Replacing self bailer

Michael Owen

New Member
Here's a question for the experts on Sunfishis:
My self baler, which I have never had to use, on my 1974 'ish boat has finally corroded so much that the 1-1/4" nut that holds it in place fell apart. The baler is still staying where it should be but it could fall into the sea. I see a water spout situation possibility.
I don't really need the baler. So.........Does anyone have any ideas how to, and with what. to replace it with a permanent bung? Maybe a old fashioned pot mender?
Thanks for any suggestions, Mike in Malta.
 
My bailer is original but the little valve ball spends most of it's time in the down (open) position, with no waterspout issues. Maybe a pint of water gets in. When I removed the bailer to clean and reseal, I noticed a real hull leaker potential where the cockpit floor and hull come together at the bailer hole, so I sealed the heck out of that area. I sealed the divide with silicone but poly-resin or epoxy would make it permenant. You could probably find a rubber stopper that size at the hardware store and eliminate the bailer. The water is only going to come up to the hull water line anyway, which ain't much.
I think the idea of that bailer is to stopper it once the cockpit is bailed. Since it's the only thing protruding from the hull, it's asking for abuse. Thinking of redesigning mine.
 
Here's a question for the experts on Sunfishis:
My self baler, which I have never had to use, on my 1974 'ish boat has finally corroded so much that the 1-1/4" nut that holds it in place fell apart. The baler is still staying where it should be but it could fall into the sea. I see a water spout situation possibility.
I don't really need the baler. So.........Does anyone have any ideas how to, and with what. to replace it with a permanent bung? Maybe a old fashioned pot mender?
Thanks for any suggestions, Mike in Malta.
Mike, I'm no expert, but recently went through this on an old boat. The venturi housing on the bailer was cracked away so rather that pay 40 bucks for something I don't use I decided to fill in the hole. What I did was: clean up the hole; tape over the opening on the exterior with mylar to create a smooth surface; filled the opening with fiberglass by layering cloth pieces and resin; sanded and painted. I figure if I ever decide I need it it would be a simple matter to drill out the hole. Until then I will be using something called a cutoff milk jug bailer. These run about $3 and are widely available.
 
My bailer is original but the little valve ball spends most of it's time in the down (open) position, with no waterspout issues. Maybe a pint of water gets in. When I removed the bailer to clean and reseal, I noticed a real hull leaker potential where the cockpit floor and hull come together at the bailer hole, so I sealed the heck out of that area. I sealed the divide with silicone but poly-resin or epoxy would make it permenant. You could probably find a rubber stopper that size at the hardware store and eliminate the bailer. The water is only going to come up to the hull water line anyway, which ain't much.
I think the idea of that bailer is to stopper it once the cockpit is bailed. Since it's the only thing protruding from the hull, it's asking for abuse. Thinking of redesigning mine.
My bailer is original but the little valve ball spends most of it's time in the down (open) position, with no waterspout issues. Maybe a pint of water gets in. When I removed the bailer to clean and reseal, I noticed a real hull leaker potential where the cockpit floor and hull come together at the bailer hole, so I sealed the heck out of that area. I sealed the divide with silicone but poly-resin or epoxy would make it permenant. You could probably find a rubber stopper that size at the hardware store and eliminate the bailer. The water is only going to come up to the hull water line anyway, which ain't much.
I think the idea of that bailer is to stopper it once the cockpit is bailed. Since it's the only thing protruding from the hull, it's asking for abuse. Thinking of redesigning mine.

Thanks for idea/s. I did fix it. I bought two 1-1/4" stainless washers, one 1" S.S. Dome head bolt, one S.S lock nut and one smaller washer.
Managed to get the baler assy out, cleaned up the hole, installed the washers, bolt and nut and siliconed the crap out of all.
Works excellent, no leaks or protusions in side the boat.
 
Thanks for idea/s. I did fix it. I bought two 1-1/4" stainless washers, one 1" S.S. Dome head bolt, one S.S lock nut and one smaller washer.
Managed to get the baler assy out, cleaned up the hole, installed the washers, bolt and nut and siliconed the crap out of all.
Works excellent, no leaks or protusions in side the boat.

Great solution--better'n mine, which has a plastic lid inside, and a decent fit of another plastic lid outside. 'Wish I'd thought of it...
P5120018.JPG
--I have all those S/S parts in my garage!:oops:
 

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