New Sailor, Old Sunfish

JDRhodes

New Member
I'm new to sailing and bought a 1972 Sunfish to learn on. I would appreciate advise on the plug at the bottom (its only a hole now) and recommended videos and resources of sailing, maintenance and repair. I'm looking forward to this new adventure.

Jeff

IMG_7747.JPG
 
From where I'm sitting, it looks like a good find. :)

If you're lucky, that "hole" measures 1¼" in circumference. (Which means you won't have to remove the old and degraded metal- or plastic- "bailer" parts).

If you want to go sailing tomorrow, go to NAPA, and buy a $4.50 expandable "freeze plug". Install with the big washer inside the cockpit. Picture:
Look at this Bailer! Weird! | SailingForums.com

Given adequate time, there are two other choices:

1) Go to a forum online advertiser, and buy a replacement "plastic bailer". Starting with a fresh bailer, you'll need every piece (~$45), so I wouldn't try to economize with fewer/degraded parts.

I think the big rubber O-ring that the instructions tell you to install outside/underneath functions as a shock absorber, so keeping it installed reduces the chances of experiencing a bailer fracture and eventual disintegration :confused:

2) If at all "handy" with hand tools—locate, retrofit, and install the old-style DePersia metal bailer.
Restoring Metal DePersia Bailer with Plastic Bailer Parts | SailingForums.com

"Rigging" is especially important. Strongly emphasized with an arrow (below)—as it took me two years to discover it :oops: start here:

Fullscreen capture 432017 33744 AM.bmp.jpg
 
From where I'm sitting, it looks like a good find. :)

If you're lucky, that "hole" measures 1¼" in circumference. (Which means you won't have to remove the old and degraded metal- or plastic- "bailer" parts).

If you want to go sailing tomorrow, go to NAPA, and buy a $4.50 expandable "freeze plug". Install with the big washer inside the cockpit. Picture:
Look at this Bailer! Weird! | SailingForums.com

Given adequate time, there are two other choices:

1) Go to a forum online advertiser, and buy a replacement "plastic bailer". Starting with a fresh bailer, you'll need every piece (~$45), so I wouldn't try to economize with fewer/degraded parts.

I think the big rubber O-ring that the instructions tell you to install outside/underneath functions as a shock absorber, so keeping it installed reduces the chances of experiencing a bailer fracture and eventual disintegration :confused:

2) If at all "handy" with hand tools—locate, retrofit, and install the old-style DePersia metal bailer.
Restoring Metal DePersia Bailer with Plastic Bailer Parts | SailingForums.com

"Rigging" is especially important. Strongly emphasized with an arrow (below)—as it took me two years to discover it :oops: start here:

View attachment 22279
Thank you very much
 

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