RE: [bolger] Re: 'foam filled mast'
Howdy Lew
them empty. When knocked down, pump water into the uppermost sponson.
You might be able to get the Catamaran close to self righting. :)
Good Luck
See Ya
Have Fun
Bruce
http://myweb.cableone.net/bcanderson/
> -----Original Message-----A great Idea. Now put water ballast tanks in each sponson and keep
> Subject: [bolger] Re: 'foam filled mast'
>
> they 'developed' an
> interesting device. It looked like a little blimp, maybe
> 5-feet long, that was foam-filled and attached to the top of
> the mast. With that much flotation, the worst case scenario
> was a 'knock down'.
them empty. When knocked down, pump water into the uppermost sponson.
You might be able to get the Catamaran close to self righting. :)
Good Luck
See Ya
Have Fun
Bruce
http://myweb.cableone.net/bcanderson/
Mike,
It's actually an 'old' trick; originally to 'quiet' the slapping of
internal halyards.
It's easy to do on small boats with 'light' masts that are un-stepped by
a couple of people. Simply take the mast off {or just lower it to the
'trailering position', and start stuffing pre-cut 'bricks' of foam
{Styrofoam, Blue insulating foam, 'Marine' foam, etc}up the mast. Use a
length of cheap PVC pipe {with something flat & appropriate size on the
end}as a 'ramrod'. Measure about 1/3 of the mast height FROM THE TOP. If
you don't have a 'masthead' and can do this from the top; so much the
better.
One minor problem may be the bolts/screws of items that are attached to
the mast. Simply back them out, and replace after the job is done.
Personally, I would NOT, EVER use any 'Pour-in-Place' stuff. If you have
to replace/add an antenna, internal halyards, or some lighting . . .
FORGET IT !!
I also hate to 'burst your bubble' but ANYTHING you do will probably NOT
make the mast 'unsinkable'. {Besides, if it separates from the boat 'on
the water' - you've got BIGGER problems}. What it WILL do is most likely
prevent you from 'turning turtle' if you get into a 'knock down'
situation; or at least give you extra time to right the boat.
The Geougeon Brothers {the people behind WEST System epoxies} used to
also build good sized catamarans {may still do}. Because a catamaran has
'Ultimate Stability' it two positions - rightside up and UPSIDE DOWN -
they 'developed' an interesting device. It looked like a little blimp,
maybe 5-feet long, that was foam-filled and attached to the top of the
mast. With that much flotation, the worst case scenario was a 'knock
down'.
Let me know if you want a more detailed explanation.
Regards & Good Luck,
Ron Magen
Backyard Boatshop
It's actually an 'old' trick; originally to 'quiet' the slapping of
internal halyards.
It's easy to do on small boats with 'light' masts that are un-stepped by
a couple of people. Simply take the mast off {or just lower it to the
'trailering position', and start stuffing pre-cut 'bricks' of foam
{Styrofoam, Blue insulating foam, 'Marine' foam, etc}up the mast. Use a
length of cheap PVC pipe {with something flat & appropriate size on the
end}as a 'ramrod'. Measure about 1/3 of the mast height FROM THE TOP. If
you don't have a 'masthead' and can do this from the top; so much the
better.
One minor problem may be the bolts/screws of items that are attached to
the mast. Simply back them out, and replace after the job is done.
Personally, I would NOT, EVER use any 'Pour-in-Place' stuff. If you have
to replace/add an antenna, internal halyards, or some lighting . . .
FORGET IT !!
I also hate to 'burst your bubble' but ANYTHING you do will probably NOT
make the mast 'unsinkable'. {Besides, if it separates from the boat 'on
the water' - you've got BIGGER problems}. What it WILL do is most likely
prevent you from 'turning turtle' if you get into a 'knock down'
situation; or at least give you extra time to right the boat.
The Geougeon Brothers {the people behind WEST System epoxies} used to
also build good sized catamarans {may still do}. Because a catamaran has
'Ultimate Stability' it two positions - rightside up and UPSIDE DOWN -
they 'developed' an interesting device. It looked like a little blimp,
maybe 5-feet long, that was foam-filled and attached to the top of the
mast. With that much flotation, the worst case scenario was a 'knock
down'.
Let me know if you want a more detailed explanation.
Regards & Good Luck,
Ron Magen
Backyard Boatshop
> Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 22:56:20 -0700 (PDT)it on all aluminum?
> From: mike car <mike78612003@...>
> Subject: foam fill the mast - unsinkable
>
> has anyone foam filled the mast to make it unsinkable, how did you do
>