why do we use plugs in small boats

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Why do most smaller personal boats have holes that you need to plug before going in water?

I assume since we don’t permanently plug them since water inevitably gets in during operation that needs to be drained. Where does that water come from? Why is it designed that way?

In theory, if a boat that has removable is in water long enough without coming out to drain, would the boat sink because of the water that came in during use?

In: Engineering

7 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

The water comes from splashes, drips from ores, and rain, could be anything. This water needs to be removed for reasons such as the corrosion of parts that aren’t designed to be under water; preventing mould / algee growth from areas being left damp; or simply keeping your feet dry.

Boats are designed this way for simplicity and cost. Large boats have pumps to remove excess water automatically, but for boats and other small watercraft that aren’t designed to stay in water permanently, it is cheaper to just unplug a hole when done and reduces the complexity of the boat.

For your last question, a boat probably wouldn’t sink if in use for too long as the person(s) on board could deal with the water. However, if nothing was done about it, then it would depend on the design of the particular boat. What would happen as some boats are only buoyant because of the shape keeping water out, but some are constructed from materials that would still be boyant if filled with water.

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