I just discovered that one of the two hull plugs (big white rubber blobs under the rear crossbar) is missing on my P16. Murray's offers something they claim is a replacement, although it's nothing but a conic rubber plug. It looks like somehting that's dying to fall right back out just like the old one did. I plan to get that anyway, then drill out the center and use one of those spreading drywall/masonry anchors to spread it inside the hole so it does not fall out again.
However, I am not sure how to make waterproof the hole I will need to make through the plug to let in the anchor screw. I of course plan to make the hole smaller than the screw so there will be SOME seal, but is it sufficient? Also, I wonder if that hole is even connected to the inside of the hull - is it a separate watertight compartment? In that case, I could run the boat with no plugs at all and not have any problems.
Any information/suggestions/opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Your last sentence is correct. For the last 30 years I just use a piece of duck tape over that very small compartment. Pete
prindle pete
Hole is not connected, you can leave open, will collect some water, most will drain off. I tried those plugs from Murrays, dismal failure, one dropped out to be sacrificed to the sailing gods.
Thanks gents - that's $20 saved for some line replacement.
These pockets may not supposed to connect through to the inside of the hulls but 2 of mine do. I had to retrieve a nut dropped into the pocket from the inside of the hull the when I took my crossbeams off last... That being said cover the holes with bumper stickers and sail on.
Jeremy
Busted 1981 Prindle 18
Central Arkansas
Yeah! Bumper stickers! Totally doing that! I will check if my hulls have connection to these pockets before hitting the waves.
Anyone wants to suggest cool cat sailing bumper stickers? Like a sailor cat or some such?
OK, here are two options for a decal to cover up the hull plug holes on the P16 hulls:
Couldn't find any properly mean pirate cat images...
André de Bruin, Amsterdam,the Netherlands
P 18-2