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Air Bag

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CurlyBen View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
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Joined: 17 Aug 05
Location: Southampton
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    Posted: 18 Oct 07 at 9:28pm
I wouldn't bother with an inflating one, Crewsaver make a 40L float you can hoist with the main and doesn't cost you £20 every time you capsize. Probably considerably cheaper too. Another alternative is some old 5L bottles tied to a bit of rope and again hoisted with the main. In my experience 40L of buoyancy at the masthead will prevent inversion even with someone stood on the mast. One question though: is that a good thing? In any breeze the boat will go downwind far faster than you can swim. The speed they move on their side is suprising. If you decide to go down the route of adding masthead buoyancy I hope there's good rescue cover wherever you're sailing cos if you're no longer with the boat you won't reach it without the aid of a rib.
RS800 GBR848
Weston SC
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surf6ne View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote surf6ne Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Oct 07 at 8:56pm

I've just bought my first cat, a Dart 16 and I want to take my little children (age 4&6) out on it when the weather gets warmer again. The Dart 16 is pretty tame and I'm pretty confident that I can keep it upright whatever.

The last thing I want to do is scare the little people off the water at such a young age and so I'm thinking about how to deal with a capsize if they're on board. I already have a righting bag and the boat came with a righting pole (haven't fitted it yet) 

What do you think of self inflating air bags? Like this one: http://www.sailboats.co.uk/Product~Anti_Inversion_Airbag_Mas t_Float_40L_Volume_Next_available_end_of_August_2007_KSK40.h tml

Do they slow down/stop you turning turtle? should I go for the self inflating version, the crewsaver manual inflate and hoist, or the hobie bob (air ship shape) type.

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Simon
Dart 16
Hampshire

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