I've often thought about the same thing, of using a self-inflating PFD or
equivalent as a masthead float. I've even written to a couple of survival
equipment manufacturers to suggest they market something like that, but got
no response at all. I did find someone who made an inflatable sail section
for that purpose. Don't recall the details.
The self-inflating PFDs require about 3 seconds to operate. That may or may
not be quick enough to stop a turtle. (I know, Jim and Geoff, we should
leave turtles alone.)
Some years ago, we deliverately turned two Potters onto their side in still
water alongside the dock at Lake Elizabeth, and they both righted
themselves without taking in water, if I remember correctly.
A masthead flotation ball is standard equipment on Aquacats.
Harry
>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>There is a lake nearby where one can rent canoes, windsurfers, Capri 14.2s ,
>Lido 14s, etc.. A little over year ago I saw someone capsize one of the
>Capris after an unplanned jibe, the boat went immediately turtle. The rental
>people sent one of the staff out in a motorboat to right it.
>
>I was back there a few weeks ago and now all of the Capris have a teardrop
>shaped float at the top of the mast. I'd estimate the volume of this float to
>be about 0.5 cubic feet.
>
>I'm mentioning this mostly to pose a question - If a P-15 could be prevented
>from going all the way over, isn't it unlikely that it would take on much
>water in the cabin at all? Would a proportionally smaller amount of flotation
>place at the top of the sail or mast be more effective than a large volume
>inside the boat? What about converting one of those CO2 powered PFDs to a
>masthead device so that there is little drag when sailing?
>
>Any thoughts?
>
>Dave Kautz
>P-15 #1632 Tilly Lucy
>Palo Alto, CA