Designers

+1

Another way to inhibit a tendancy to invert is to 'seal' the mast.   Not easy with alll designs but we use it on the Blaze - the halyard runs down the back of the luff track and the standing rigging is all attached externally.  The mast then provides an element of +ve buoyancy when the boat is on its side - plus the Blaze floats relatively low as little of the volume is in the cockpit sides.  However the mast must still be able to drain at the base as a small amount of water must be expected to get inside if you do invert  .. the top is a long way down etc !

It is more difficult with multisail designs or with carbon masts which need the halyard to run internally.  We wanted a similar inhibition to invert with Icon.  The hull hjas low volume again in the cockpt sides but Icon has a carbon mast so we do  run the main halyard down the inside BUT there is an epoxy plug at the masthead and we drill a hole that just allows the halyard to just get through - and with very little tolerence !  The standing rigging is all attached externally as with the Blaze and the jib halyard returns down the jib luff ( It has a 'zip-up' jib).  So water does not get in very quickly and gives a lot of extra time for the crew to right the boat before inversion. 

If you have a heavy alloy mast with lots of holes or even a heavy high volume carbon one with lots of holes inversion is much more likely - keep the volume low (ie ' as in a skinny mast') and the boat is also much easier to right even whan it fills. 

The other think I've noticed is that square top sails or ones that have a goodish  roach can also contribute to a slowing down of inversion - we don't specify sails on this basis but it is still worth noting.

If we ever do a spinnaker boat we will have to accept a few more holes of course but we will do everything possible to reduce the ingress of water and to keep the mast volume (and weight) down.

Mike L.

Maxibuddah

.... exactly .. 'boom walking' is very straightforward if the mast is sealed.  Why would anyone go in the water given choice ... ?  

Mike L.

Originally posted by getafix +1 for Laser 2000, I'd also add Wayfarer, Shrimper, XOD, Cant-Tales Merlin Rockets, Topper, Optimist and Mirror for good measure

I agree that some aspects of the L2K do make it a good beginner/family boat, but like the Wayfarer, the fact that both are very prone to turning turtle should exclude them from being a great design. I can't understand why this major downside of so many designs has been neglected. Buoyancy at the masthead just accepts failure in that aspect of the design.  Of course a carbon mast helps but is expensive and while a buoyant sealed mast is also a benefit, I suspect only as a result of it being cheaper!
I suggest that a major cause for turning turtle is the fashion for double bottom/self draining no doubt encouraged by product marketing, while disregarding the safety aspects of associated with turning turtle due to the additional danger of the lack of an air pocket if trapped inside the upturned boat. Is this good design?. I think not!

Originally posted by olly_love But boats with little air pocked are more likely to throw you clear in a capsize, also if you have ever been stuck below a boat with an air pocket then its not a nice experience, especially in waves. where you can get hit on the head alot. and can become very easilly tangled

I don't think L2Ks or Wayfarers go fast enough to throw you clear! If having been thrown clear, surely the boat is even more likely to turn turtle and then blow downwind.