Running flotation around the boat at the gunwale would reduce the
chances of turning turtle, but if the boat ever did get into that
position wouldn't the flotation tend to keep it there?
The idea of having unequal amounts of flotation on each side sounds
good because the boat wouldn't float with its mast straight down and
it wouldn't be hard to begin leaving that comfy turtle position.
Getting the sunken gunwale the rest of the way up and out of the
water might actually be harder though because it wouldn't have as
much "desire" to rise as if it had more flotation. Potters only
weigh around 1,000 lbs. though, so maybe the difference is trivial.
It's my understanding that an overturned boat will not pop back onto
it's feet without a combination of flotation and ballast. Maybe
strapping water bags and anything else heavy securely in the lowest
part of the boat and putting a foam plug in your mast (or using a
wooden mast) are the best way to go.
Rob MacLean
PEI
Canada
From: Rob MacLean
TheatrePEI
550 University Avenue
Charlottetown, P.E.I.
tel: 902 566-0424
fax: 902 566-0420