Expanding rubber bung - water ballast vent

[Charlie]

Hi all - first posting by me, sorry if I get it wrong.

I bought a 2002 Macgregor 26x in the Spring this year & Ive been having a great time getting to know her.
I keep it on a mooring in SW England - and rely on the water taxi to fetch me after a sail.
Water taxi arrived early - I was rushing to get packed up and stowed away .... when I dropped the expanding rubber bung from the water ballast vent over the side. Dont ask me what it was doing in my pocket - I emptied the tank on my way back home and must have put it there for "safe keeping".
Anyone in the UK know where I can get a replacement?

Great site - thanks for all the help.
Charlie

[Sloop John B]

Don't know too much about 'bungs' yet, but check the other low lying boats in your marina and see if they plug up the transom with a similar bung. When they are beached or trailered, the bung is pulled to let the sea water out. Especially the little fishing craft that litter the beach. If you find one similar, ask him where he got it. Most likely a store that sells marine parts and stuff.

[kmclemore]

Your local ironmonger might have one, or if there's one nearby, one of those large DIY home centres will certainly have it. Look in the bins of parts near screws, bolts, etc. or in the plumbing department.

Failing that, a marine store will have them for smaller boats - they are often used to plug the transom drain in a rowboat.

[Catigale]

These are pretty important and you should carry a spare, so buy 2 i fyou have lost yours...

Ask Chip what happens if you sail without it...

[kmclemore]

Most have a ring around the top lever, or at least a hole. Might be a good idea to attach a teather so it never wanders to far from the hole?

[Craig LaForce]

https://www.saltydogmarine.com/product_ ... 2fe1f7a13f

Not sure which size it is.

[Charlie]

Thanks for the help - especially the link Craig, which was exactly what I need. My challenge is that I was hoping to sail next week & I cannot find a UK stockist. Im off to the DIY shed and see what I can put together.
Thanks again - first mod on this boat is to tether the plug / bung !

[Max]

Charlie,
you can get a bung like this from any chandlers. Got my spare from one at Stourport, on the River Severn.
My Mac is at Barmouth, North Wales on a swinging mooring. Give me an email or message if you are up that way over the summer!
Max

[Mork]

Charlie

These are ten a penny on ebay and most chandlers. Ill see if I can find a link for you.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/STAINLESS-STEEL-B ... dZViewItem


You may need to check the size but I think this is it.

Also we keep the bung in the splashguard when not it use and we have never lost it.

By the way I keep my boat on the trailer at Calshot and go down most weekends.

[Morimaro]

Charlie,

have replaced my bung a couple of times and got them from the chandlers (Shamrock Quay and Aladins Cave) but have seen them all over the place.
We also just leave ours rolling about in the splashbucket when not plugged in but if you wanted to be double covered drill a small hole near top of splash bucket and tie bung to it

Cheers
Morris

Yarmouth IoW

[Charlie]

Thanks all - got there in the end. The local Chandlers did sell the plug after I had managed to explain what I needed. He produced a box of stuff from the top shelf and there was a spare. He clearly did not know what a MacGregor ballast tank was though and I didnt explain too well.

Thanks everyone.

To the UK replies - I will reply off line. I do get to your areas and will give you a shout next time!

Charlie