Folks, I have not installed a plug on my Skerry for years and am considering doing so, as I’m tired of sponging of water after coming back from a sail and needing to hose it down due to lake mud or debris.
The boat sits on a trailer and the low point seems to be just aft of the daggerboard bulkhead, under the daggerboard seat. Would that be a good location?
What type of plug would be wisest? I bought the brass plug from CLC … I believe the one used by CLC on the Peeler. Would that be ok on the skerry through the bottom of the hull?
What is the wisest procedure to install? It is raised so I assume I won’t be able to drain all of the water, making it a moot point. Not enough material to screw it in place. Right now, I use a 1500 gps portable bilge pump to suck the water out, but can’t get the last 1/2 inch as the pump sucks air and cavitates. Are there totally flush plugs?
Do I need to cut an oversized hole, fill it with epoxy and silica mix, red-rill to size and install the plug, or do I need to re-inforce the area with glass or extra ply? Do I use marine silicone or caulk?
Open to suggestions if you have done such install. Thank you, in advance. ~ Eric
You might consider an Elvstrom / Andersen bailer. https://www.ronstan.com/us/andersen-bailers There is a small lever that sticks up above the floor level of the hull, but probably no more anoying than a bailer plug at the same location anyway. Advantage is that only a square hole need be cut in the boat bottom to install (edges of cutout will need to be well sealed with epoxy before installing bailer). Then you use caulk and gaskets to install bailer. The hull would need no extra modification or renforcements (thickening wood plates or anything). The bailer allows virtually all water to drain out (rim is probably only 1/8 above hull). You could plan to keep bailer closed unless and until boat is on the trailer (so long as there isn’t a trailer support directly below the bailer) and/or - also use it as designed: venturi effect sucks water out of the boat is you are moving along at about 3+ knots. When moving very slowly, expecially if rocking and rolling, the bailer can let in a small amount of water even though it does have a metal flap to prevent water from coming in. These bailers are VERY commonly used by dinghy sailors. If you do take water aboard while sailing, you’ll appreciate the extra convenience/functionality over a standard drain plug that can oly be opened ashore.
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Forgot to add - the super-mini or super-medium would be right for the Skerry.
Thank you kindly for the link and self bailer information; it looks like the way to go. I like that it shouldn’t protrude by too much compared to a drain plug.