhilD on 07/14/23 - 1:58 AM

This is another option. I keep it with me when I take out the 130, or my 9 foot skiff which doesn't have any drain plugs at all. It's battery powered and will get down into small areas. On a Super Sport, it can bail water from down into the lowest part by the plug

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08...08L5PFST5/

Edited by Phil T on 07/14/23 - 7:04 AM

Posted by jimpogo on 07/14/23 - 10:53 AM

Thanks to all for your comments. I bought a 2003 150 SS 2 years ago that had the same issue and I did install a small bilge pump. That boat didn't have the small well like the 2021 does so it left a fair amount of water sloshing around. At the time, I thought the hull might have been waterlogged which is why the drain plug was just below the waterline. I was a bit surprised when the 2021 was the same. Sounds like I'll need to install the bilge pump. Thanks again for everyone's feedback.

Posted by PhilD on 07/14/23 - 10:59 AM

I just found out when I went to register it, that my state considers the 130 Super Sport to be a 14-footer now due to the swim platforms that they introduced a few years ago. It still rides like a 13-footer!