What is this

[kjg1951]

On my keel on the starboard side is this plug .what is it used for ?
Thanks
Kevin g
New bern n.c.

[Nancy]

That's your garboard drain plug. It drains the water in the keel. Very handy when you're on the hard and giving the bilge a good cleaning.

Up here at the north pole, we remove the plug in the winter so that water doesn't freeze in the keel. We put it in a plastic bag and attach it to the steering wheel with a twistie.

[kjg1951]

How is it removed ..... Is there any chance of it breaking ?
Thanks
Kevin g

[Nancy]

John uses a 1/2" drive without the socket. I know he exchanged some choice words with it the first time - it had been a long time since it had been removed.

[kjg1951]

looks like it may have never been removed any suggestions on removal OR should I just leave it alone and not mess with it? I did spray some liquid wrench on it this morning....... thank s
Kevin G
New bern N.C.

[Jay Knoll]

Kevin

When it does come time to put a socket wrench on that puppy, TIGHTEN it first before you try to loosen it. A mechanic taught me this years ago. If there is corrosion trying to loosen it first will pack that corrosion into the threads jamming it tighter. Tightening first breaks the corossion bond and (hopefully) makes it easier to loosen the bolt. I would let the liquid wrench do its thing for several days if time permits, perhaps with a few more applications before you start the swear fest.

Jay

Good luck

[Serenity]

DSC01987.JPG

When I purchased my Albin, the bilge plug came with a handy allen wrench. I use Teflon tape on the threads to prevent rust build up and the plug comes out very easy.

[JFOkie]

I remove mine every fall when I haul the boat to drain anything in the bilge. In the spring I use Teflon tape and put it back on. I think that it's a good idea to pull the plug every year, you don't want it freezing up. My boat came with the same tool (Allen wrench) shown. I also do the same thing Nancy does, put the plug in a ziplock bag and use a Velcro strap to secure it to the wheel. I also have a backup plug.....just in case.

John

M/V Nirvana

[carolmarie]

A ditto of John and Nancy's comments.
Don.

[mike66]

Kevin, yours is removed with a 1/2" drive handle as stated. I would not be afraid to put a breaker bar extansion on the handle....that plug shouldn't break. Make sure the drive is in as far as possible ( clean out the square hole as much as possible). Also, if you or a helper can hit the drive handle head squarely into the fitting while trying to loosen, it will act like an impact tool and help loosen it.