The only time I wish my Catalina 22 had positive floatation is during our yearly trip to the coast. The main hazard in the Pacific Northwest is logs. They escape from booms during rough weather and also beaches during high tides. When doing the 25 mile crossing of the Straight of Georgia it is always a concern and one is always looking ahead for hazards. During these crossings we keep our inflatable raft partially inflated in the cabin so if a emergency were to arise we would have our escape handy. But what about my beloved boat? I sometimes ponder if it would be better to leave the inflatable in the cabin fully inflated and stay on board. I have checked out Ted's sailing pages regarding how he installed the required amount of styrofoam to make the Catalina "unsinkable". The only trouble is we go each year for a month and storage space is limited as it is without an additional 60 cubic feet of styro. What I would like to do is send catalina direct $400.00 and recieve one ( or two smaller) self inflating airbags that can be installed over the V-berth ( and in the case of two - the second under the cockpit floor.) Then in the event of being holed or swamped they would inflate and we could stay with our boat. I have searched the web and found that there are floatation air bags for canoes and some small sailing dingies but nothing in scope and size to supply the approximatly 600 lbs of boyancy the Catalina needs. I believe even a large skidder or loader inner tube fully inflated would provide the needed boyancy. Is this good seamanship or just paranoya? Any ideas? regards, Bob
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What about the OEM foam?
I though the OEM foam would prvide "level" floatation. Am I wrong? The entire area under the V-berth and the starboard quarter are foam filled in my 76' Swing keel. Is yours? Is that not enough? what year is your hull? Am I in the same boat (yes, pun intented)?
I though the OEM foam would prvide "level" floatation. Am I wrong? The entire area under the V-berth and the starboard quarter are foam filled in my 76' Swing keel. Is yours? Is that not enough? what year is your hull? Am I in the same boat (yes, pun intented)?
Log Booms and Floatation
Bob Not paranoia, just good sense. I am aware of the log booms in your neck of the woods, our folks live on Vancouver Island across from Saltspring. On a recent rip there, I "scored" a dozen old 1980's Pacific Yachting magazines in a swap bin. One had a story about a Canadian government program to spot and report loose booms. Since there are SOOO many boats up there, it would seem to be a prudent first step to find out what other people there do. Sure there are lots of "go fast" boats that would incur heavy damage if they hit something, but many trawlers and most sailboats just don't go that fast. Of course, stories about sailors hitting things at sea causing catastrophic damage ARE true, but I just wonder what the other sailors who travel at 4 to 8 knots do in your waters, before you either worry too much or spend hard earned $$. Obviously, your boat, your choice, but it would be interesting hearing about what others have done. Stu
Bob Not paranoia, just good sense. I am aware of the log booms in your neck of the woods, our folks live on Vancouver Island across from Saltspring. On a recent rip there, I "scored" a dozen old 1980's Pacific Yachting magazines in a swap bin. One had a story about a Canadian government program to spot and report loose booms. Since there are SOOO many boats up there, it would seem to be a prudent first step to find out what other people there do. Sure there are lots of "go fast" boats that would incur heavy damage if they hit something, but many trawlers and most sailboats just don't go that fast. Of course, stories about sailors hitting things at sea causing catastrophic damage ARE true, but I just wonder what the other sailors who travel at 4 to 8 knots do in your waters, before you either worry too much or spend hard earned $$. Obviously, your boat, your choice, but it would be interesting hearing about what others have done. Stu
Save Yourself and Crew
There is risk in everything we do. What you are doing now sounds prudent to me, especially if your raft is easy to launch quickly in the event of a holing. Practicing launching may be helpful insurance. Also having lights, radio, and flares at ready would be good. Accompanying and maintaining contact with other boats on the crossing would add to safety too. A source of air-bouyancy that I have used in a canoe, is an old water bed bladder. They are large and tough and you might be able to pick up several used bladder cheaply at a garage sale or maybe thru a dealer. Fill with air rather than water. Prepare more for you and your crew, as a C22 is not nearly so hard to replace. Dick
There is risk in everything we do. What you are doing now sounds prudent to me, especially if your raft is easy to launch quickly in the event of a holing. Practicing launching may be helpful insurance. Also having lights, radio, and flares at ready would be good. Accompanying and maintaining contact with other boats on the crossing would add to safety too. A source of air-bouyancy that I have used in a canoe, is an old water bed bladder. They are large and tough and you might be able to pick up several used bladder cheaply at a garage sale or maybe thru a dealer. Fill with air rather than water. Prepare more for you and your crew, as a C22 is not nearly so hard to replace. Dick
Thank you, I did not know that
Maybe you could get the benefit of blown in foam without sacrificing to much space by applying it to the ceiling of the cabin. I did not do the math but it seems the main cabin, the v- berth, and the surrounding areas above the shelves, at say 2" thickness might give you the bouyancey without too much loss of space.
Maybe you could get the benefit of blown in foam without sacrificing to much space by applying it to the ceiling of the cabin. I did not do the math but it seems the main cabin, the v- berth, and the surrounding areas above the shelves, at say 2" thickness might give you the bouyancey without too much loss of space.
Above the waterline?
I have a '75 C22, which has foam underneath the V berth, & the starboard lockers. It looks like a home made job to me, but gathering what others have posted, it must be factory. It's very sloppy though. I don't know what good putting foam on the cabin ceiling would do though, since it's above the waterline.
I have a '75 C22, which has foam underneath the V berth, & the starboard lockers. It looks like a home made job to me, but gathering what others have posted, it must be factory. It's very sloppy though. I don't know what good putting foam on the cabin ceiling would do though, since it's above the waterline.
I agree, but...
Bob's consideration of Catalina Direct's "air bag above the v-berth" option combined with his desire do retain all stowage space leaves him few interior options. Personally, if the risk in that area is that great then posting a dedicated watch and sailing only in daylight/fair weather seems prudent to me. p.s. The factory foam in my 76'job is sloppy as well, but if I ever need it I am sure I will think it is quite attractive
Bob's consideration of Catalina Direct's "air bag above the v-berth" option combined with his desire do retain all stowage space leaves him few interior options. Personally, if the risk in that area is that great then posting a dedicated watch and sailing only in daylight/fair weather seems prudent to me. p.s. The factory foam in my 76'job is sloppy as well, but if I ever need it I am sure I will think it is quite attractive
Sail with a buddy boat
I have a suggestion. Make that traverse with at least one other boat, preferably a couple more. There are many sailors who do that same crossing. That water you are in is very cold and swift. If there is a problem, you will need to be rescued asap. Get good life preservers, emergency beacons, raft, etc and do the crossing during the day and with close company. I'd forget about saving the C22 or stuffing it full of foam. Insurance for the boat is cheap.
I have a suggestion. Make that traverse with at least one other boat, preferably a couple more. There are many sailors who do that same crossing. That water you are in is very cold and swift. If there is a problem, you will need to be rescued asap. Get good life preservers, emergency beacons, raft, etc and do the crossing during the day and with close company. I'd forget about saving the C22 or stuffing it full of foam. Insurance for the boat is cheap.
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