Canoe/Kayak drains and plugs.

Ken C.

Ken C.

Jack of all trades, master of none.
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Over the course of my 38 years I've had a vast array of canoes and kayaks. One problem that was inherent in both vessels is the losing of drain plug. It was guaranteed that every trip on the water I'd lose one. At the time I always had spare but the cost added up. Recently on a search for a new drain for my canoe I found this:

The Stopp.It

It uses soda/water bottle caps to replace the standard screw in plug. I always have water bottles with me and they are relatively cheap. I can throw a few caps in my tackle box and I'll never have to worry about the fear of losing a plug.

They are currently shipping to the US but at a cost. I'm going to see if I can do a group buy here to cut down on shipping cost.
 

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Ummm... drain plug? Am I missing something? :confused:

I don't have a lot of experience with kayaks, but in 30 years of canoeing I have never seen a canoe with a drain plug.
 
I've seen drain plugs on kayaks. Not so much on canoes but in my case a drain plug is a bonus. I have a 16ft flat stern. I canoe into remote places to camp and my canoe is fully loaded. Sometimes the water gets a bit rough and I get water in the bottom. Rather than unload the canoe and load it up again I can simply run it to the shore and drain it which makes it a whole lot easier.

To each their own I guess. Just because you've never seen it, it doesn't mean that there is not a need for it. Bilge pumps? Bah! They require work. ;) When the day is over and I load it up I'll simply unscrew the cap and let them drain out. My canoe weighs a ton. Flipping it over is a pain in the butt.
 
Ken,

I'm interested. Please keep me posted.

I have a 15' Grumman SportBoat that doesn't have a drain. It weighs 110 Lbs and isn't all that easy to flip.

I've been procrastinating about adding a drain for a year or two. That one looks pretty idiot proof. Should suit me well :cool:.

Thanks,
Chris
 
That is a pretty neat idea.

I bet for a couple bucks with some pvc glue, an old boat drain, and a water bottle, you could probably make your own.
 
I just carry a big old car washing sponge in my Wenonah to sop up any water. Those things can slurp up a ton of liquid.
 
I'm surprised no one just uses a valve or a one way valve. You could completely eliminate removable parts with a simply 3/4" valve.
 
I've also been kayaking and canoeing for more than a few decades and have never used a drain plug.
It does make sense, I guess, so you don't need to use a sponge etc when you can't flip and clean your canoe or kayak, but it certainly isn't common up here and the prospect of an accidental scuttle creeps me out a little.
 
I've got plugs on my WW boats, but never seen them on any other canoes/kayaks. Interesting, but I'm of the "fewer holes, the better", school of thought:D.
 
Ken you are the best!. My kayak did not come with one and needs one(badly). I have been using the see saw method and a synthetic shammy:D
 
Let me know who wants one and I'll place an order.

Send me and email.
 
I might be interested in buying some Ken. Do you know what the diameter is?
 
A 3/4" hole is needed. I will be contacting the vendor today is everyone sends me a count.
 
OH nuts--- ok 3/4 is too big for me, but thanks I think its a great idea
 
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