Etchells bung help please

[greasy al]

The bung for my Etchells is not standard. I assume whoever originally owned it had the bung hole made larger than standard for better drainage. I don’t have any particular issues with it but I only have the one bung, and would like to get some spares made.

Can anyone give me any advice or info on what the bung has been fashioned out of- that is, does it look as though a standard bolt or rod has been modified, or whether it look more like a one off custom job. 
 

Some pics attached. No Mould 11 jokes ple….. ah fuck it, you’re going to make them anyway.

Beef out.

 

[mgs]

Neither would be my bet. 
google o-ring boss and then get some calipers and figure out the thread pitch. Or take it to a hydraulic shop and see what they say, other than the o-ring should be replaced. 

 

[phill_nz]

fit a new one

https://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=SB_20220129030014&SearchText=boat+bung

 get 2 so you have a spare onhand

 

[PaulK]

Is it class legal to have a non-standard bung?  Wouldn't think so; they're very picky.

 

[Captain Jack Sparrow]

Is it class legal to have a non-standard bung?  Wouldn't think so; they're very picky.

The class doesn't say anything about the dimensions or source of it- probably because its considered an optional fitting. 

D.10.1 Fittings (b) Optional (17)  Drain hole in bilge closed with a screw-in plug.

There are some boats that exist without a drain plug at all. I've never seen an O-ring on any of the boats I've been under. All those plugs have been bronze. 

For what its worth, I have a similar dilemma and Ontario Yachts will send a new plug for $20+ shipping apparently. If you have an Ontario boat/ are in North America they may be able to help. If you're outside of NA then a local solution would probably be more cost effective.

 

[Quickstep192]

It’s hard to be sure from the picture, but it sure looks like it could be 3/4” pipe thread. Here’s a similar plug available in a variety of sizes. 
 

https://www.titanfittings.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=SS-6409&gclid=CjwKCAiAl-6PBhBCEiwAc2GOVCw7qJYEUtxfXBem6mJGvjBtl8yxVmNcPhO-efEX1_2_dsq-iP3ZFBoCnKsQAvD_BwE

As an alternative, an expansion plug would certainly be a capable spare.

 

[Captain Jack Sparrow]

It’s hard to be sure from the picture, but it sure looks like it could be 3/4” pipe thread. Here’s a similar plug available in a variety of sizes. 
 

https://www.titanfittings.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=SS-6409&gclid=CjwKCAiAl-6PBhBCEiwAc2GOVCw7qJYEUtxfXBem6mJGvjBtl8yxVmNcPhO-efEX1_2_dsq-iP3ZFBoCnKsQAvD_BwE

As an alternative, an expansion plug would certainly be a capable spare.

View attachment 489466

Good thought, but not feasible for an Etchells.

For those who don't know, the Etchells bilge drain comes out of a sump above the keel and exits the side of the keel. It's meant for keeping the bilge free of water when the boat is on a trailer, as most of them are dry sailed. The plug is screwed in from outside the boat, it about 18" below the waterline. 

If you look at the terrible picture attached, theres a vertical line on the side of the keel. That's staining from water running out the drain hole. 

 

[CaptainAhab]

Is it class legal to have a non-standard bung?  Wouldn't think so; they're very picky.

In AU we use Ronstan bungs. We use those because we use them on all of our boats down here. And we don't give a fuck about their rules.

 

[SEC16518]

Pretty sure the bung holes on the 11 boats are slightly larger from the pounding they have been getting lately…..