Mast Floatation

Moderator: GreenLake

Mast Floatation

Postby ChrisB » Tue Dec 07, 2010 12:04 pm

There are a good many posts on this forum on the subject of adding floatation to the top of the mast to prevent turtling after a capsize. There is a company in the UK called "Crewsaver" that markets a self-inflating mast float. They are available in 9 liter and 40 liter sizes (19 lbs & 84 lbs respectively). Does anyone have any experience with this (or similar) product?
Chris B.
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Postby dbk0630 » Tue Dec 07, 2010 1:30 pm

It looks like APS carries them... or something similar...

http://www.apsltd.com/c-4686-buoyancybags.aspx

Personally, I like the design of the "Mastfloat Buoyancy Bag" that goes for $60... though I wish it was available in white instead of yellow.
The description says it provides 8 liters of bouyancy... though it would be helpful if someone could translate that into pounds of bouyancy.
Dave K.
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Mast Floatation

Postby ChrisB » Tue Dec 07, 2010 1:57 pm

8 liters = 2.11 gallons of water. Water weighs 8.3 pounds per gallon so 8 liters would provide about 17.5 pounds of buoyancy.

The major drawback I can see with this mastfloat bag is that when you reef the main, the airbag is no longer at the top of the mast and would be less effective at preventing the boat from turtling.
Chris B.
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