DaySailer.org Forum

I cut inspection holes in the seats and forward bow section to check for water.

There is flotation in the seats and forward section of my Spindrift DS1.

In the bow section it is full, in the seat section it looks like I could add some pool noodles to give even more flotation.

Is is race "legal" to add extra foam?

TIA,

John

I don't know the answer but I would think that anything that adds weight and safty would be legal (for class racing). If it removed weight and safty then I would think it to be illegal (for class racing). Not that we're talking about a lot of weight , unless you're talking about removing wet foam.

Not sure about the legality but it would be a good idea to remove any flotation foam that is wet or waterlogged and replace it with dry foam (noodles). Brad

It's fine to add flotation, it is even fine to take out the flotation but not advisable. I have seen boats almost sink because the flotation tanks were not not water tight and positive flotation was not added. One boat was only saved because it was tied to a floating outhouse and only the bow was showing when it was finally rescued.

Steve
DS 307

By-Law 3, rule 5.12 sez in part;

"..... foam material subject to water absorption or disintegration may be removed, provided they are replaced with an equal amount of floation. ....."

SS makes a great point about having enough floatation to keep the boat off of the bottom if the floatation tanks fail. Also, Class rules require that the floatation tanks have original, or equal amount of replacement floatation in the tanks.

I too have seen DS's that hit mud, instead of staying at the top to allow rescue. Kinda ruins your day of sailing fun.

phill

Phil,

That sounds like a I can't add extra foam?

The foam in the seats is fine, I was going to through some extra pool noodles in to give me extra flotation. I was also going to put some in the front storage area.

John

Rule 5.12 goes one to say........additional floatation may be installed.

Sorry I didnt type out the hole section.

Under the Day Sailer Association tab at the top of the page you will find a listing for Handbook. the entire rule book is listed there.

Thanks Phil,

The part that was throughing me off was the "replaced with an equal amount of floation".

John