---

On my 13 foot Whaler which I trailer I can just lean back from the helm and pull the plug and having taken water over the transom that's exactly what I've done. I use the type of plug with the screw in/out shaft to swell the rubber rather than the lever type. I have the diameter adjusted do it will easily pull out but not pop out on its own. My Montauk 17 stays in a slip so I have one of those Rule automatic pumps that makes a test every minute or two looking water. I have had that system for three years now and even leaving the boat for three weeks doesn't seem to effect the batteries ability to start the engine. Someone gave me a 500GPH Sahara pump with a built in float and I think it would fit but the Rule is so small I'm sticking with it. Only problem with bilge pumps on Whalers is you have to remember to leave them set to auto or if you have enough rain it could fill the boat to the gunnels.