OldGuyDIY Grumman Sportboat Sport Boat Canoe Jon $2 Boat Drain Plug Tube Hole Pt 6

This technique allows the installation of a PVC drain tube that accepts a standard 1” marine plug in an aluminum boat for less than $2 in materials. If you are skeptical of the fit, take your drain plug to Home Depot and insert it in thin wall PVC until you find a size to fit your plug.
I used the gray PVC fittings from the electrical dept. rather than white from the Plumbing Dept. because the grey doesn’t stand out as much if the paint rubs off.
This tube is installed with the intent of installing and removing the plug from inside the boat.
The drain tube was installed in in a 1965 Grumman Sport Boat for the video.
Required materials:
3/4” male PVC fitting $.34 @ Home Depot MA075-CE
3/4” female PVC fitting $.37 @ Home Depot E942ER-CTN
3” of thin wall pvc pipe
PVC cement
Glue, epoxy or goop
1” drill bit or hole saw.
Standard 1” rubber drain plug.
The process:
Prepare the tube assembly.
Cut the male adaptor off with a hacksaw at the end of the flats on the fitting. This allows for a lower profile outside the boat.
Glue and insert the thin wall PVC into the female adapter. Let the glue set for a few minutes.
Cut the PVC off to the desired length. I chose to leave just enough for the plug to seat fully.
Determine where to put the drain. Mark the spot.
Drill a small pilot hole.
Drill the 1” hole through the hull.
Clean and lightly sand the aluminum around the hole, inside and out.
Generously apply your sealant of choice to the outside diameter of the male plug where the plug will meet the hull.
Insert the plug into the hole.
Generously apply your sealant of choice to the threaded area and inside of the hull where the male fitting protrudes into the boat.
Thread the female fitting onto the male fitting, finger tight. Tighten the fitting with wrenches or channel locks to ensure a good seal. Sealant should have oozed out to the joint inside and outside of the boat at this point.
Wipe off excess sealant.
Paint when dried and cured.
Insert the drain plug and enjoy boating.

[@aniyahudi]

Hi. Now that it has been five years, are you still happy with this installation? Is any water sipping inside?

[@anonymousperson2578]

Very innovative, but the elevation of the plug placement is a bit high in the bilge, preventing water from fully draining while underway or on the trailer. Installing the plug at the very lowest point in the bilge would be a better set-up, but hats off for the engineering anyway. Good job.

[@robert5900]

Will the plug work on the outside?

[@richardallen3173]

I want to see the 1 inch drain plug fit into 3/4 in pvc. I don't think it will fit.

[@gary5831]

Use the correct item for the correct applications.

[@derrickgates42]

great idea, my worry would be what happens if you step on it or dtop something on it when out on water and it breaks off?

[@rcagle123]

derrickgates42 Yep, plug needs to be on the outside.

[@technologyguy101]

Yep, bad idea plug on inside

[@technologyguy101]

Also will not drain worth a shit mounted that high and that style.

[@Johnny-dp5mu]

@@technologyguy101 revisit you will see its at the bottom about an 1" of water before it drains what you see is the triangle transom support and bottom of boat.

[@mikey6071]

HOW DID IT WORK FOR YOU, BEING 5 YEARS LATER ?

[@jerryshropshire487]

I don't know where this guy buys his parts, but I can't find thin wall PVC anywhere around here.

[@anonymousperson2578]

Thinwall PVC is "sprinkler" pipe available at Home Depot or Lowe's

[@itsonlynewonce71]

sprinkler pipe, or sh 40 same ext. diam.

[@OldGuyDIY]

Home Depot.

[@frangiew9076]

Old guy...you needed to show how you did the work ,,,,,otherwise just talking thru it doesn't help us out here

[@travelingwithrick]

Yes I need to do this on a 12 foot aluminum boat has no drain hole. Step by step would be nice.

[@mikey6071]

look up ABS Bulkhead, Lowes has them for barrels and will work for aluminum boats. Will need a good silicone or marine sealant

[@sydneyponcho6498]

If you have a $2 boat... Use a $2 Thru-Hull fitting.

[@BarBuoyFishing]

lol

[@gartoy]

$2 my ass the hole saw cost a lot more than $2 wtf