Hull drain

Submitted by Heinzir on Fri, 08/04/2017 - 04:07

Forums:

I am considering adding a bailer to my boat but find the Elvestrum ones to be a bit expensive. Has anyone used a Sunfish or Laser bailer to good effect?
I don't think I really need the self bailing feature although that might be nice to have. What I want is some sort of drain to let accumulated rain water out of the hull or to completely drain the boat when hauling out after a wet sail. I think the typical fishing boat drain plugs would protrude out of the bottom too far and would weaken the hull too much.
Suggestions?

sail_and_oar's picture

sail_and_oar

Tue, 08/08/2017 - 17:56

Consider an Andersen Mini bailer. These come in two types, those fitted from under the hull and those fitted from inside the hull. I fitted the type from inside the hull about 15 years ago and have had no problems or regrets. If cost is a problem a second hand one from a scrap boat may well have many years left in it. Most sailing clubs have a collection of scrap plywood hulls waiting to be burnt in a corner somewhere.

http://www.marinesuperstore.com/deck-hardware/bungs-and-self-bailers/and...

I put mine under the thwart, next to the centreboard case. Make sure you cut the hole an inch or so away from the centreboard case so as not to interfere with the fibreglass tape.

Cut the hole undersize and enlarge it carefully so the bailer fits nicely. Make sure it is the right way round! (the little flap faces aft). Drill the six mounting holes. Coat the exposed end grain of the ply with paint, varnish or epoxy resin and let it dry. Coat the flange of the bailer with silicone sealant, fit it into the hole and insert the bolts. You'll need a friend to put the nuts and washers on while you crawl underneath and hold the heads of the bolts with a screwdriver. Clean the excess silicone off with white spirit and a rag. Put your tools away and go sailing.

Cliff

Heinzir

Thu, 08/10/2017 - 17:14

Thank you for the reply. Unfortunately I am located in the midwest of the US, near Minneapolis. Wooden boats are a rarity here. I doubt if there are more than 3 or 4 Mirrors in the entire metropolitan area! Minnesota is the "land of 10000 lakes" and there are many thousands of boats but 99.99% of them are fiberglass!
The Marine Superstore link shows a reasonable price for the Andersen bailer but shipping to the US is 30 pounds! I will check eBay for used bailers.
Is the Super-mini the best choice? What is the difference between it and the regular mini bailer? And the "Special"? Is inside or outside mount preferable?
Thanks!

Henry

sail_and_oar's picture

sail_and_oar

Fri, 08/11/2017 - 16:47

From what I gather, the mini is the outside mounted type and the super mini is the inside mounted type. Here they are;

http://www.marinesuperstore.com/deck-hardware/bungs-and-self-bailers/and...

http://www.marinesuperstore.com/deck-hardware/bungs-and-self-bailers/and...

Cliff

elbsegler's picture

elbsegler

Mon, 08/21/2017 - 11:43

Hello Heinzir,
I´ve mounted bailers from the outside, because i had them (old scrap plywood boat...), but therefore you have to remove the deck layer of the plywood, or you will have a step in the surface of the hull. So I think super mini should be your choice. I didn´t use Silicone but Epoxy with filler and it´s 100% watertight.
Greetings from Hamburg
Ferdi

Annie

Tue, 03/19/2019 - 22:29

I’m a relative beginner unsure about cutting holes in the hull. It’s counterintuitive!
However, I see potential benefit but am wondering if one is enough or whether you need them either side under the thwart i.e. either side of the centrecase.
Perhaps it’s better to fit a bilge pump; either hand or electric obviously the latter needs a battery, switch and hose.
Any views?

David Cooper

Wed, 03/20/2019 - 19:48

A simple hand-held bailer may be all you ever need. A self-bailer is useful in rough conditions and for making sure a parked boat doesn't fill up with rainwater (so long as it isn't sitting on the trolley support which can prevent it being opened). Two self-bailers are useful when racing in wild conditions, but the main point of them is that it frees you up from bailing by hand so that you can sail fast 100% of the time. You may never need them, so it might be best to see how well it goes just with a hand bailer (and a sponge to finish the job when parking the boat).

Annie

Wed, 03/20/2019 - 21:19

Thanks David......just thinking out loud.
Not intending to race, just cruising with the odd overnight though I am eventually planning to sail the Caledonian Canal which can under certain conditions be quite exposed.
I’ve seen other Mirrors cruising using either a manual bilge pump, an electric bilge and David (Curlew) has both available. I think for now I will hold off cutting holes in the hull and try a manual pump.