Hi Guys,
I need some help please ! I ordered two auto-bailers for my new gas cat but the supplier here in South Africa is out of stock. All the photos I've seen simply show a small round tube with what looks like a ball inside and a pin to stop the ball rolling out, but I don't know what is behind the ball, or the matrial of the ball, or the shape of the tube.

I have a fairly well equiped workshop including a lathe and could probably make up two bailers if I just new how they worked and how they are constructed.

Could anyone supply me with a drawing or even a clear description which will help me to be able to make my own.
Thanks and kind regards from the sunny city of Cape Town in South Africa.
Wennie.
I've tried to attach a photo of the layout in my cat.

I have made my own in the past...maybe I will make a few more and take pictures along the way and do a short article on that.

In short, you want the ball to seat on a small Oring inside the tube. Machine a groove for the Oring or simply glue it in at one end. Insert the ball and cross-drill the tube at other end for a small pin to prevent the ball from coming out. I used small cotter pins so I could open them occasionally to clean any dirt that got inside. You can put a small screen on the end if you want. You can get all the parts from places like McMaster-Carr. The balls I used were plastic. Orings, natural rubber, SS pins and aluminum tube. Make them the size you want, just match everything up!

Hope this helps.

Hey Marc,
You run a great site, I visit every day. Thanks for the description and I certainly can make something up from what you've provided. I'm therefore assuming that when the boat stops, the water tries to flow in and thereby pushes the ball against the o-ring and that prevents water entering the hull. Amazingly simple ! I somehow thought there would be a spring behind the ball.
Thanks again,
Wennie.

No spring! Just the ball pushing against the Oring like you said. A lightweight ball helps, that's why I use plastic.

Hi Wennie

Got my auto bailers in Jburg. Here is there web site.www.hobbycentre.co.za/

why not just drill a hole at the top of each corner, instead of using autosinkers?

Some people like the auto-bailers. I am no longer a huge fan but on some builds I will still use them.

Hi Nimbus,
Unfortunately Gary confirmed just three days ago that they are out of stock ! You probably got the last one !

Hi Will,
I would if that would solve the problem. My boat runs very flat , and very 'wet', It takes in about a liter of it's own spray in a matter of minutes, and thats with the canopy on ! So auto-bailers are a must !

Why is it taking in so much water though? This looks like a Stryker cat? Typically the boat should not be running wet. Maybe the CG is too far forward? Just asking...I know this is beside the point, but still curious. If it is running that "wet" you are maybe not getting the optimum performance from it. You might still have a lot of speed left in her!

Hi Guys,

I try to draw a isometric model of baller.
Very important to find a very clear round ball.
The rubber ring is fix with glue.