In a message dated 10/25/1998 4:06:03 PM EST, pjunold_at_daimi.au.dk writes: << how come we're not all sailing around with such a self-bailer? It appears to me, that this is the perfect way to empty a kayak. >> A self bailer is, among other things, a "hole in the hull" of a boat. One thing all holes in hulls have in common, they let water IN as well as let water OUT.. Even when closed, they leak water INTO the hull thus creating job security for themselves. Maybe not when new, but sooner (or if you are lucky) later they begin to leak. They also create drag, a small amount, but drag none the less. All in all, they are a pain unless like specified on racing hulls, they serve a specific purpose. Any shipfitter will tell you that where "things" go thru hulls below the waterline, problems arise. Most self bailers I have seen for low speed boats consisted of a little scoop like thing in reverse that pivoted on a hinge pin. Let this thing come apart and see how fast your boat fills up with water through that 1" X 2" hole.! Don't get me wrong, nothing is better than a dry bilge on any boat, but to cut a hole in the bottom of my kayak to let the water out? I don't think so! I'll take a break and pump it out or sponge it out rather than cut a "hole in the hull". And remember! The Titanic was an unsinkable boat with a "hole in the hull" below the waterline! John *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Sun Oct 25 1998 - 13:34:01 PST
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