Dinghy development: Bouyancy Tests

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Bouyancy Tests

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Dinghy development
Forum Discription: The latest moves in the dinghy market
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=10345
Printed Date: 18 Jul 25 at 1:54am
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Topic: Bouyancy Tests

Posted By: Jamie600
Subject: Bouyancy Tests
Date Posted: 04 Jan 13 at 9:28pm

Just wondered whether any other clubs have a compulsary annual bouyancy test?

My club is a small, landlocked reservoir and at the start of each season, we are required to fill our boats with water to the top of the centreboard case and sit in them for 20 minutes, then drain the water and check the tanks for leaks.

This rule has been in place since the club was formed 40 years ago, however a number of us are campaigning to have it axed. A number of years ago I did manage to argue the case for waiving the test on Lasers and similar boats, on the basis that as the cockpits are moulded in one piece, the test was meaningless.

It was agreed that for these types of boat a quick test of pouring water down the mast step and checking for leaks would suffice, but really I think it should be scrapped altogether. The reasons are -

1 - Boats have evolved in the last 40 years, now almost all have built in bouyancy rather than bags, if not fully self draining

2 - Most of the boats in the club are much newer and in better condition than perhaps what was typical in the past

3 - Even a very leaky boat is unlikely to completely sink, and if it does then the fault would lie solely with the owner, notwithstanding rescue complications

4 - It cannot be good for the structure of the boat to be filled with water, possibly far in excess of what would normally be taken onboard in a normal capsize situation

I would be interested to know if any other clubs have this rule, it seems unlikely that the hundreds of members at places like Rutland or Grafham spend the first day of the season tied to the jetty in a boat full of water.

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RS600 1001

Replies:

Posted By: Paramedic
Date Posted: 04 Jan 13 at 9:38pm

i think you've left out the most imortant reason which is that the club is taking responsibility for your buoyancy away from you. If they say it's Ok and your boat sinks and you die they could be held liable.

This is why many classes that used to have buoyancy tests not have the owner sign and have witnessed the certificate to say that the boat is bouyant.

Posted By: winging it
Date Posted: 04 Jan 13 at 9:40pm

I think we have to sign something when we take out/renew membership that says our boats are seaworthy. I have in the past had to stop someone going out in an obviously unseaworthy boat, plus not long ago decided to 'retire' my old kestrel when I realised it was taking on too much water. I think it should be down to common sense and vigilance on the part of the sailing committee.

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the same, but different...

Posted By: alstorer
Date Posted: 04 Jan 13 at 11:07pm

What do they do if you have a self drainer? I appreciate these tend to be higher performance and not often suited to small ponds, but regardless, how on earth would you apply this rule to, say, a Musto? Or a Moth?

(pre the "we'll just check the mast step" rule update)

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-_
Al

Posted By: SoggyBadger
Date Posted: 04 Jan 13 at 11:26pm

Even in the old days when you used to have to a buoyancy (or lack thereof) test at every club I've ever been a member of this was always done according to the rules laid down by the class.

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Best wishes from deep in the woods

SB

Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 04 Jan 13 at 11:26pm

the traditional way of checking self draining boats was to have someone sitting on the boat with it on its side. First one side then the other.
I don't know that I'd say boats leak less than they used to, especially older glass Solos and Enterprises, but my understanding is with paramedic on why these checks went out of fashion...

Posted By: kfz
Date Posted: 05 Jan 13 at 9:31am

As per most clubs the handbook/rules say you are advised to carry the min buoyancy as described in the class regulations for that boat. Boats without a class then its just personal judgement. The onus is on the owner.

If a boat was unseaworthy then im sure a flag officer or Sailing Committee would have a quiet word.

We sail in much more strenuous conditions than found on the average res.

Never seen a boat sink, I guess its possible, old GRP with every tank holed. Old wood boats wont sink. Presumably if your on a res your racing with others and safety cover, not extended cruising without safety cover like we could be.

I think your right, Seems a bit much.

Kev

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GP14 Fleet Captain
Liverpool Sailing Club

http://www.liverpoolsailingclub.org/ - Liverpool SC

Posted By: Jamie600
Date Posted: 05 Jan 13 at 10:25am

Al - we have two 'new shape' self draining Ents and my RS300, we've managed to swerve the test on the basis that the water runs out as fast as you put it it.

Kev - yes we have rescue cover at all times, no solo sailing is allowed. Plus even from many parts of the lake most people could easily swim to shore.

Thanks for the responses guys, very good points regarding the shifting of liability from the owner to the club.

Moving towards following whatever the class rules say rather than having a standard procedure seems a very good compromise if I don't manage to get the rule scrapped altogether.

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RS600 1001

Posted By: Roger
Date Posted: 05 Jan 13 at 10:57am

I recall doing such tests as these decades ago, but haven't done one at my present club, small reservoir, and in fact can't recall the last time I did which probably means 30 years or more ago.

Solo class rules for instance ask an owner to self certify, sign there own endorsement on the back of the measurement certificate, and have the signature witnessed by a flag officer of your own club, nice and simple, and remains the responsibility of the owner.

Posted By: drifter
Date Posted: 05 Jan 13 at 7:41pm

I have seen two Wayfarers sink-not lost as the lake is too shallow and the rescue boats were quick enough to stop them going down fully. Both times tied up safety cover for the rest of us. I also recall an I14 with tank hatches removed and strapped to combi being pushed into the sea. It drifted about for a couple of days until someone towed it in!

I believe boats should be seaworthy so they stay afloat after a capsize-but arguements over volumes taken in might not be helpful

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Stewart

Posted By: Dougal
Date Posted: 05 Jan 13 at 7:45pm

The irony is that you can launch any old tub into the sea without any requirement for bouyancy tests, life jackets, insurance, rescue cover, ability etc.

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What could possibly go wrong?

Posted By: Jamie600
Date Posted: 05 Jan 13 at 9:40pm

That's a very good point indeed!

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RS600 1001