DaySailer.org Forum

Hi All,

Would it be possible (advisable?) to intsall a self bailer on a DSI?

Dave Keran originally had an automatic bailer on #316 and recently installed a single Andersen Bailer on #11026 on the port side under the Thwart connecting the Side Tanks to the Centerboard Trunk. Though not in the ideal fore/aft location (further forward would be ideal but hard to easily access) he said it works to remove the majority of water from the boat in most conditions. Dave reasoning for the port side is that he thinks one spends more time on starboard tack so the port side is the low side. Pretty straight forward installation unless your boat is a cored Rebel like #11026 and that requires additional care to insure that the core material is properly sealed.

Thank you, Mike.

Mike's reply to this is interesting to me. Last summer I inquired about installing an Anderson bailer. The feedback I got at that time was that they are somewhat prone to damage and are somewhat of an obstacle, especially for bare feet. Putting it under the thwart seems like a good location to avoid problems. Also, they are not considered reliable (even by the manufacturer) for a boat that lives in the water, rather than on a trailer.

KC

The Andersen (looked it up for the correct spelling) Bailer was originally designed by Paul Elvstrom (Sailing God & four time Olympic Gold Medal Winner). Stainless Steel construction throughout, very well built and bullet-proof. The only way to damage them is leave them in the down position when pushing your boat off the trailer or dry storage dock. Generally they won't leak unless tweaked or debris is stuck somewhere in the assembly that doesn't allow the bailer to properly close.

Mike, thanks for the additional info, including the spelling.

Last summer I had an occasion where I wished I'd gone ahead and put in a bailer. The lee rail went under and I came up with about 6 inches of water sloshing around in the bilge. Ended up being easier just to sail back to the dock, pull it up on the trailer, and train it that way. That day, even after pulling the jib down and spilling air with the main I'm sure he had enough headway to make a bailer work.

It doesn't take much for them to start working. Of course the faster you're moving the better they'll work. Just another tool to go fast! Dave Keran said he sure wishes he had one for 2009 NAC's at Cape Cod the first day that was really windy. He said he couldn't afford to have his crew Janette Zeman bailing all the water they were taking onboard as he needed her hiking and trimming to keep #11026 upright.

The prior owner installed 2 Andersen Bailers in my 1968 DS I and they work very well. They are positioned in the hull on either side of the keel-rail, perhaps 8 to 12 inches forward of the front of the centerboard trunk. Slots were cut in the floorboards to provide access and clearance for their raised handles when opened

They work very well... if I have standing water and open them while underway, one hears the sucking as water is drawn out. I do think two are needed to get complete drainage.

Forward of the Centerboard Trunk is the best as that is the lowest part of the boat but only available to the crew while under the thwart is available to both skipper and crew. Small trade-off under the thwart.

Do you have any photos of one of these installed on a daysailer?

I have a photograph of Dave Keran's bailer in #316 before he sold it last summer. E-mail me and I can forward it as I'm clueless on posting it here.

I sent you a PM