Drain Plugs....Dealer removed and did not replace! Whose responsibility??

Hi! We have a 2014 Moomba Mojo. The same dealer services it every year. We have had no problems. Our son used it for the first time over the weekend, after getting it summerized. Long story short, after about 30 minutes the speed dropped to only 7 mph. The boat was taking on water. By the time he got out, the water was about 10" deep in the engine compartment. Fortunately he was close enough to the boat ramp to get back to the ramp and get the boat out of the water before it was too late. The drain plug at the back of the boat, underneath the platform, was in place. However, the center drain plug (accessed from inside the boat by removing a floor panel) was not.

I was so mad I decided I wanted a face to face discussion with our dealership. Service Manager had to leave early so I talked to the sales manager. It didn't take long before he told me it was the owner's responsibility to check to make sure the plugs are in. For one, we were never even told that there was a second drain plug (the center drain plug) so how would we know to check it? Two, the dealer has been the only one removing and replacing our drain plugs for 5 years. We rarely have even touched the exterior drain plug in the back. Why after 5 years are they telling us now it's our responsibility to check, when they have been putting the plugs in and out without us even asking?? I know, liability.

Am I crazy? Doesn't it make sense that if the dealer services the boat, takes the drain plugs out, they should put them back in?

To top it off, the dealer's mechanics did not tighten down the knob/bolt on the tower (on one side) that they used to allow the tower to be pulled forward. Our son found that before we left the dealership. I brought that up, as well, and I was told that's our responsibility, too! Yes, we should check the tower connections, but again, if the mechanic is going to pull the tower forward, when he puts it back in place, he should tighten the bolts/knobs back down.

Would love some feedback. I am pretty mad at this guy. I am hoping my conversation with the sales guy goes better tomorrow. I did not even get an apology

I don’t give a shit who winterized a boat. You should ALWAYS check all the plugs are in place before you drop it in...And check there’s oil in the motor too. Those two items as well as running the blower before you start it are 100% necessary and practically overlooked by every boat owner.

Save yourself the headaches, and it’s only common sense.

I do t know if you have any recourse in this case.


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Your boat came with an owners manual, if you guys didn't take the time to read through it to familiarize yourself with the boat, that isn't on the dealer. I am fairly certain the center T plug was probably either attached to the steering wheel or in the driver cup holder. It sucks that this happened, but you can only really be upset with yourself.

At our dealership they have signs that the plugs have been removed and that it is your responsibility to make sure they're replaced. Their concern is if it rains then the boat could get flooded while in the shop.

That said they and I always remove the center plug. Only once have they removed the rear plug and left it in a swim platform cup holder. Long story short I also got back on the trailer in time lol.

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I guess a lesson learned to also pay attention to the bilge pump (sound or water coming over the side) or the light on the bilge pump switch.

I own a Supra, but I assume that year has a bilge pump in the center section. I did that years ago but I noticed mine before I took it off the trailer. So no big deal. Dumb of me for rushing to get the boat started that spring.

Drain plugs are boat 101. Sorry but a missing drain plug is on you. Own it and move forward.


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Originally Posted by larry_arizona

Drain plugs are boat 101. Sorry but a missing drain plug is on you. Own it and move forward.


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This


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i would say its YOUR responsibility. Not the dealer.

Sorry to have to pile on, but 100% your fault. Not only did you not know that there are 2 drain plugs you did not teach your son that there is not 2 drain plugs and you did not teach your son that the 1st thing you check is that the drain plug is in. My 9 year old daughter and 11 year old son both ask me when you are putting in..."Dad did you put the drain plug in?"

I clicked expecting to read about block plugs. Drain plugs are 100% your responsibility and should be on your pre trip inspection every time out.

Fuel level
Engine oil
Trans oil/fluid
Plugs
Blower
Your friends snacks

Should be checked before every trip.

Thank-you for the constructive feedback. We learned our lesson. Yes, we should have read the owners manual and we did read many parts of it. Enough said about that. I find it interesting for 5 years the dealer has always put the drain plugs back in. In fact, the back drain plug under the platform was in. Center plug was not. For the first time, EVER, they are telling us it's our job to check the drain plugs.

No need to tell me again it's our responsibility. I get it, I have let go and am moving forward. As a courtesy, I would expect the dealer to communicate. Even if its in the manual. Probably would save more than a few from this experience. Thank-you, again. Have a great boating summer.

It doesn’t change the fact that the boater is ultimately responsible to check first, but I’m very surprised the dealer did not zip tie it to the steering wheel. That is certainly the professional thing to do in my opinion.

If it makes you feel better\worse...my dealer reminded me 5x when I bought my boat about the center plug....and the drain plugs are zip-tied in a bag to my steering wheel at winterization.


Really glad you got it onto the trailer though!

I won't beat the dead horse on who's ultimately responsible. my bigger takeaway was the op's perceived lack of caring about the issue from the dealership side. granted we're only hearing one side of the conversation with the sales manager and there's always 3 sides(his/theirs and somewhere the truth) but here was a missed opportunity as a retail manager to help make a customer happy which at some point could lead to a trade in of the mojo toward a max.
my gut would be this experience does sour the relationship a little. maybe not to the point that the op seeks another mechanic but when trade time comes they do have a longer uphill battle than if they would have helped the op.

as a sales manager, show some empathy, offer to pass the feedback on to the shop manager and perhaps a free towel or discount on something.

At least it was the center one, that one at least someone can stick their finger in the port to stop the leak.


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Originally Posted by kpastrick

Thank-you for the constructive feedback. We learned our lesson. Yes, we should have read the owners manual and we did read many parts of it. Enough said about that. I find it interesting for 5 years the dealer has always put the drain plugs back in. In fact, the back drain plug under the platform was in. Center plug was not. For the first time, EVER, they are telling us it's our job to check the drain plugs.

No need to tell me again it's our responsibility. I get it, I have let go and am moving forward. As a courtesy, I would expect the dealer to communicate. Even if its in the manual. Probably would save more than a few from this experience. Thank-you, again. Have a great boating summer.

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Just curious, I see your location is Cleveland OH, where is the closest dealer up there?

Sure makes sense to me!

Buckeye Sports in Peninsula, Ohio. 30 minutes from Cleveland

Now that is great customer care/service!

Agree! I talked to the service manager, today. He was much better about taking care of me and explaining things. He basically said there is no easy answer but agreed there needs to be better communication. The sales manager handled the situation poorly, service manager was very good. I care more about him then the sales guy when it comes to our boat.

In our discussion he told me the majority of boats have center plugs. However, I grew up with Glastrons and raised our family with a Glastron. They do not have center plugs. If they had, I would have definitely know better.

Thanks

I bet you will read the owners manual cover to cover now...lol


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I am impressed that the bilge pumps kept up.

Probably not a bad plan to have a spare plug in the boat.

Worse case, I would get the boat on plane and that would minimize water coming in as well as hustling to the dock.


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My dealer has a massive sign as you're leaving their parking lot warning you that they have removed your drain plug and to reinstall before entering the water. Glad you got it back in the trailer. A good lesson learned and I doubt you'll ever make the mistake of not checking it before launching the boat. Boat on and don't fret over it we all make mistakes :)

40 hours in, I have removed my drain plug one time.

In the fall I powerwashed my seadek, pulled both plugs when it was dry, put them back in.




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You got that right, Larry! Have a great summer.

Thank-you!

Craz only has one rear plug.


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Originally Posted by Stazi

Craz only has one rear plug.


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No there’s a center T handle too.


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Wow. I’ve never seen it. How do you get the that one?


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Originally Posted by Matt0520

No there’s a center T handle too.


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+1, there is a T handle under the center hatch right next to the helm!

Mine has been in since the day i brought the boat home and after 120 hours has vibrated so tight that I can't removed it!

OK so I just went to the boat, and looked in that access hatch. I’ve looked in there 1 million times to check the level of the center tank and never saw the handle, because it was perfectly obscured by the ballast hose! I had to get a small adjustable wrench in there to loosen it first, because it was super tight. I removed it and was able to drain a bunch of water that was in there. Learned something new!


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That’s a good one to remove as it’s the lowest point in the boat! I usually leave the stern plug in.


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To those of you that never pull your plugs how do you get all of the water out of your hull and keep it dry? I always pull the T-Handle Plug when I get the boat out of the water (have never pulled the rear plug). There is never much water in there but I don't want any water sitting in my hull for an extended period of time.

I don’t have any water in my hull.


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my last boat got water in the bilge due to some duma$$ leaving the shower on(ya, that was me) and it filled up the bilge. took me 2 outings to figure it out.
beyond that my last 2 boats have never had a drop of water in the bilge. current boat has 5 outings and bilge pumps have never been on. not even sure they work.
supra prior had water in the bilge when the packing went bad but otherwise stayed bone dry.

I'm with larry in that we don't ever have it there.

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Originally Posted by sandm

my last boat got water in the bilge due to some duma$$ leaving the shower on(ya, that was me) and it filled up the bilge. took me 2 outings to figure it out.
beyond that my last 2 boats have never had a drop of water in the bilge. current boat has 5 outings and bilge pumps have never been on. not even sure they work.
supra prior had water in the bilge when the packing went bad but otherwise stayed bone dry.

I'm with larry in that we don't ever have it there.

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Mine is never dry.. Go figure.. Lol

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Originally Posted by TXSurf4

I always pull the T-Handle Plug when I get the boat out of the water (have never pulled the rear plug).

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This!!

Stazi, I am blown away that you did not know that there was a T-handle drain plug in the bottom on the hull.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by larry_arizona

I don’t have any water in my hull.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by sandm

my last boat got water in the bilge due to some duma$$ leaving the shower on(ya, that was me) and it filled up the bilge. took me 2 outings to figure it out.
beyond that my last 2 boats have never had a drop of water in the bilge. current boat has 5 outings and bilge pumps have never been on. not even sure they work.
supra prior had water in the bilge when the packing went bad but otherwise stayed bone dry.

I'm with larry in that we don't ever have it there.

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So I am curious and just ahead of time I am not being argumentative just really curious but where is any water that people track in your boat going or if someone spills a bottle of water? Do yall ever rinse your floor? I have not had enough water to kick the auto bilge on as that takes a decent bit to float but I think it is safe to say at times I have had maybe a 1/2 gallon of water at my T-Handle Plug...... am I in the minority on this?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TXSurf4

So I am curious and just ahead of time I am not being argumentative just really curious but where is any water that people track in your boat going or if someone spills a bottle of water? Do yall ever rinse your floor? I have not had enough water to kick the auto bilge on as that takes a decent bit to float but I think it is safe to say at times I have had maybe a 1/2 gallon of water at my T-Handle Plug...... am I in the minority on this?

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Ditto for me, I’ve kicked it on manually and it’s run for 10-15s or so. Especially after surfing (rails are buried in back, roller washing up against boat, etc)

And when I pull it at the ramp more always drains out the T handle hole


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Mine regularly dumps out water when I’m surfing, after I stop. I think it’s a leaking ballast hose somewhere. I tried seeing if it’s the dripless packaging, actually dripping, but it’s almost impossible to see without ballast, and definitely iimpossible to check with ballast filled


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