by SUNBIRD » Mon May 18, 2015 4:14 pm
The 1" plug in the transom is at least a couple of inches above the aft part of the cockpit sole, the autobailer is on hte cockpit sole and will drain any rain that comes in. Yes, it does let in a bit of water while moored, but still well below the non-skid areas of hte cockpit, using the 1" plug to drain rain will leave a lot more water in the cockpit.
I leave the plug out of the autobailer while moored (my plug also broke off, but I found a 1/2" to 5/8" expansion plug like you bought works OK, but I use a 5/8" tapered rubber stopper instead (cheaper!). I almost never remove the 1" plug, it's kind of stuck in there anyway (not real sure what it's purpose is anyway? Maybe to speed up draining the cockpit after a capsize?). Anyway, I plug up the autobailer while sailing to prevent water from flowing in through that fitting and unplug the bailer while moored. Works pretty good for me! If I ever did take on any significant water while sailing, it is easy enough to remove the rubber stopper from the bailer (even though I have a floorboard that covers that well area to create a good spot to strap down my gas tank.)
I find it is easier to board my DS II fro ma kayak if I do so over the side, for many reasons, not the least of which are the boom crutch and the outboard mounted to the transom all season. I place the paddle in the cockpit of the DS II (or tuck it into the kayak.... depends on my mood) then slide out of the kayak and onto the side deck of hte DS II, then over into the cockpit. Boarding the kayak is just the reverse..... delicate, YES, doable? certainly, and I'm not as young as I wish I was! Hit the big 50 last Fall! I prefer to row out in our 8' fiberglass dinghy to my boat.... but a couple of times each season I end up going out to get something off my boat while I'm kayaking.
Rod Johnson, "SUNBIRD"
1979 DS II, # 10201