🚀 go-pugleaf

> >           I don't want to start an arguement, but, what do you think is the
> > TRUE meaning of a self- bailing cockpit or bilge??  Does it mean:
> > 
> > A).  If I pull out the drain plugs on ...
> > whatever, the cockpit will fill with water to a certain level, and , once
> > the water level equalizes , and the freeboard is hopefully not compromised
> > too much, all water flow should stop.  ...
> > 
> >              ---------- O R ----------
> > 
> > B).  If the boat fills with water for whatever reason ( .. ) , I just start
> > the engine, or raise the sails, get going at a good clip, and pull the drain
> > plugs.  ...
> 
> My Sunbird Sail boat has a third.  When I am sailing fast enough and
> water that enters the cockpit will run out.  This is done by a float
> ball in a chamber on the bottom of the boat.  When the boat is going
> to slow the ball floats up and blocks a hole in the bottom of the boat.
> If I go fast enough, a vacuum empties the chamber (it is open only to
> the stern of the boat) and water will run out of the cockpit though
> the hole.  Now that's self-bailing.
> 
> 	Steve Schwarm
> 	linus!axiom!scs

Normally, a true self-bailing cockpit is one whose floor is above the
waterline of the yacht, such that any water in the cockpit will happily
run down the drain holes.  Paul Elvstrom developed the idea of a
hydrodynamic self-bailer with a non-return valve, like the Sunbird
mentioned above, that will provide self bailing when the boat is going
fast enough.  These do not, however, meet IOR or most other offshore
requirements for self bailing.  The most obvious examples of true
self-bailing are ocean racers whose cockpit is open to the sea at
the stern, preventing any water being trapped in the cockpit and slowing
the boat.
-- 
Mike Taylor                        ...!{ihnp4,hplabs,amd,sun}!amdahl!mat

[ This may not reflect my opinion, let alone anyone else's.  ]