spare drain plugs, what works if you can't find originals?

[Nate Haler]

Triumph parts are not exactly plentiful in the SF east bay area of northern California. Anybody have a suggestion for perhaps another item that works for the drain plugs in a 170DC (if indeed they vary by model)?

And last but not least, my boat didn't come with a livewell pickup fitting screen, i.e. whatever is supposed to be screwed on over the threaded pickup through-hull fitting.

I saw a mention of using an item from Home Depot or the like... but would anybody know the thread pitch and size required? I'm thinking maybe just a threaded PVC pipe type cap, with a bunch of holes drilled into it...

[Jim Jenkins]

In four years of use, 170 CC, I have encountered both problems on your posting.

On the drain plugs, I purchased an extra set of the threaded stern drain plugs when I took delivery. Merritt Marine though a long distance from you should be able to ship these plugs to you. The OEM / FWD compartment plugs on the 2002 CC were too short and would leak even tightened down. I found longer plastic w/ rubber stopper plugs at Wal-Mart that solved the problem. FWD compartments now stay dry.

I went through two aerator-baitwell pumps due to picking up shell bits, sand, etc. damaging the impeller. (one replaced by Triumph). Nick on impeller would drag housing causing circuit breaker to trip. The pick up on the Rule pump has the same threads as a standard plumbing PVC adaptor from threaded to glued pipe. You may need to carefully hacksaw the stub end of the pickup to about 3/4 inch and file the end to get a good thread end. At a local, not major chain, hardware store I purchased a SS mesh screen with rubber washer similar to the same used on a home laundry washing machine supply line. Available in various mesh, bought the most coarse available in SS. Simple fix and to clear debris, turn off pump, just lean over and un-screw, swish and screw the adaptor back on the pick-up end of the pump. The screen/washer stays in the adaptor much like it would in the end of a garden hose.

Way too much detail but sadly my nature....

[fridaysoff]

Nate,
You can pick up the proper size screen (screw on) for your baitwell pick up at a boaters world. Look in the baitwell pump/bilge pump area. There is only one kind that I saw and it will fit. I think it is sold separatly as a baitwell drain or pick up tube cover. $3.00 maybe.
John D.