Inspection ports

[wrmann]

I plan on installing some inspection ports on the seats of my newly purchased 1970 DS I. What is the best size to install? The West catalog lists three sizes, 4", 6" & 8". The foam in one seat seems fine and doesn't appear to have any water in it. The foam on the other side might be saturated. It felt wet when I checked it through the 1" drain hole. What about installing an inspection port in the bow area. I haven't checked this area yet but when I install two ports, installing a third might be time well spent. The actual cutting and installation of the ports has been covered in several posts so I think I'm clear on that. The port size question is where I need assistance. Thanks in advance.

[Bob Damon]

The size depends on how much access you need. Bigger holes make for better access. also it depends on where you are placing them as room is limited. I recom6mend you place the ports on the front and perhaps along the side of the seat tanks for best access and to allow air flow. 6" ports are usually more than adequate for both areas. Be sure to read the class specifications before making any modifications!! Bob Damon

[Roger]

On my DS II, I placed a 4" inspection port on the forward bulkhead to access the boweye, two 4" ports on the aft cabin bulkhead to access the area behind hte seatback (to fix the backing plate of the jib track), two 4" bulkeads on the lower upright of the seats to access under the seat (to install a mid cockpit traveller, and a larger 7" port on the cuddy floor portside to access the area at the front of the centerboard trunk.

I've also thought of placing a larger port on the bow deck to access the area just above th foam floatation. I would like to stow an anchor here. Is there a measurement rule that speaks to this area?

[Bob Damon]

Bylaw 3, paragraph 5.12 allows for inspection ports to access flotation tanks. It does not specify where you can put the ports, or how many, so if you want to put one on the deck you can.

[Roger]

Would I be pushing the intent of the rule, then if I installed a hinged port that stored an anchor or spinnaker beneath or would it still be in compliance?

Reference Bylaw 5.1 No changes are permitted that modify the exterior lines of the ... deck. [this modification would not modify the exterior line]

Reference Bylaw 5.3 The interior of the ... deck may be altered ... convenieces for sail or equipment storage... to the extent that the changes are not specifically prohibited elsewhere in these specs.

Reference Bylaw 5.12 Foam materials... may be removed, provided they are replaced with an equal amount of floatation. [I could install an anchor well, as long as material removed was displaced to the voids alongside the anchor well, above the current floatation. Foam does not go all the way to the top of the front tank]

I do know that I would be in counter compliance with the rule if I launched the spinnaker from down there. Bylaw 5.5 ... tube for spinnaker launching... not (allowed) through the deck.

Are all of the above assumptions correct in your opinion as class measurer?

[Bob Damon]

Roger, The intent is to keep the flotation tanks intact so the boat will not sink and to preserve the one design nature of the boat. As an example, an issue came up where an owner removed the seat tanks on a DSI to stiffen the hull. He subsequently replaced the tanks farther forward than the manufactured position and the boat was declared illegal As long as the hinged port or hatch is watertight while the boat is underway it would preserve the integrity of the tank and no performance characteristics are being added nor would any competitive edge be gained by this.

[Roger]

nm