Separate bilge drain plug?

[C]

Currently have my boat at the mechanic to repower. Went back and forth on motor options, but after a deal fell through on an older Johnson I ended up with a 2013 90hp etec. While looking around the low area where the drain plug is, I noticed a rubber stopper for what I assume is draining the area under the deck. How is this plug usually treated? I would think left out all the time?

[Hyperacme]

In Minnesota plug has to be out while transporting to and from lake. So you don't transport Eurasian watermilfoil from lake to lake. Old timer taught me a trick to get every drop of water out of hull. Run a shoe string or piece of cloth from the lowest point in hull where water can't drain out drain hole and let it hang down half a foot below hull. Twist tye drain plug to tye down strap so you put plug in after removing strap .. Most people only forget to put plug in once ... you never forget again ... LOL

[C]

The string is a great idea. The plug I?m talking about is a separate one in the recessed area where the main plug is. I may have to take a picture when I get it back, I?ve searched the internet with no luck on what it is.

[Hyperacme]

Yes .. run shoestring into that hole and out drain hole ...

[Hyperacme]

There's some GT159 info here ...

https://forum.cgoamn.com/index.php?topic=7001.0

[C]

This is what I was looking for! Thank you! So it looks like I just need to periodically remove.

[Hyperacme]

After every uses , I would pull plugs and tilt boat up as far as possible. Then run shoestring through hole and let sit for a few days.

[C]

Thanks! This was exactly the information I was looking for, I'll be following this advice. My boat will be stored inside when not in use with the cover on, I have a couple buckets of "Damp Rid" to leave in it when not in use.

[Hyperacme]

Boats were never meant to get wet ...      

[C]

Haha! Hoping to share some pictures once I get the newer outboard on. Here it is after removal of the old tower of power.

[C]

Received my boat back from the mechanic and took your advice on the shoestring method. I noticed there are actually two of those plugs in the sump area. To me it seems like it would only make sense to always leave them out, is there a reason why they say to be replaced? I'm thinking about finding a small automatic bilge pump to put in the sump area and leaving those plugs out. Thoughts?

Thanks again for all the help!

[C]

Any idea if this area is sealed tight to the bilge besides these two drain plugs? Seems like an odd design to have no access. Wasn?t sure if I was missing something. Haven?t felt around under the bow infront of where the carpet stops though. Any access there?

[Hyperacme]

Some Glaston's have a "Vent tube" under deck in bow .. some don't have the tube ..
I got my V156 used and did not have plugs in holes. Never knew they had plugs until years later when I got the owners manual.
My CV16 had a different design for hull drainage.

[C]

Interesting, I'll have to see if I can locate this.

Another question about the bilge area. When the carpet was replaced the mechanic cut a small hole to look at the stringer and repaired. He said the stringer looked pretty good, some moisture (it had just rained uncovered), but things seemed sound. Is it ever advisable to put some antifreeze or anything like that in the bilge area as a precaution for wood rot?

[Hyperacme]

If your wood is wet it will rot over time .. nothing well help or stop it.
You shouldn't have standing water in bilge .. tilt boat bow up as far as it will go and use the string trick to get as much out as possible.

[C]

I don?t think I have a moisture problem, just extra cautious and want to make sure it?s as dry as possible before storing for winter. Using the shoestring tip you gave me and put a fan and dehumidifier in the boat and covered with plastic. No clue if this is effective or will do much, but I just had to buy the plastic.