Masthead Bouyancy

Originally posted by I luv Wight Originally posted by Medway Maniac If boats were just designed with much less buoyancy off the centreline they'd float lower on their sides when capsized with lots of hull immersed, and a) drift much more slowly, b) allow you to climb on the c'board more easily, and c) have less tendency (or need) to invert.   The Optimist is designed exactly like this - easy to right, easy to get in, stable when righted (full of water), but of course then you need a big bucket!

Well theres the answer lets all get oppis

Originally posted by JimC Originally posted by English Dave You have mentioned this before on other threads, Jim and I'm curious to know what boat it was that got away from you. The worst experience was in a Cherub, but I've noticed that a Canoe will get away too. Bethwaite says that he started making sure his boats inverted by design after two fatalities in Port Philip bay in Aus, I think in Moths. But any boat with sidetanks will blow away reasonably fast : try it in a Force4 in anything you care...

I think I've read through every issue of all the sailing mags in Australia in that period, and yet I have never seen the slightest reference to those fatalities apart from those made by FDB. Frank is a man of honesty and integrity, of course, but until more evidence comes to light it may be asked whether this was a rumour he heard, rather than a fact.

Originally posted by English Dave From memory the Stratos has an open transom but also has "flood tanks"which enable the boat to sit lower in the water when on its side. The idea being that it would be easier to climb onto a lower centerboard. As soon as the boat is righted the water drains from these tanks into the cockpit and out the back.

Yep. They make it hard to right and also have stuctural issues according to some people I've spoken with if those tanks are allowed to completley fill - the inner bulkheads can't stand the pressure and so leak. From my experience of Stratos' I don't think it's unlikely. I've also righted a Stratos and had to hang off the trap wire at full stretch for about 5 minutes whilst waiting for the water to drain from the tank. I really don't like the idea of having enclosed water free to move around in a boat. If the buoyancy isn't needed don't enclose the space.

By the time both crew surface, make contact with each other and check where the boat is, it is very possible to end up 20 yards away.  

Maybe mast head floats are ok when used on small inland waters with rescue cover.   But out to sea in a decent breeze, in a boat where you may have to look after your self, then no way.  And a single hander with a mast float in these conditions - mad.

 

Originally posted by JimC Originally posted by English Dave thrown 20 yds from the Cherub? Yep. neither of us had contact with the boat.

Thrown 20 yards ... come on 3-4 yards perhaps ...

Even on the 18ft'er vids they don't go that far on a major wipe out ...

Rick