Drain plugs for small sailboats from RWO, Allen, Beckson, Ronstan, and more.
West Coast Sailing carries a variety of drain plugs for small sailboats. These plugs are used to help drain small amounts of water that may accumulate while sailing. They are also useful to regulate air pressure if your boat is sitting on land in the heat. At first glance they may all look similar, but there are subtle variations in size, housing and threading. Read on for our insights on how to choose the right plug, what measurements you need to account for, and some tips on installation. All plugs work pretty much the same way, so you can't go wrong!
Which drain plug do I need?
When replacing an existing drain plug, it can be difficult to know what plug is in your boat. Different manufactures have used different drain plugs across model years, and used boats may not have the same plug today that was installed at the factory. Thankfully, with few exceptions, the majority of dinghy drain plugs offered by West Coast Sailing share nearly identical screw hole and plug hole spacing.
If you are unable to identify the exact plug in your boat, we recommend you purchase a new drain plug (one with the housing!) and simply replace it, documenting which version you've installed in case you need a replacement. Buying two drain plugs when you go to replace one is a great way to think ahead as well.
How do I replace a drain plug?
A typical drain plug has two pieces - the housing and the plug itself. Depending on the exact drain plug, sometimes the plug can be removed from the housing, whereas other times a keeper makes this more difficult (but helps prevent losing it). To replace a drain plug with housing, typically you'll need to back our the two screws holding the housing in place. If installed well the first time, there should be sealant around the holes that may need to be cut away. To install a new drain plug, apply sealant to the backside of the housing, specifically around the main hole and the two screw holes. Use your existing hardware to attach. New sealant, such as West Systems 5200, will do a great job of holding the plug into your hull, but using the screws is recommended in addition to the adhesive.
