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winging it View Drop Down
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Posts: 3958 		Post Options Post Options   Quote winging it Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: mast head floats
    Posted: 15 Feb 10 at 12:37pm
Given that:

I know these things don't prevent inversion, only slow down the process

and

I'm thinking GP14 training boats here

and

nothing is a good substitute for good capsize recovery training

does anyone have any suggestions as to decent mast head floats for training boats?  Good/bad experiences, bargain prices, best brands etc 
the same, but different...

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Captain Morgan View Drop Down
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Posts: 211 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Captain Morgan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Feb 10 at 12:55pm

The "best" ones are the horrific-looking pink 40 litre Crewsaver ones that look rather icky - a bit like they should be used for something else...

They should be pretty effective at preventing inversion on a GP14 as they have about the largest volume of bouyancy and GP14 masts are not the highest. These masthead floats are probably going to be the most effective but not necessarily the cheapest option. Oh, and they do muller Hawks/wind vanes at the top of the mast.
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Posts: 30 		Post Options Post Options   Quote iamalipaul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Feb 10 at 1:00pm

I recommend the Crewsawer 40 ltr jobs, tried it on a L2K and the boat does not invert.  I even walked up the mast a little way (not recommended ) and she still stayed on her side.  Bit pricey at £65, but the the 9 ltr are £50 +.

Not cool to look at, but if you have small ones on board....

 

 
Still swimming with an RS700!
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Feb 10 at 1:53pm

The 9 ltr ones are pretty much useless on a L2, slowed down the inversion by seconds only.

The people on board are going to have to learn how to deal with an inversion sooner or later but I guess if the water is shallow a 40 ltr float may prevent broken masts. 
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didlydon View Drop Down
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Posts: 280 		Post Options Post Options   Quote didlydon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Feb 10 at 2:06pm
At Minorca Sailing all the assy boats are equipped with, I believe, the large crewsaver type floats. These certainly stop a whole load of problems developing further than they need to.... Look a bit crappy, but at least the bill for busted masts is lower . I have an LDC masthead float that I use on my Vareo when the breeze is up. Originally intended for the Vision, it slides up the luff groove of the mast, consists of 2 tubes that lay flat against the sail. Whilst not preventing inversions completely it slows things down a bit depending on conditions. Cost about £45 I think & don't look too obtrusive....   
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pete_chinnock View Drop Down
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Posts: 70 		Post Options Post Options   Quote pete_chinnock Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Feb 10 at 4:25pm
I used milk bottles when i had an old i14, gave me a few
more valuable seconds as it inverted quickly due to heavy
ally mast.
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tomoore1 View Drop Down
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Posts: 99 		Post Options Post Options   Quote tomoore1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Feb 10 at 5:58pm
Im sure you can get GP14 mains with built in foam at the head of the sail. Not sure exactly how much bouyency they provide but the foam is a fairly large lump and is neatly encased in sailcloth so no fear of getting lost.
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zailor View Drop Down
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Posts: 249 		Post Options Post Options   Quote zailor Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Feb 10 at 8:01pm
took 3 of us to invert and RS200 with a 40L crewaver balloon.

Needless to say that was intentional and took quite a bit off effort.
Just had to see if it could be done
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Slippery Jim View Drop Down
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Posts: 586 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Slippery Jim Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Feb 10 at 2:47pm

The 40 litre model's by far the best, but never used one.

By the way, is the phrase "Mast Head Floats" functionally the same as "Handle's Organ Works" in the sense that  if the mast is sealed, they might both provoke the same answer:

"SO DOES MINE!" ?

Answers on a postcard please to:
Pass the skiff, man!
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narc View Drop Down
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Posts: 70 		Post Options Post Options   Quote narc Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Feb 10 at 10:03pm
Another vote for the 40L crewsaver ones.
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