> I bought some closed cell foam at Orchard Supply Hardware that is intended
> for insulating water pipes. It is already split and has an adhesive strip
for
> keeping it closed. Unfortunately, it is black but that may not matter if you
> are going to make Sunbrella covers for it. As I recall, this stuff was very
> reasonable, pricewise.
>
> I used it to stuff the top third of my mast (above the headstay/shroud
> attachement points) with the hope that having flotation in the top of the
> mast would discourage the boat from turning turtle in the event of a
capsize.
>
>
The pool noodles are cheaper and can take more abrasion, but the pipe
insulation may fit the rails better than the pool noodles.
Also, using pipe insulation in the mast is a great idea. You could run the
wires for the VHF radio and lights inside it and keep them from slapping
against the inside of the mast at the same time that you added floatation to
the mast!
Judy Blumhorst, DC
WWP-19 #266 "Red Wing"
SF Bay, CA