Hi, everyone, my real name is Steve, and I just came into a 1980's Daysailer II. A previous owner had (I kid you not) fiberglassed around the cockpit bailer, and filled the hole with JB weld or caulk.
I pried away the fiberglass but could not get the plug removed, so I cut it off with a hacksaw, and cut the bottom piece off as well. So now, I have the aluminum shaft still in.
I saw this post about slicing the shaft in half, and prying it out.
http://forum.daysailer.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5477&p=30813&hilit=Bailer#p30750
But I have a question. Is the shaft epoxied in? I tapped it with a hammer, but it does not move at all. Do I need to remove it or can I install a new bailer over/through it? Can I consider the edge of the shaft where it touched the fiberglass watertight, or just too tight?
Thanks and nice to meet you.