Could a brass garboard plug work its way loose and fall out?

My boat sits on a lift all summer. The plug is not reachable from the dock or boat, only by floating or swimming up to it and undoing it with a wrench. I don't typically check the tightness of it, why would I.. Never had an issue with a plug coming out.

This past weekend we dropped the boat in to head out for the day, after using it for the past few days (including the evening before) and the boat wouldn't plane, and belts started squeaking.

Shut it down and sure enough the bilge is full of water. Looked for obvious signs of hoses off, etc with no noticeable sign. Pumped it out, and headed back to the lift with the suspicion the plug was out. Sure enough no plug..

No sign of the plug lying at the bottom of the lake under the lift, but also hard to take a good look.

I'm only assuming that someone has come along and removed it. There is no shortage of louder boats on the lake right now and they have been the target of noise complaints.. I'd hate to think someone targeted my boat and taken then plug out. But its entirely possible. Combined with a small claims judgement against a local contractor that took money and didn't do work, its entirely possible it was intentionally removed.

Could have turned bad..its cold this time of year where we are, and small kids are always on the boat, including this time.

Never heard of one coming out on it's own. You are pretty lucky. I'm surprised your pumps were able to keep up.

Maybe a highly evolved specie of turtle. :

Damn. But wisdom says to take a peek at it before lowering boat. Ive never heard of one coming out on its own. So sounds intentional.

I's say someone removed it. Mine seems to get tighter after not removing it for any length of time!

A hex socket plug would be a little harder to remove, they need more than a crescent wrench.

Here's an example in stainless, brass is also available http://www.mcmaster.com/#4452k544/=14ker9g

You might want to rig a hidden trail cam out on your lift.
Padraig

I'd find a way to run 120VAC to the new drain plug....

There is no way it fell out. You were targeted, however malicious or benign their intentions.

I still find it hard to believe that (in todays world) a man would start a boat without opening the hatches. Maybe I'm unique. Sorry if I offended you.