Self-Bailer on Trinka 8' Dinghy

[Skipper J]

Hi,

Do any of you have a self-bailer on an 8' Trinka dinghy? If so, how well does it work? I'd tow the Trinka behind a boat that only has a hull speed of 5.2 knots, so it seems like it is right at the point where it would function. I'd replace the bronze drain with an Elvstrom self bailer, as they were the original model the manufacturer used. Wondering if I'll kick myself for not doing it while I have the dinghy up on stands for painting.

Thanks,
Skipper J

 

[dLj]

I have a Trinka 8 but it doesn't have the self bailer. Honestly, I think it would only be useful if you were sailing it a lot as a sailing dinghy. Not being used as a tender. I've had self bailers on other small boats - you would open them when sailing and going fast enough. You'd have to remember to close them when slowing down too much. I've also had the kind with the floating ball in them that are supposed to close when the boat isn't going fast enough. I've had mixed success with those.

Just my 2 cents worth.

dj