makenmend Posted March 18, 2013 Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 what if any bailer to install in the core sound?? the Anderson if shown in the plans, what are the alternatives in cost and effectiveness?? MM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Garland Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 There really is not a good alternative, it was designed by Paul Elvstrom, the Great Dane who won 4 gold medals in the Olympics, and it works very well. We can sell you one at a discount at www.hallspars.com or call 401 253 4858 x 1521 Phil Garland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Lathrop Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 Phil is right and after seeing other attempts of bailer design over the years since Paul first designed his, I also agree that there is no better one. They work well and with reasonable care will do so for a very long time. Main things are to keep dirt out of the seal and never, never ever push the boat off the trailer with the bailer in the down position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garry Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 The Andersen is great but once it's damaged it won't stop leaking. It's easy to forget to close the bailer which you leave open to drain any rain water when it's on the trailer. Push it off the trailer with the bailer open and it may never seal right again. One alternative is the drain plug. You can put one in the transom but it won't get all the water out. Or you can try adding a small block of wood at the back of the centerboard trunk. You should be able to get it to drain properly as long as you're moving. Unlike the convenient Andersen, you won't be able to open or close with your foot. The one I used came with a brass thimble that I epoxied into the boat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makenmend Posted March 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 I'm assuming that when you refer to making sure the bailer is closed before backing boat off trailer that would be due to fouling/hitting parts of the trailer, with my set up there will be no such interference. If left open will the boat backfill or does it have a one way system. Have gone ahead with ordering the new large bailer, after advise from Phil Garland. MM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Lathrop Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 I'm assuming that when you refer to making sure the bailer is closed before backing boat off trailer that would be due to fouling/hitting parts of the trailer, with my set up there will be no such interference. If left open will the boat backfill or does it have a one way system. Have gone ahead with ordering the new large bailer, after advise from Phil Garland. MM That's right. The Andersen bailer is great but not perfect and it will surely leak past the flap if left open when the boat is not moving so it should always be closed before launching. A transom drain plug is a good idea even if you have a bailer but it will not work to let water out while sailing. The purpose of the drain plug is to drain the boat in storage or cleaning when it should be stored bow up to allow any water to exit the transom. Graham's boats (when practical) are designed to hold the transom clear of the water while sailing and the plug is of no use then since the transom should not be the lowest point of the boat. It is of even less value in sailing a lot of water out after a capsize. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinoyPiper Posted March 20, 2013 Report Share Posted March 20, 2013 I used a Riley RM180, the older version without the plastic, mainly because I found one at a good price on ebay. I was supposed to install it on my nesting spindrift but I figured I'd probably need two of them, so I just kept it until I got around to building a core sound and put it on there. It works pretty well. I have a friend who has an Andersen on his CS17 an his sucks a little faster, but not by much. The Andersen is easier to install though. 4 years on the boat and it hasn't given me any problems, considering it was already used when I got it. but hey at $14 it was a good deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garry Posted March 20, 2013 Report Share Posted March 20, 2013 Just to clarify, MM did ask "what are the alternatives in cost and effectiveness?" I agree that the Andersen bailer may be the best option but its is not the only option. The drain plug is cheap and can be made to work at the boat bottom, not only at the transom. The drain plug certainly would not be as effective as an Andersen and wouldn't help much after a capsize. But with a little ingenuity, it can work to slowly self-bail and be effective for small volumes of water. My Spindrift is stored on deck top side up so I needed a drain at the bottom. One weakness for the Andersen is it's designed for an actively sailed dinghy. If you ever plan to leave the dinghy in the water overnight or longer, you may NOT want an Andersen since even when new it shouldn't be relied on the be watertight. If you plan to use the dinghy when cruising, I would not recommend an Andersen. A drain plug can be relied on when properly installed and tightened to keep water out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Lathrop Posted March 20, 2013 Report Share Posted March 20, 2013 Ok, maybe I am flogging a dead horse here. A properly installed and maintained Andersen bailer will not leak. I put one in BRS LOON in 1984. Since then the boat has sailed and cruised extensively with no problems that I am aware of. Three weeks on the eastern coast of Baja being the longest camping cruise while carrying all the gear and stores needed for two people. You can read about it on the B&B website. I have left boats on mooring many times with Andersen bailers. Southern Skimmer and Lapwing spent three days sailing and anchored in the water at the 2009 Small Reach Regatta in Maine with no issues. I don't think either Graham or me would build a small sailboat without one. One on or near the centerline at the lowest point is all I ever use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garry Posted March 20, 2013 Report Share Posted March 20, 2013 Good for you. Sorry, my experience was different. Maybe I should have replaced the bailer. Just trying to cover the range of options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makenmend Posted March 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2013 Folks many thanks for your input, making desitions such as this, is far more comfortable with expierenced input. MM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makenmend Posted April 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2013 OK now in possession of a new Large Bailer, being in the midst of moving all my tools and equipment are now in East TX so install will not happen until early next month with moving behind me. Question this item comes with cut out template but no instructions, outside mounting is stipulated but what's best gasket sealing or sealant ?? and once again cutting a hole in the bottom just goes against the grain MM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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