self bailer repair - polypropylene float ball replacement

[nance]

I replaced the self bailer on my daysailer II about 10 years ago. It's worked fine until one of the brass prongs that keeps the float ball in place bent. I can repair/replace the prongs, but the polypro ball escaped. I just need to know the diameter of the ball, so I can replace it. Thanks - N

[nance]

I finally spoke with Rudy over at DR marine, and he guesstimated the balls to be 3/4 " in diameter. I ordered them from a plastic company found on-line (I now have 100, at 8cents each), and it seems like the right size. Let me know if you're ever in a similar predicament, and I'll send you a polypropylene replacement.

[Roger]

I have the metal DePersia bailer and I removed the steel pitted ball years ago. It seems to drain better at speed now, but of course without the ball it fills when standing still. I don't have the old ball here as it is sitting in the bosun box in the boat, but if you would measure the exact size of the poly prop ball and post that here, I will compare that to what I have the next time I go down to the boat.

[SailorGuy]

I'm restoring a 1975 DSII (Gold Fleet), "Rybaiyat II" that has the older metal bailer. I haven't launched the boat yet and I'm still trying to figure out a few details. The boat sat in a boatyard for 10 years under a decaying boom tarp. Miraculously, all three drain plugs survived. When I remove the self bailer plug, I can't see a ball. H'mm. If the ball is replaceable, I'd like to know. I would also like to obtain a spare plug -- weird size: 11/16ths. Can't find it at local WM or other chandleries here in Annapolis.

Spoke with D&R, but they only sell the plastic replacement unit. I'd like to avoid that job if possible. Please post here if you have a source for the plug or generally about maintaining/replacing the metal bailer. Thanks.

[Baxter]

Sailorguy, Ace Hardware stocks both plugs in their fastener dept.
they have the transom and the hull drain. Both are the right size, I'm using them now, and cheap.

[Roger]

if you need to replace the plug in the de persia bailer, just use a wine cork. A DS II owner in a sister ship carried a bag of corks in the cuddy, and replaced them as needed. It did the job, and drained quicker than the original set up. He also removed the ball, which improved drainage significantly.

[bkafer]

The ds 2 is suppose to be self bailing when it sits at the dock.
Mine has sat behind a garage for the last 7 years and I've been getting it ready for the spring.
The bailer hole was filled with old pine needles. I took the shop vac and placed it over the hole and out came the needles and the ball.
I got the ball back from the shop vac, BUT if it just comes out, then It will never stop water from coming in.
I also have the screw in plug for the bailer so I can sail the boat.
Is it worth my time to try and get a working bailer?
The boat will be left in the water for a few weeks at a time and I'll be 100 miles away so I can't check on it except on weekends.

[Roger]

The de Persia bailer works by venturi principle only when the boat is moving. It will not self bail at the dock or mooring. (It also sounds like the ball has shrunk or the cage holding it has disappeared, but that is a different issue). The second hole about 4" up the transom is the mooring drain for when it is left on the water. Close the self bailer at the mooring but open the mooring drain. The rainwater/waves/splash etc will enter the cockpit but only to the level of the mooring hole, then will drain. The sump at the back of the cockpit collects debris, as the cockpit is tilted slightly back when there is no one aboard the boat. The hole of the mooring drain is very close to the waterline so as soon as you step aboard, water will start coming in. Plug it and bail, or start sailing, and open the de Persia bailer.

As indicated earlier, the ball in the de Persia bailer was designed to prevent water coming up during slow speeds, but in actuallity it does not work well, if at all.

Check the first two pictures in the gallery for these two separate drains with two separate functions. gallery/search.php?user_id=4