Bailers for Enterprise dinghy
We recently bought an Enterprise built by Bell Woodworking sail number 8000 + and it has vertical conical self balers about 25mm diametre, does anyone out there no how these work, there seems to be no working parts? It is possible that these are damaged or have something missing, so does anyone know if are they still available and if so where ?
I guess they are metal coppery coloured with a plunger handle on the top. Fitted years ago to Fireflies and it would appear Enterprises too as the first type of self bailer. Push the plunger down and it works……well that’s the theory. However if you are not going fast enough they wont take the water out and as they don’t have a non return flap the water will come in fast. They are susceptible to damage. Modern designs of bailers are wedged shaped and will push up when you forget to raise them before coming ashore or pulling onto the trolley. Definitely a museum piece, though with a certain attractiveness to them. Will annoy you when sailing as on average they will fill your boat more than empty it, remember every tack or every time you slow down water comes in really very fast. Best to replace with a modern equivalent, on the basis you probably have moved on from driving a Ford Anglia.
I had one of these on an old wooden wayfarer, it was worse than useless! you had to be planing before any water would go out. take them out and fit something newer either plastic or preferable stainless steel.