Blanking plug geyser everytime!

[WalrusOctopus]

After every daysail or weekend trip we like to remove our removable thru-hull knotmeter/depthsounder transducer and put the blanking plug in. This way we can keep the transducer stored clean and dry between sails.
However, every time we do this- picture me with towels all round the open floorboard and my husband kneeling with one hand ready to pull out the transducer and the other ready to push the blanking plug in- the geyser that happens is incredible. Sometimes husband is able to squelch it with the blanking plug within a second and water isnt everwhere. Other times we have an inch of water all round and the settee and we are soaked.
Anyone have tricks or tips on making this process less of a soak?
Thanks.

 

[Marty Gingras]

Really should neither be much of a geyser nor much water accumulated. Certainly less than a gallon. More like a quart. Every time. If he's not, he should try putting a free hand over the thru-hull until ready to insert the plug.

 

[MagentaLine]

Airmars have a flap which significantly reduces the flow.

 

[Spreader Boots]

You do know the unit is designed to be in water. Is there a reason to remove the unit? I’d be more concerned about the plug you install failing and the boat sinking in your slip/mooring.

 

[ryley]

If your process is to remove the transducer, then in your off season consider replacing the thru-hull with one that has a flap. it will still let water in, but at a trickle compared to the full blast of an open hole. Short of that, it will always be a timing thing to get the blanking plug in as quickly as possible.

 

[Monkey]

You do know the unit is designed to be in water. Is there a reason to remove the unit? I’d be more concerned about the plug you install failing and the boat sinking in your slip/mooring.

Lots of crap and critters like to make their homes in the little paddle wheel. In some locations, it’s no big deal. In some it is. The blanking plug threads on, so it’s no more of a risk than the paddle wheel itself.

 

[WalrusOctopus]

You do know the unit is designed to be in water. Is there a reason to remove the unit? I’d be more concerned about the plug you install failing and the boat sinking in your slip/mooring.

The plug is made by the same company that makes that transducer for exactly that purpose so I think it is alright. My husband doesnt want any growth accumulating on or in it

Airmars have a flap which significantly reduces the flow.

I will check that out.

 

[WalrusOctopus]

If your process is to remove the transducer, then in your off season consider replacing the thru-hull with one that has a flap. it will still let water in, but at a trickle compared to the full blast of an open hole. Short of that, it will always be a timing thing to get the blanking plug in as quickly as possible.

Okay. Neither of us was sure if this was a thing or not to have it be such a wet job. Both his 2 previous boats and my 2 previous boats did not have removable transducers with blanking plugs like this boat came with,so we were unsure.

 

[WalrusOctopus]

You do know the unit is designed to be in water. Is there a reason to remove the unit? I’d be more concerned about the plug you install failing and the boat sinking in your slip/mooring.

The unit came with the blanking plug. We feel good about both the unit and the plug. I get what you are saying, though.

 

[Marty Gingras]

Taking them in and out for no significant reason (your reason) brings along a whole 'nother set of concerns:

unplugged

Major oops for the Moore 24 Pegasus in Santa Cruz. Apparently, they launched without the keel drain plug being put in. Either that or an O ring failure in the

sailinganarchy.com

Moore water in the boat?

This happens...https://sailinganarchy.com/2022/12/18/unplugged/ and not a peep on the forums. We are better (worse?) than this.

forums.sailinganarchy.com

 

[WalrusOctopus]

Taking them in and out for no significant reason (your reason) brings along a whole 'nother set of concerns:

unplugged

Major oops for the Moore 24 Pegasus in Santa Cruz. Apparently, they launched without the keel drain plug being put in. Either that or an O ring failure in the

sailinganarchy.com

Moore water in the boat?

This happens...https://sailinganarchy.com/2022/12/18/unplugged/ and not a peep on the forums. We are better (worse?) than this.

forums.sailinganarchy.com

Oops indeed. Our boat is not trailerable...so can't see this being the same kind of risk of trying to remember like you might have on a trailerable boat. Knock on wood!

 

[maxstaylock]

As a kid, I was taught to take my shoes and socks off for doing this, then you can get a perfect seal with your heal, to stop the geyser in-between transducer and plug. Plus has the advantage that your shoes and socks stay dry. Always keep some boat towels (retired bath towels) handy for cleanup, and a thousand other uses.

 

[WalrusOctopus]

You do know the unit is designed to be in water. Is there a reason to remove the unit? I’d be more concerned about the plug you install failing and the boat sinking in your slip/mooring.

The plug threads in just like the transducer does. They come as a pair and there is vert little ris

As a kid, I was taught to take my shoes and socks off for doing this, then you can get a perfect seal with your heal, to stop the geyser in-between transducer and plug. Plus has the advantage that your shoes and socks stay dry. Always keep some boat towels (retired bath towels) handy for cleanup, and a thousand other uses.

I like this! Thank you Maxstaylock!

 

[Monkey]

The plug threads in just like the transducer does. They come as a pair and there is vert little ris

I like this! Thank you Maxstaylock!

Just get the thru hull with the flappy bits. It removes all the drama.

Back when I used to actively clean boat bottoms, it was always hilarious to find the speedo on little used boats. It looked like the boat grew a tennis ball.

 

[DDW]

I solved it permanently with an ultrasonic transducer. Some people have had trouble with them, mine has been fine for 14 years now. No paddlewheel.

 

[Raz'r]

I might get a quart, there is splashing. I just make sure I'm in a good location and comfortable before I do it. If I'm reaching around a sail or whatever, it never goes well.

if I don't do it, I will have little growths almost like threads, jamming up the paddlewheel.

 

[Parma]

For sure it is scary opening up a hole in your boat.

On the other hand the pretty green color in the hole is pretty cool to see.

 

[Howler]

An additional angle on this: Each time you swap the sensor for the blanking plug, you get reminded of the breathtaking speed with which water enters through a 2 inch hole a couple of feet below the water line, which is motivation to maintain all hoses, through hulls, and other below-the-waterline fittings.

 

[Howler]

Airmars have a flap which significantly reduces the flow.

I've seen instances of the flap sticking in the open position due to accumulation of marine growth around the hinge.

 

[Se7en]

It's certainly a normal thing to do, I've done it on every boat I'v crewed on or owned.
With the flappy bits in the hole, I'm used to getting 1-2 litres of water in the bilge, and none on me. Not doing it particularly quickly, just one out and the other in. Takes a minute or 2 to mop up with the big sponge that lives under the floorboards for that purpose.