Uncle Al,  Here'e the "low-down" on fixing Andersen/Elvstrom bailers. This is off a 505 site, but should be useful to us Wayfarers also.  I've also listed a US supplier of replacement gaskets for these bailers too. I found the gaskets in mine were quite "crispy' and compressed after eight years. The Scandvik site has great close up pictures of the bailers for easy model indentification.

I followed the directions below and had mine out in ten minutes, while the boat was on the trailer.

Cheers,

Craig Stebbins
W893

From     http://www.int505.org/

Subject: Maintenance: Elvstrom/Anderson Bailers

Shona Moss asked,
"Is it possible to remove and replace the moveable part of Elvstrom/Anderson bailers without taking the whole casing out of the bottom of the boat?"

This is an excellent question, as leaky bailers are almost a given if you have an older boat. Racing in light air in a boat that is slowly filling with water is quite frustrating!

Yes, you can remove the valve - the inner moving part of the bailer - if  that is what we should call it. First, simply remove the wire bale (handle) that locks the bailer closed by pulling the end out of one of the holes at the aft end of the bailer, remove the plastic insert between the two ends, and, after twisting the bale around a bit, remove the other end. The central piece that I am calling the valve can then be pushed out the bottom. Some models of Elvstrom/Anderson have a retaining tab. If you look at the valve, you will see a little "tab" at the top of the back. If you straighten the tab with some vicegrips or similar tool, you should be able to push the valve part out the bottom.

There is a small plate at the forward end of the bailer that locks the valve onto the flange by wrapping around the forward edge of the flange. If you wanted to replace the gasket, you are now ready to do so. If you wanted to replace the valve, you still have to buy the whole replacement bailer unit, but at least you don't have to tear off the old flange and seal in the new one. In my experience, bailers rarely leak at the flange. If you are lucky, you can straighten the inner part now that you have it out of the boat, and put it back in, without having to go and buy a new bailer.

When you are putting either the (fixed) original valve, or a new replacement in, use some soap to lubricate the flange and valve. The valve goes in the reverse of how you took it out. Push the front of the valve into the flange, pushing it as far forward in the flange as you can. Then push the valve up into the flange, and re-install the plastic insert and the bale.

By the way, there are several models of Elvstrom/Anderson bailer. You need to describe what you want fairly carefully when you order it. Many 505s use the New Large for the larger (usually aft) bailer.

Dave Stetson / stetson.1@osu.edu
and
Ali Meller / alimeller@aol.com
 _____________
 
Anderson Bailer Suppliers

Annapolis Performance Sailing: online retailer-replacement gaskets  - type in the word "bailer" in the search option

 
Scandvik- marine wholesaler: good close up pictures of Andersen bailers for easy ID  http://www.scandvik.com/
- type in the word "bailer" in the search option on the lower left