Buoyancy Control

[DSI64]

Hello everyone I am new to this site. I am so happy to find a site made just for daysailers where hopefully many of my questions can be answered. We currently have a DSI from the sixties (not sure the exact year). We bought it cheap and fixed it up. however we have been having problems with the boat rolling. Out of the five times the boat has been taken out, it has capsized twice. When it goes over there is no time to get out to the mast to put something under it and it quickly turtles. I know these smaller boats are prone to flip from time to time however I did not think this often. We learned that there was foam under the benches of the boat, however the previous owner removed it all. We assume that this is the cause of out problems rather than operator error. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to add buoyancy or correct this problem? Heard of putting swim noodles under the benches but not sure if this will work. Thanks

[FF26 Truck]

Assuming that this problem is not related to wind conditions on those 2 ocurrences, I would check for leaks as the boat heels over.

When the boat capsizes does it always go over on the same tack?
If so that would cause me to suspect that you may be taking on water in one of the buoyancy chambers and upsetting your balance.

Do you dry sail or keep the boat in the water?
if you haul out after sailing, have you noticed an abnormal amount of water draining out or sloshing around in the hull cavity?

You might try to pressurize the hull with a few PSI from a compressor through the drain plugs if your boat has them. Check the hull to deck joint, centerboard trunk or any other spots that could allow water in to the chambers that are supposed to be sealed.
Going over the entire hull with a spray bottle of soapy water as you add some air should cause any leaks to make bubbles and make them easier to find.
Good luck

[Peterw11]

FF26 Truck is right, IMO.

You don't have a bouyancy problem, you have a balance problem.

The floatation foam under the seats only prevents the boat from sinking when it capsizes or fills with water for whatever reason. It won't prevent the boat from rolling over.

An imbalance can be caused by a number of things. I'm assuming you know how to operate the boat properly and handle the sails in strong winds, distribute your weight and that of your crew to the windward side, keep the centerboard down, that sort of thing.

If all those things are done properly, then the only other cause can be water in the floation chambers under the seats.

Does it sit level in the water when unoccupied, or is it tipping to one side?
Does it always roll to the same side?

If so, that's where you have too much weight. Remove the plug in seat base, facing the cuddy at the cockpit floor.

I'm guessing you've got water in there, and quite a bit of it.

[Baysailer]

I just read a pretty good article on floatation for the Daysailer: http://www.arlingtonyachtclub.org/Fleet ... ation.html
But I have to agree with both earlier posts on the balance issues since normally a DS is pretty hard to capsize. Not impossible but they are pretty stable certainly shouldn't be like walking on marbles.

[algonquin]

My DS1 is normally pretty stable in a variety of wind conditions.

Do you have an actual “DaySailer” or a generic daysailer ?

I would check the rigging for starters. Make sure the mast is centered and perfectly upright in relation to your boat. I have heard of a similar situation and the mast was tuned tighter to port than starboard and aided the boat to slowly go over to port.

Also make sure your center board is completely deployed and not hanging up half way down.

Another thing to check is the amount of rigging (ropes ) you have aloft. Are any of the ropes a larger diameter than needed ? They can add significant weight and windage high up on the mast and cause an unstable condition. Bigger is not better when it comes to ropes running aloft.
Check this guide and compare it to what you are currently running for rope. http://forum.daysailer.org/tech_rigmeas.php

Another tid bit about your mast. Is there flotation foam in the top of your mast ? You may have a mast full of old soggy foam that may cause it to be top heavy. Brad

[kokko]

I cut inspection ports into my boat, and pulled out many, many cubic feet of sodden styrofoam. I replaced it with wswin noodles.

I can see why replacing my old foam would be beneficial, but if your tanks are empty, there should be no difference. THe foam is there to provide flotation is the tanks are breached. If seal and dry they provide adequate flotation.

I would be very interested in the pictures of the foam around the coamings. The floatation tanks are low, so if the boat turtles, they would be high and might be difficult Placing foam near the coamings would be helpful. Does anyone have a link to the pics in the Fresno Rescue article?

Also - it would be helpful to seal the mast or add a float to the top.
I see that the scows have a floatie sleeve that fits over the headboard of the main. That would help

[K.C. Walker]

I would be very interested in the pictures of the foam around the coamings. The floatation tanks are low, so if the boat turtles, they would be high and might be difficult Placing foam near the coamings would be helpful. Does anyone have a link to the pics in the Fresno Rescue article?

kokko,

You asked for photos of how the flotation foam can be done behind the comings. This is how it was done on my boat. I have no knowledge of when it was done or by whom. The forward end is closed off but the aft end is open. I can reach behind at the aft end and feel that there are approximately 1 inch slabs of closed cell flotation foam neatly packed behind this plastic sheeting, which I suspect to be formica. http://www.walkerguitars.com/photos/day ... flotation/

It seems to me that you could easily extend this flotation to the transom and somewhat forward, as well, without infringing on the interior space of the boat.

KC

[kokko]

Thank you K.C. Walker. I plan to add this to the project list.

I may also add a floatie sleave to the headboard of the main. THere are some comercial ones out there for snow sailors, but they are very pricey. I should also see if my mast is sealed.


btw - your guitars are quite beautiful.