17' CC Drain Plugs

Hello,

I'm an owner of a 17' CC. I used to be a member and I will be joining again soon. I wanted to get my question out there as soon as possible. The drain plugs in the two forward fish box compartments are 3/4". Mine corroded over the Winter and apparently 3/4" is a rare size in my area. I'm hoping to go out fishing in the morning.

So here's the question. If I run my 17' CC without drain plugs in the two forward fish compartments will they fill up with water to a certain level and then stop filling up with water? I believe that this is true, but I don't want to launch the boat and find out that water comes in and over flows the compartment and begins to spill over onto the deck.

Thanks for your help!!!

Erik (formerly Mainer on this site)

[pamarine]

RAM pressure on the drain will probably make the boxes overflow. Where are you located? I'm suprised that 3/4" plugs are hard to come by, since it's the most common transom drain plug.

[fridaysoff]

Erik,
I had an 04 170CC and left my drains out a couple of times. It would only fill partially and drain out each time you get on plane. The problem with that is that it takes away all of the storage on the 170. Try to find various size "cork" plugs that was used way back when.You can still find them at various stores. I think you can get different size plugs with a T handle on them at Boaters World etc. You can put them in the hole and twist it tight until it holds. Good luck.Good to hear from you again.
John D.

[BarryB]

Hi Erik,

I've taken my boat fishing with the plugs out. That way, as the ice melts, the water flows out. Nothing like trying to remove the plugs with ice water in the box, Brrrrr. When drifting, the water fills to just below the removeable inserts (stands?) located in the fish box. When I get going, the water drains out.

[cagrove]

I've forgotten to put in my plugs a couple of times (slow learner, I guess ). The water will only come up a couple (maybe 5 or 6) of inches into the fish boxes and will drain when up on plane as that part of the boat is out of water at such time. It does take a little more time to get up on plane with the water in the boxes but only a second or two extra.

Look around, you should be able to find the plugs...they're not that uncommon.

Good luck.

[Davekfl]

I purchased replacement plugs for the front compartments at Wal-Mart. Every Wal-Mart should have them. The ones I purchased are rubber stopper with a red plastic insert that locks down to secure.
Very common.
davekfl ( Sarasota, Florida)

[JimW]

Erik,
I think these are the ones thatDavekfl is talking about. The #4045 3/4" on this site is what I purchased at Wal-Mart just last week.
Gas Tanks & Drain Plugs

Jim

[NCangler]

From the factory:

They will only fill to the waterline, so you should not worry about the boat swamping or water overflowing the hatches.

[Mainer]

Hello,

Thanks for all of the help. I was actually able to free up the plugs that I had with some lubrication and some gentle pursuasion. I have the rubber ones that you twist to enlarge and then snap so they remain that size. The two Walmarts that I tried only had 1" plugs. Since it was after 5:00pm on a Saturday the only boating store open was Boaters World and they don't stock 3/4" at that store. I'll pick some new ones up at the locally owned boating store since they have a much larger selection than Boater World. It's good to know that I can run without the plugs if needed. After all of that effort I went striper fishing yesterday and forgot the blood worms at home in the fridge. Still had a great day on the water.

[joejoecat]

I use the synthetic corks from a wine bottle,they work great and you don't have to kill yourself getting them in and out.