40 More Handy Tricks

Step 8 Plastic Funnel Bilge Plugs

These have the same intention as the tennis balls in the previous trick. Australian Maritime Museum 2004. Notice the automatic bailer vents in the second picture. When they're opened they suck water out the bottom.

The tennis balls in the previous trick probably do both jobs as vents and plugs.
Does anyone know?

Comments

[cofosho]

Oops. Didn't see this as I read down. Yes, they act as external plugs primarily, with a secondary function of an autobailer (see last post). Our new 420s have autobailers (I think). They tend to be a pain if they break, which happens a lot at our teaching-oriented sailing club, Hoofers.

Note that the hulls are hollow, so there are other threaded plugs to store air and later to relieve air pressure when back on land.