Turtling

[Tom Dutton]

because my mast is hollow, unless i dry-capsize, it tends to fill with water and then turtle itself rather quickly.
After speaking with Graham Pope, I've ruled out filling it with foam. He also suggested blocking off all the holes in it to slow it down. Another suggestion I've had is a buoyancy bag tied to a halyard and then raised in heavier conditions, but I was wondering if anyone else had any practical affordable ideas?

Thanks
Tom

[mart814]

Hi Tom,
Unless your main halyard is entirely outside the mast, it's impossible to seal the mast completely. Graham's advice is very sensible - block-up or (in case of halyard route) reduce the size of the openings as far as possible - you can use silicon, or tape, or a little foam if necessary (no need to fill the mast).
The next advice is purely about sailing - move your weight on to the centreboard as quickly as possible, or drop into the water to avoid pulling the boat over and quickly move round to the centreboard. If you have "death-rolled" and the boom is in the air - pull it down with the mainsheet so that it lies flat on the water (this slows the turtling action dramatically). Trust me I'm an expert at capsizing!
Finally - and this is the most useful advice - take the boat out in strong winds and build your boat handling skills and confidence - and .... keep the mast pointing up!
Good luck!!
Martin

[New Boy]

Hi Tom
Not a cheap option but with my carbon rig the boat does not turtle. It is a sealed of mast with external halyard. Not got experience of the others but changing your Halyard to external and sealing holes sounds like a cheap option to me.
New Boy

[Tom Dutton]

how much is a snazzy new carbon rig?

[New Boy]

Selden Carbon prices are detailed below
Inquiries through Selden,s dealership

Mast - £710 ex VAT
Rigging - £89.76 ex VAT
Boom - £208.97 ex VAT

Super spars Prices around the same maybe a little cheaper.
These prices may have changed.

There are other places to get Carbon Rigs so shop around for the best deals.

New Boy

[Tom Dutton]

grand total (ex vat) is £1008.73
my boat cost me £500
I may aswell by Mog from banzai for that amount!

[pegasus]

You can get special bouyancey bags for masts. The prices vary from £20.00 to £60.00. THere is currently one on Ebay by "Dinghyonline" at £30.00.

The Albercores at Maidenhead SC use them on windy days. They slide up the mast track attached to the mainsail. THey seem to work, but only delays the inevitable. By the way the Albercore tends to lie flat on the water on a capsize so there is a lot of resistance caused by the sail.

Anouther one is tie a couple of 4pint Mill containers to the top of the halliard.... Looks strange but has asimilar effect!

Simon

[Tom Dutton]

thanks simon,
I've thought about bouyancy bags, and I'm waiting to see about any other ideas there might be. I'm also putting grab lines on the gunwhales - newish paint is slippy! It's mainly so I have time to haul myself round the back and then put my weight on it before it goes completely over.

Thanks again
Tom

[pegasus]

I had grab lines on mine before I damaged Bertie earlier this year. I haven't put them back on yet, as it is still a job in progress (yet to do when I have time!)


Simon

[Tom Dutton]

Is bertie sorted now? I read about it earlier and nearly bought that one a while back before I bought Fast One (formerly Damp Course)

[pegasus]

Bertie is back on the water for the second time! I did alot of work last year only to put the mast through the fore deck in February. I have loads of photos on www.Flickr.com of the work I have done.

I'm back on the water, desperate not to loose too much sailing time. I was hoping to get to Evesham, Shropshire and Cotswold, but family commitments have prevented that.

I am now looking at Bristol, (doubt I wil be able to go to Cam and Hunts) Desborough, Staines (Both very close to me), Medley and Frampton again. I have to juggle between Scouts, Family and Sailing at the moment.

Simon