Re: How much Flotation? And Where?

Gordon (hlg@pacbell.net)
Tue, 4 May 1999 21:24:50 -0700


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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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>Dave Kautz wrote:

>Would it be wiser to place flotation high in the boat, like behind the
>cockpit seat backs to encourage a "right side up" attitude?
>
I think those are great places for flotation for the reason you say. But it
occurs to me that there is also a benefit to having flotation low in the
boat. If the boat is swamped but not capsized, the slot in the centerboard
trunk may be below the waterline so that water may be flowing in the slot
faster than you can bail it out. Flotation low in the boat will float the
boat higher in the water to prevent or reduce that problem.

I've also heard it suggested that we put more flotation on one side of the
boat so the boat will be less stable in the turtle position. The boat will
be tilted to one side when inverted and thus easier to roll back to
vertical. But then again, it might be more prone to capsize if it is merely
swamped and has more buoyancy on one side.

Harry Gordon
P14 #234, Manatee
Mountain View, CA