Masthead Bouyancy

   Our Club is considering fixing masthead buoyancy to its hire fleet.  The fleet comprises of GP14s, which tend to turtle.  The rest are singlehanders including Comets, Laser and Toppers which don't.  There are also some old Zephyr (aluminium hull tender type boats with topper syle rigs) which are difficult to capsize, but when they do from memory are a bit unpredictable.  

Is there a suitable bespoke product out there similar to what one see's on the top of holiday fleet Cats?  Would prefer something more professional than tieing on plastic containers.

Views or shared experiences would be most welcome.

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The Moo Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 01 Jun 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 809	Post Options Post Reply Quote The Moo Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Masthead Bouyancy Posted: 30 Jan 07 at 1:17pm
	Our Club is considering fixing masthead buoyancy to its hire fleet. The fleet comprises of GP14s, which tend to turtle. The rest are singlehanders including Comets, Laser and Toppers which don't. There are also some old Zephyr (aluminium hull tender type boats with topper syle rigs) which are difficult to capsize, but when they do from memory are a bit unpredictable. Is there a suitable bespoke product out there similar to what one see's on the top of holiday fleet Cats? Would prefer something more professional than tieing on plastic containers. Views or shared experiences would be most welcome.

getafix Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 28 Mar 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2143	Post Options Post Reply Quote getafix Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Jan 07 at 2:44pm
	the key point here is "hire fleet" - you are right that tying on plastic containers doesn't look great but they pretty cheap and very low maintenance - there's a lot of sailing schools out there still doing it for those reasons ....
	Feeling sorry for vegans since it became the latest fad to claim you are one

robinft Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Far too distracted from work Joined: 18 Jun 04 Location: Thorpe Bay YC Online Status: Offline Posts: 252	Post Options Post Reply Quote robinft Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Jan 07 at 3:24pm
	Have a look at the float that Laser offer on their new Bahia.

Guests Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Quote Reply Posted: 30 Jan 07 at 4:20pm
	Had a look at Masthead floats last year and bought the Crewsaver 9 litre jobby for our Laser II. It didn't stop inversions particularly with a wind against tide situation, the best it did was slow them down very slightly. The RYA 2005 paper on dinghy entrapments makes an interesting read :- "30 – 40 litres of air at the masthead appeared to prevent inversions in a range of boats and conditions during trials, with no evidence of masts breaking. The impact on sailing performance is minimal for basic training and coaching. Undoubtedly significantly less buoyancy would be effective in many boats, but a fast windward capsize can result in very rapid inversions. 20 litres was insufficient on many classes." Crewsaver do a 40 litre one but what that would do for performance or rigging on a dinghy I don't know.

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6662	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Jan 07 at 4:41pm
	The other thing you need to consider is that if you are sailing on open water then masthead floats dramatically increase the risk of the crew losing contact with the boat after a capsize, since in a reasonable breeze the boat will blow downwind faster than someone can swim. This has happened to me, and since the nasty fifteen minutes I spent in the Solent watching a boat drift half a mile or more away from me I will never again have a boat that doesn't invert within reasonable swimming distance. (And many thanks to Gosport Inshore rescue)

The Moo Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 01 Jun 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 809	Post Options Post Reply Quote The Moo Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Jan 07 at 5:47pm
	We sail on a puddle so drift not an issue. Would want to keep things looking professional so as not to put the punters off, hence the request for info on a bespoke solution.

radixon Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 27 Oct 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2407	Post Options Post Reply Quote radixon Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Jan 07 at 6:12pm
	It may be a more expensive option, but you might have to get a laser sail "made" to incorporate a flotation device. The track run sails, ie the GP14 can be modified easily using the Crewsaver option with a tiedown point riveted to the mast.

49erGBR735HSC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 30 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1991	Post Options Post Reply Quote 49erGBR735HSC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Jan 07 at 8:01pm
	The majority of masthead floatation devices which I've seen on boats such as the Topper range (Omega) etc, Laser Stratos don't work. Our local sailing school puts inflatable bouys on the top of their Omega masts as they know that the masthead bouyancy devices designed into the boat don't work. The Stratos float was just a hassle whilst raising the sails and didn't really help keep the mast floating.
	Dennis Watson 49er GBR735 Helensburgh S.C Boat Insurance from Noble Marine

MRJP BUZZ 585 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 05 Mar 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1496	Post Options Post Reply Quote MRJP BUZZ 585 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Jan 07 at 9:06pm
	I have two milk containers tied to the top of mine, may not look pretty but is a cheap option, it doesn't stop the boat turtling but does considerably slow it down
	Josh Preater BUZZING IS FUN

craig-m Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Newbie Joined: 28 Oct 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 34	Post Options Post Reply Quote craig-m Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Jan 07 at 9:14pm
	A contender sailor at our club tied a 5 litre squash bottle to the top of his mast. I can't remember if it stopped the boat turtling completely but i know it helped him alot!
	RS300 406DERBYSHIRE YOUTH SAILING Burton Sailing CLub Sailing: The only sport that's called off for nice weather