boat drain plug installed

[DANK]

Hi all,
On my 2003 210cc I added stainless steel transom drain. Here I have some tips learned and on this job and I was recommended to share.
I put the drain just off center (1 1/8th”)on the right (left or right all the same) never center due to stringer in the way. The transom is very thick so you do not have to (wood paddle bit) drill with the large drill all the way through (This may vary on depth of drain plugs). Drop down a size equal to the inner hole of the drain plug.
I don’t know about all triumph boats but the surface area on transom was not perfectly flat in this area; Concerned about a good seal, I heated up the drain plug with a torch (not glowing just a little) while holding it with a pair of visegrips and pressed with very small twist enough to move melted material around to desired position and depth. Important, before heating drain plug remove the o-ring. Also be sure of an idea on the position do to contours and holes on back side of drain will be molded on that spot. I did not recess it flush with transom just about 1/16th inch indent but, I don’t see why not other than you might have to drill excess out of screw holes. It did stick so I had to use a heat gun to take it back off. Use a razor to clean the outside edge and cut screw hole blobs flush to the impression (above I mentioned about drilling out the excess would be easier).
You may also have to redrill the drain hole just to clean.
Use a countersink so the rule can hide around the screw holes a little.

Hope this is helpful, DANK

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[DANK]

In regards to you question: I saw your post about the drain plug. I have a Triumph 2002 210 CC, how much water comes out of the drain that you installed? With that said, based on a one piece mold, how does water get into the hull? How did you discover that water was in the hull? Thanks and I appreciate the advice, Gearyg

Hi sorry it took me so long to get back to you Gearyg,

I have a 2003 215 cc so I can only speak for this year model. I know there are problems with some older models about water intrusion but not for sure about the years or if it was all or just a few of them. Most of the info I found by digging in this forum’s archive’s in which will make your eyes fall out reading so many.
The first thought of water intrusion came when I replaced the rule along the stringer. When I vacuumed the area before working and notice a large amount of water from voids around the seal (bolt and nut areas). Second time, when I found a crack under the large deck plate screwed down to replace the fuel sending unit (fuel sending unit manufacture warranty for 3 years to triumph’s 1). The crack was along the water channel. Third thought is when I found the installer of my swim ladder (dealer) made three holes and didn’t seal them; 2 of them below water line. Final was when I found three cold welds and a void around one of them in the bottom of the splash well which was filled with water.
I’m not convinced this is the method of draining this hull and recommend contacting triumph or seeing a master dealer to resolve this issue if a concern which would be cover by warranty. They drill holes in the front bottom hull area letting it sit then repairing holes. The transom drain has been dripping rusty like water constantly ever since installed but not enough yet to be a problem. If there is a leak in your hull it could let more water in than this drain could let out depending how frequent you go out. The foam in the transom is solid and hard so I assume the water has to seep out. Read a post on this forum though that the water raced out while drilling the hole and, saying how thankful he was using a cordless. I also haven’t lifted the trailer tongue 4 feet in the air maybe about 3.
Those looking to buy a triumph please do not let these threads discourage you from buying the best boat for the money. This is got to be the best boat I have ever owned and I love it and my Yamaha hpdi. Those problems I had where repaired no charge other than the 200 mile 4 way drives back and forth to the master repair dealer. Just the freedom from waxing and other labors required with gel coat and fiberglass out weigh any problem that I have had. Those that like to do there own work and save 75 hr and do as well or better than the dealer is all good but, I caution that you do not void your warranty if your skills and attention too quality are not to par for add-ons or do it yourself jobs.

Link to best price I found on rule sealant: http://www1.acehardwareoutlet.com/(5vcrj232zeanop55kjgiyhqm)/ProductDetails.aspx?SKU=8007593&Source=froogle

Safe boating all, DANK

[Friday]

I am going to keep my future boat on the water for 8 months a year. It looks like I need to put the boat on the trailer to drain the water out. Do you guys recommend add transom drain plugs if the boat does not have them? And drain it every two month?

Joe

[Putershark]

Originally Posted by Friday

I am going to keep my future boat on the water for 8 months a year. It looks like I need to put the boat on the trailer to drain the water out. Do you guys recommend add transom drain plugs if the boat does not have them? And drain it every two month?

Joe

Yes to the first question and maybe to the second...

If it is covered then I would say not, but if left uncovered and allowed have a lot of rain water get inside the boat? Then I would every now and then would put it on the trailer and pull it up the ramp some and just pop all the drains to allow it to drain. After a while you should be able to judge if it really needs that done once a month or longer if at all

[Friday]

I did not clearly understand what DANK was talking about. I assumed that there is an existing drain hole already, and I thought DANK put on an extra drain hole for some other purpose that is unique to Triumph Boats due to new materials and hull structures.

Yesterday, I stopped by a Triumph dealer on the way back home from the Thanksgiving Day trip. This new dealer had only one 190. There were no other models. However I found one 215CC on a marina parking lot belong to someone else. This was the first time I saw a 215CC. I was surprised because there was no drain hole on the 215CC. That point I understand what DANK was talking about. Yes it did discourage me. It was not conceivable. However, I have not given up on 210/215 yet.

I don’t think there will be problems when I leave the boat on the water 7-8 months. I use the boat every week. I use a manual bilge pump often to suck out the remaining water after the electric bilge pump. Or, use the manual bilge pump when the electric bilge pump is out of order.

The real problem I can think of is 4-5 months in winter when boat is on block. Where I live, most of boats are unattended 4-5 months in winter in remote place. For 20+ years of boating I have seen damaged inboard engine and bilge\live well\fish box pumps due to clogged drain hole. Yes I will put a drain hole if my future boat does not have it.

I do not know the model year of the 215CC I saw. It was on an aluminum trailer and ‘215CC’ was written on the console. I could not check the boat out because the owner was not there. Can any one tell me where the hatch for the bilge pump is? Actually I am looking for the hatch I can put manual bilge pump through to reach the transom in case of emergency.

Thanks in advance.

Joe

[k9reno]

the hatch to access the bilge pump is on the deck right in front of the splash wells. It is the rectangluar hatch on the deck. the pump should be jus to the port side. you can also access the chase to run cables and wires from the center console to the rear of the boat there.

[DANK]

Hi Joe,
I don’t think you should install this drain at least yet. First year do what you said then take it to a master dealer to drain if you think water is inside (loss of speed, wave handling changes, water sound under deck when walking, attention to water line changes, etc….). Well worth it, only about an hour of labor to drain if even needed you’ll know for sure if water is really getting in the foam cavity. I don’t want you to put a hole in your boat if you do not need it (keep it sealed if it is). Since you don’t trailer and you leave it in the water, I don’t think this is the fix for you. The trailer helps drain because your able to lift the tongue up real high 3 to 4 feet. This drain is slow in my case 1 drip every 1 to 2 seconds. This may be unique to his boat but someone said something on this forum about water shooting out when drilling the transom drain hole. If the same as my boat and others on this forum it could take sometime for your boat to drain and may not be fast enough for you. Especially if it freezes where you live and that’s the only time it’s going to be out of the water. If you do have serious water intrusion you may be only able to go 20mph by the time you take it out of the water but, you maybe able to split a 6 foot wave in half (grrrrr, no more rough days) .
Don’t worry should all be under warranty? That is another thing make sure the warranty is transferable to you if it is a used Triumph. I think Triumph should warranty their boat without question in this matter and just stand behind their name and brilliant boat no matter who sold it to you (search forum, keyword: warranty).
I also read a post on this forum about someone asking about installing an inner hull foam cavity drain since they leave the boat in the water for long periods (search forum, keyword: drain). Sorry about the keyword searches but I don’t have the time to find the link and would have to do same.
I hope this helps, safe boating all, DANK

[Codfish]

Friday,

Both the 210 and the 215 do have a drain plug. It is in the bilge, under the rectangular hatch at the rear of the deck, just in front of the splash well.

The drain the DANK and others have installed is strictly to get any water out of the inner hull. That area between the outside hull and the inner liner. Most of that area is full of foam, however there are some problems in making the area water proof, so the second drain has been found to be the best fix. Like DANK said, don't do the drain install unless you find out you need it. If you do, it will solve the problem and is easy to have done or do yourself.

This is not an issue that should keep you from buying a Triumph, IMHO.

Codfish

[Friday]

Codfish,
Thanks for clarifying. I understood what DANK said initially. Then I was confused because I did not see the drain plug on the stern. I guess the drain plug is on the bottom not side. That was why I did not see the plug when I was standing. Am I correct? I am planning to go to other dealer to see a new model.

Regarding inner hull drain hole(plug), does new model come with it? (factory installed?)

Thanks,
Joe

[Codfish]

Joe,

You are correct, the drain is in the bottom, just starboard of the keel line.

As far as I know, the inner hull drain is still an add on. I do not think the factory is willing to admit this is a necessity.

Again however I want to emphasize that it is a minor problem, that is fully taken care of with the inner hull drain install. Certainly not something I am worried about as far as the purchase of this boat is concerned. Nothing in the hull or inner hull can suffer with the constant exposure to a little water. Unlike other types of boats that can get hull rot/dry rot from the same problem.

Have fun looking at boats. I think you will recognize the value in a Triumph.

Codfish

P.S. No I do not get paid to push these boats, I just like mine.