Re: adding flotation to p-15

theodore f. boyer (freelanc@execpc.com)
Tue, 10 Aug 1999 16:11:20 -0500


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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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Dear Al,
Get oversize bumpers (6 plus) (fenders) when not in use stuff them aft
for floatation.
Ted-Milwaukee WWPotter19 "Sea Breeze"

Bernard Johnson wrote:

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> West Wight Potter Website at URL
> http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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> Al, In my opinion is vital to add more floatation to the P15. The
> factory supplied floatation will keep the boat afloat but only just.
> One cu. ft. of foam (2# density) will support 60#. Depending on how much
> space you want to give up, you can make the little sucker like a cork!
> The least intrusive floatation is pour-in 2 part foam, since it can be
> used to fill up odd and hard to reach dead volumes. (For instance, the
> mast itself can be filled, yielding approx. 1/3 cu. ft., that is, 20#
> floatation in a highly advantageous place). I bought (and had delivered
> UPS) enough to make 10 cu. ft. for a total cost of $78.00. I highly
> recommend Utah Foam Products in Salt Lake City, (801) 269-0600
> (www.utahfoam.com). This alone will support 600#, enough to float the
> boat AND the trailer! There is no danger of of overfilling providing the
> foam has volume to expand into freely (just use common sense). Also Dow
> manufactures marine floatation billets (primarily used for floating
> docks, marinas etc.). They come in logs 7" X 20" X 96". They are very
> easy to shape. You can cut them very easily with a small hand saw or a
> kitchen knife. One billet will support approx. 480#. These may be
> difficult to obtain unless there is a distributor near you and they are
> not cheap, about $7-$8 cu. ft. Shipping costs are prohibitive due to
> the bulk.
> There is strong opinion regarding the amount of, and placement of ,
> floatation material, or, indeed whether it it advisable at all!
> (Although what is wrong with being comfortably safe eludes me). You will
> be hearing arguments about the difficulty of righting the boat, lack of
> space, and the effect on the ecology, but first and foremost I would
> think that you want the boat to NOT sink! 6" of bow protruding above
> the water is not much use to anyone!
>
> If you opt for the pour-in foam, test it carefully in small amounts
> until you get a feel for how it behaves. Mixing, temperature, ratios,
> time need reasonable attention paid to them, but full instructions are
> sent with the shipment.
>
> Bear in mind that the foam will be VERY difficult to remove should you
> ever want to do so, whereas foam blocks can be removed at will,
> depending on the the need for space, or the anticipated hazards of a
> cruise. I have chosen a combination myself, using a generous amount of
> each.
>
> Regards, Bernie Johnson
>
> Al Shestag wrote:
>
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> > West Wight Potter Website at URL
> > http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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> > Harry, et all:
> > While awaiting shipment of mast and centerboard
> > thoughts have turned to adding flotation. Has
> > anyone added foam or airbags or have information
> > about how this can be done. Also wondering how to
> > calculate how much would be needed.
> >
> > al shestag,
> > easy over II
> > #1390 P-15
> >
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