New boat - confused w dealer advice

[Michael Strutton]

Picked up my new 2016 Yamaha 242 Limted S E-Series. The tech went over a few things including the clean out plugs. But there was some conflicting information between the tech and the fine folks here on the boards.

1. I was told not to use the "wet storage area" (as Yamaha refers to it) where the clean it plugs are for my ski and tow ropes. He said keeping wet things here would be bad for the plugs. This contradicts Yamaha's ads but is inline with the forums about keeping that area (top of the plugs) dry.
2. I was told to buy a large jar petroleum (Vaseline) and to put a good amount around the edge/ring of the plug. This may be one that is split amoung board members - to lube or not... But I don't recall him telling me to take them out and let them dry. Since my marina launches and stores my boat I guess I'll need to ask them to do this.
3. This is the big one. I was told not to use plug locks like Cobra EZ Locks. I was sorta stunned as this was the first thing I learned from you all. The tech said that the pressure build up with the 3rd party lock can cause a larger blast from the plug causing more damage (that won't be covered by my warranty). Not sure this make much sense as it seems the plugs blow to dog failures not pressure build up right?

 

[billyb]

1. My wet storage always gets wet and my plugs always have water on top.

3. He makes it sound as if BLOWN PLUGS AND DAMAGE ARE covered under warranty. I don't believe that is the case. It would be simple enough to ask him this question...

 

[Scottintexas]

@Michael Strutton glad to have you on board, be sure to check out the FAQ for lot's of great jet boat tips,

People will tell you all sorts of things, believe what you want,

1. pull you plugs after each trip and leave them in the wet area, your plugs will have water on top of them most every trip most of the time, water won't hurt them for daily use

2. if the marina won't or can't remember to do it at least pull them every trip just to make sure they are in working condition

3. is Yamaha going to cover plug blow out damage on a stock plug ( I don't think so because they will look at it and say you didn't secure them properly, to bad so sad)
I wouldn't boat without the locks but you may have to laminate an instruction sheet to the underside of the hatch for the marina to know what to do,

 

[itsdgm]

Sounds like you have figured out why this site is so useful. There's a ton of real boating experience on here.

1. Wet storage = wet storage. Just make sure to open the plugs and dry things out after each use.

2. Plug lube. I use a lube that I got from my pool supply store. IMHO Vaseline would make a mess and any petroleum based lube would make the rubber seals swell.

3. My Cobra EZ Locks have saved my bacon at least twice since I've owned my boat. Plugs do blow, not often, but they can do damage if it happens to you.

The fact that you know your service rep is giving conflicting info means that you're more educated about these issues than most guys out there.

 

[ncnmra]

I agree with all the above posts. I wouldn't use a petrolium product on rubber. I use silicone spray and haven't had an issue yet.

I wouldn't rely on my marina to install/remove plugs. Why can't you just take them out with the boat in the water, and then install them back when the boat gets put back in? It is perfectly doable this way, with no issues, I've had to do it a few times when I stupidly forgot to install them before launch.

I'd definitely pull them when not in use.

 

[robert843]

Welcome aboard!

1. I agree with the tech partially on this don't put anything in there if you in tough conditions and need to pull the plugs quickly to clear something the last thing you want to be doing is pulling things out of there to gain access to the plugs but if you do put stuff in there it shouldn't cause damage to the plugs.

2. With the newer plugs you don't need to lube them as long as you take care of them from the start and pull them after every use. You can pull and install your plugs when you stop at your marina it's fine to leave the boat in the water with the clean out plugs out just not ok to run with them out.

3. Similar to the above awnser you don't need locks on the newer plugs as long as your plugs are easy to remove and install. I will get lots of flack for saying this but I believe Yamaha is correct if the plugs are incorrectly they won't come out. I think most if not all plug blow outs come from plugs that are wore out and difficult to install or remove or not properly locked mostly due to what I just mentioned. If a 3 year old can't get your plugs in or out its time for a plug rebuild or time for locks because your asking for a blow out.

 

[Britboater]

1, The area is suggested as a "wet storage" and you will get water from you clean out plugs but make sure you check the tray. Mine and a few others came with no sealant meaning your boat will take on water.


2, I remove my plugs after every use because I want to hose/wash them so naturally I leave them out to dry.

3, I've purchase some EZ locks but yet to fit them, I'm on the fence with this one (first blow out and they'll be on no doubt) but being new I'm thinking they should work without issue for at least a few years.

 

[JDSCHMOO]

Take it from me, a blow out can happen. Yes, user error is the most likely cause. I'm pretty sure my blown plug was my fault. My Tru locks kept the plug locked and wedged in the hole, preventing it from breaking my hatch. It's just good insurance. Don't learn the hard way. I also have a nerf ball over both of my plugs to cushion it should it blow. I didn't for the first 4 years. Similarly, my trailer should never become disconnected from my truck, and my brakes should never fail, yet I make sure to hook up my emergency brake cable everytime I connect my trailer... similar concept .

 

[Kevin M]

Just like maintaining your battery's for extra life, the plugs are the same. Take them out after each boating session and lubricate the rubber at the very least during the off season, stored somewhere where it is dry. The one reason I don't store anything in that compartment is I am more worried about the item falling into the hole and hitting the release button on the plug itself. Ropes are one thing but I wouldn't want them getting in the way if I have to get back there while in the water.

 

[JKallay]

Put me down for the nurf football trick. I don't use a lock on my plug. If it blows, I expect the football to absorb most of the energy.

 

[Michael Strutton]

I wouldn't rely on my marina to install/remove plugs. Why can't you just take them out with the boat in the water, and then install them back when the boat gets put back in? It is perfectly doable this way, with no issues, I've had to do it a few times when I stupidly forgot to install them before launch.

I'd definitely pull them when not in use.

Thanks for the info. I leave my boat in a wet slip and the marina puts it in dry storage the next day (or end of the weekend). So it's not practical for me to pull the plugs if they have to drive it.

When I dock at a friends house to overnight I can pull my plugs but I guess I'll leave them on the swim deck. We typically have kids running around on the boats and swimming by the dock, so leaving the wet storage propped open with plugs laying sideways will likely mean a kid stepping on the storage cover and causing damage.

Everyone else, thanks for the advice on lube, footballs and checking for missing seals.

 

[Michael Strutton]

2. Plug lube. I use a lube that I got from my pool supply store. IMHO Vaseline would make a mess and any petroleum based lube would make the rubber seals swell.

I'm going to try this:
Lubegard 75200 Zer0 Pool and Spa Lubricant - 8 oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KCCT17O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_dQGLxb7BWAECM

Seems like a similar option.

 

[2nazt]

The plugs can sit in my boat out and locked and still close secure the access hatch. @Michael Strutton

 

[Michael Strutton]

The plugs can sit in my boat out and locked and still close secure the access hatch. @Michael Strutton

Ok I'll check, honestly didn't spend much time inside that compartment except for removing my ski ropes after being warned by the technician.

 

[mraz72]

I leave my boat wet slipped and I never remove the plug, is that a bad thing? Did it all last year and up until now this year, doesn't seem to be a problem...

 

[OrangeTJ]

I leave my boat wet slipped and I never remove the plug, is that a bad thing? Did it all last year and up until now this year, doesn't seem to be a problem...

If you don't pull the clean out plug regularly, you will find that you won't be able to pull it when you need to.

 

[BigN8]

In 6 years I have only had my plugs blow once. I am pretty sure I was in a hurry when I put them in and did a shit job of it. That is why they blew. I always remove the plugs after each outing and lay them across the top of the hole. I have never used any kind of lubricant or grease on the plugs. Never. In 6 years. They slide right in and slide right out with little to no effort. THE MOST IMPORTANT thing you need to do is after you install them, give the T-handle 3 hard jerks as if you are trying to pull them out. If they don't pull out, then job well done and you installed them correctly. Another trick I always do is after I drop them into the holes, and give them a quick wiggle back and forth just to make sure they are seated all the way down, then lock, and jerk on them 3X as hard as I can.

Also, I will give you a fresh crisp $100 bill if you can come back from a day on the lake and there is not water in that area and on top of those plugs!!! Very rarely have I seen that happen. Maybe in the Winter when we go out and no one is on the swim platform and we are cruising around the lake very slowly, then you may have a dry plug area, but never in the summer!!

 

[2nazt]

I leave my boat wet slipped and I never remove the plug, is that a bad thing? Did it all last year and up until now this year, doesn't seem to be a problem...

The plugs can get growth on them making them impossible to remove without damage, or when removed the growth will be around where the dogs seat and possibly causing a blow out. The water can cause plugs to swell. Or the growth you cleaned off your hull recently will be on plugs. It's a discussion point some do some don't. I just figure what will it hurt if you do compared to see what has it done to others if you don't. Hope that helps

 

[jcyamaharider]

Ok I'll check, honestly didn't spend much time inside that compartment except for removing my ski ropes after being warned by the technician.

So what do you do with your wet ski ropes after being done???

All of my ropes are in my wet storage area, and I bet I have more then most. No issues at all.

 

[Bennie]

I believe that our different few points come from where we boat in what type of water we use. For me my biggest concern is corrosion due to salt water exposure.

Once that calcification starts its hard to remove your plugs. Fresh water would be a completely different story. (lucky for you guys)