I haven't made a study of those seam edges of each of my three Sunfish, but it's possible that they all left the factory, "looking rough".Ahhh I just stuck my head in the cockpit and saw the rough edge where the deck and hull meet. How is it that this couldn't be repaired? Seems like there should be a few repair options. I could fill with tiger hair and smooth it out and make it water tight. I could also use some white silicone. I'll fix that right up!
I did the same, but had to go to my neighbor's shop to get a socket to fit the nut on the cockpit sole side. It was a weirdo size, that I don't remember now. But it wasn't something as simple as 1.25" or the like.A plus is that the original metal Depersia bailer is intact with all the pieces. Gonna take it off carefully and clean it up.
I have a socket that will fit. I may warm it a bit and spray it with some PB Blaster. Just warm not hot. The brass will move a bit and break any corrosion in the threads.
Although I appreciate a challenge I've spent too many hours in uncomfortable positions. How about I hang it upside down and just pretend I was bent like a pretzel for hours.
Both pieces of my two De Persia bailers are made of aluminum. The exposed portion of the plug still has the anodized finish of a gold-colored top. The pop-up style also is aluminum:mine body looks like aluminum or a cousin...
brass screw on plug, hoping one day not to lose. Although fresh water used, was a bear to unscrew after almost 50 years of use. But it works now. Have to be on a good reach for it to drain. Won't drain close hauled. Probably normal I would guess.