Well, after draining my hulls of water, I remembered to put the port plug back, but then I got distracted by ??? and forgot the other one.

After sailing across the bay, I noticed I was sitting real low to the water. Oops! I went back to reach and screw it in. Well, this is the most water I've ever let in, before I noticed. The water in the hull rushed to the back, and over went the boat(as in capsize). All sorts of antics ensued, involving enthused helpers and a flurry of boats. I'd have been better off being ignored and floating to shore, but their intentions were good and no damage was done.

I'm convinced I got to figure out a system to prevent from forgetting to put the plugs back in. (Something like clipping a laundry pin onto the main sheet.) Any clever suggestions?

I have checked my parents property over the years in the winter months and at times would get back into the car and wonder if I locked the door. What I found that helped is to use another sense. I now when I do the rounds audibly say that I am locking the door. So see, hear, say, and do.

Or maybe come up with a stupid question to ask yourself as you take off like "What floats your boat?"

People from MN aren't that bright. i do it to from time to time. just park the boat and jump in the water to install the drain plug. It's allot less of a hassel.

In the past, I've always been able to put the plug back without the boat tipping. So, I wasn't expecting this kind of trouble. As the boat flipped, I thought I'll never do it THAT way again. So, next time I will put it into the wind and swim to the back, then crawl back on the the non-waterbearing hull. But, I want to prevent forgetting, instead of correcting my stupidity. So far, the "clothes pin reminder" on the main sheet, is my best idea.

Tightening the drain plugs is one of the easiest things to forget. The first thing I do at the start of the day is to drain the hulls and tighten the plugs, before all the sails and gear are piled on the boat. Then that task is DONE! After that, I generally set the boat up bow to stern (snap in the wind vane, then raise the jib, then attach the jib blocks, then raise the main, etc.). If I follow that process, I usually do not forget anything. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

How about having a simple loop of string you could put them on, and put this around your neck when you head off to sailing, or start rigging..maybe put it on a loop with the box keys if you have. This way, they'll be dangling aroung your neck until you put them in. Only thing is that you would have to get into the routine of putting them back on the loop afterwards <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
I once asked a friend to put them in <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> This resulted in a lost plug and the boat drifting to the far shore before being drained and sailed back with a plastic bag to help <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />
Clint

The problem with having something to remind you of the plugs is you also have to remember to reset the reminder - now you've got one more thing to remember. May I suggest having someone else inspect the boat before launching, much like having someone else proofread. Otherwise, you may want to keep two spare plugs in a parts bag hooked onto the tramp lacing to stop the leaking in case one of the forgotten plugs also falls out.

yup, you're right. One more thing to remember <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
You can't also have someone else check your boat. One, you'll look a bit silly the 4th time you ask the same guy. A mental check list for one self is prob the best:) Or at worst, right down a list and make sure to read it before launching.
Clint

Been there, done that.
I once forgot both plugs and only realized it when the boat started becoming REAL unstable. Luckily a willing speedboat towed us to shore.

Since then my plugs are attached to the rudder pins by means of a small length of string.