Look at this Bailer! Weird!

Stephen Chase

New Member
Hi Everyone,

Here is the bottom side of my cockpit bailer. Just bought this little boat on Memorial Day weekend and am going over it. Installed a new bow handle already now looking at the bailer but I can't figure out what/why someone did with it. Looks like they tried to seal it up? When you first put the boat in the water about a half inch of water comes in the cockpit but it never fills up. Maybe I just need to replace it?
 

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With your weight in the boat, the water will come up to an uncomfortable level. :oops: Even with two "turtle" capsizes in the last two years, I've found that the amount of water inside can be dealt with in about a minute.

Not finding parts for the inside of the standard bailer :confused:, I've sealed off my bailer from the inside with a neoprene "cork". I remove it when heavy rains are forecast, and the cockpit needs a "rinse". My next step is to buy a 1 and 5/16ths (inch) automobile replacement "freeze plug"—if they make one that big. (Maybe a smaller 1¼" freeze plug will work?) They have neoprene centers, and expand tightly with a wrench. Since my Sunfish is mostly stored daily on a wood deck, the outer part is subject to "fatal" fractures. :mad: Owning three Sunfish, spending $40 more than once isn't my game plan. :rolleyes: The below image shows the part I'm talking about:
Expansion_Plug_neoprene_rubber.jpg
 
Hi Everyone,

Here is the bottom side of my cockpit bailer. Just bought this little boat on Memorial Day weekend and am going over it. Installed a new bow handle already now looking at the bailer but I can't figure out what/why someone did with it. Looks like they tried to seal it up? When you first put the boat in the water about a half inch of water comes in the cockpit but it never fills up. Maybe I just need to replace it?
Yes, it looks like somebody tried to seal it, in a VERY unprofessional way.
I suggest cleaning the gunk out and reporting back to us with your findings for advice, if needed.
 
My 1969 boat was missing the plug to its old style metal bailer and I used a cork from a wine bottle and bailed with a cut off Tide bottle as needed. I now have a "working" bailer on my 1976 boat but I don't really feel it's any more efficient. Maybe I need to do some maintenance :)
 
I looked on Yankee's website and it lists a complete bailer for 1972 Sunfish and later but I'm pretty sure mine is pre-1972. Does anyone make them for older boats?

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I have one on my 1969 Sunfish. It went in without a problem. Removing the old bailer was the fun part as the old bailer was completly corroded/fused into one piece.
 
The bailer in my recently acquired 1973 boat is corroded into one piece also, going to marinate it with PB Blaster and let it soak for a few days. That stuff makes WD 40 look like salt water.
 
The bailer in my recently acquired 1973 boat is corroded into one piece also, going to marinate it with PB Blaster and let it soak for a few days. That stuff makes WD 40 look like salt water.

A friend in the boat business swears by Kroil. I've never seen it in stores to give it a try.
 
A few weeks ago I sailed in a borrowed early 00s boat and learned what a functional bailer is like. Spoiler alert: functional. Any idea where I should start looking for my problem? Little ball? Black gasket collar thing? I need to do research and attempt a repair.
 
Was the functional bailer worthwhile?

A kit with those items is available, and includes several of each. (I bought a kit—with hopes). :rolleyes:

Because two Sunfish are stored on docks, the bailer housing is easily broken, I've never sailed a Sunfish with a functional bailer—though I now have three Sunfish! One borrowed Sunfish is stored on a grassy shore, and the bailer fills up with grass and dirt when launching. :oops: That Sunfish I've never capsized.

Lately here, I suggested an expanding neoprene (1¼") freeze-plug" from NAPA, but another alternative is a plastic drain, which can be purchased to the right diameter, will fit snugly, and the shaft can be cut to a shorter, more efficient, length. (A hardware store item).

A neoprene "cork" can seal either end (or both ends).

P8110041.JPG
 
Well I had a perfectly functioning bailer till I tried to unscrew the top to put on a new cap. The plastic bolt head broke. I could leave it as is and just push the cap in when needed or try to fix. Can anyone confirm that the threads are not reversed?

I am not sure how I would have corrosion since mine is plastic. Boat is '76. Thanks.
 
T
Well I had a perfectly functioning bailer till I tried to unscrew the top to put on a new cap. The plastic bolt head broke. I could leave it as is and just push the cap in when needed or try to fix. Can anyone confirm that the threads are not reversed?

I am not sure how I would have corrosion since mine is plastic. Boat is '76. Thanks.
The thread is not reversed.
I hypothesize that age got the better of the plastic bolt.
:(
 
T

The thread is not reversed.
I hypothesize that age got the better of the plastic bolt.
:(
Thanks..I finally got it. Will need a new bolt unless jb weld/marine tex can fix it. But rest of bailer in really good shape..the little ball is a bit shrivelled but otherwise it's in really good shape for almost 40 years old.
 
Thanks..I finally got it. Will need a new bolt unless jb weld/marine tex can fix it. But rest of bailer in really good shape..the little ball is a bit shrivelled but otherwise it's in really good shape for almost 40 years old.
One can buy just the bailer cap (at places like APS).
 
A few weeks ago I sailed in a borrowed early 00s boat and learned what a functional bailer is like. Spoiler alert: functional. Any idea where I should start looking for my problem? Little ball? Black gasket collar thing? I need to do research and attempt a repair.

Which boat are you referring to and which problem?
 
Well I had a perfectly functioning bailer till I tried to unscrew the top to put on a new cap. The plastic bolt head broke. I could leave it as is and just push the cap in when needed or try to fix..."
Did you break off one or more of the "ears" of the bolt? I've done that, and continued with the old (plastic) bailer. (The way it was).
 
Did you break off one or more of the "ears" of the bolt? I've done that, and continued with the old (plastic) bailer. (The way it was).
Yep exactly. I was fixing some chips with marine tex and for the heck of it, tried it on the plug. It actually worked..I just put it back in.

I may try to find a new one later to be on the safe side but for now it's working and appears strong.
 

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