Looking for a mast buoy for a Hunter 15'. Want to prevent turtling and figured having a buoy at the top of the mast was good way. Any suggestions on where to find a buoy specifically designed for the boat or a common adaptable part ?
Mast Buoy for Hunter 15'
- Thread starter TackandJibe
- Start date
I've seen these devices prevent turtling. Once you get some practice righting the boat, you can likely remove it. The air under the sail and in the mast slow down the process
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,556
Welcome @TackandJibe . I understand your concern. My instructor’s, during my introduction to sailing, taught prevention and recovery. These were water infused experiences. We did not have mast floats. We learned the actions that cause a small boat (in my case Lido 14’s and ElToro dinghies) to get knocked down. How if you do nothing the boat will turtle. When it does how to safely correct the problem and right the boat, reboard, and get her again sailing.
It was fun, definitely wet, and empowering. Think of it like drown proofing your child for your backyard swimming pool.
There are several ideas about “Mast Head Floats” available. Here is a link to one.
duckworks.com
On the small boats I sailed and raced (often to the limits and occasionally beyond which sometimes got use wet) we learned that very rarely will a boat go from knockdown to turtled quickly. The mast is filled with air. The sails often trap air as they hit the surface. The boats have positive buoyancy. All this works to reduce the chance of flipping upside down (turtling).
Many DYI options exist. Empty Clorox bottles, small fenders, and those plastic floats used as swimming pool lane markers have been used. They have a clunky look but can serve to keep the mast tip floating for awhile.
It was fun, definitely wet, and empowering. Think of it like drown proofing your child for your backyard swimming pool.
There are several ideas about “Mast Head Floats” available. Here is a link to one.
Masthead Float
From boat plans to kits, from hardware to epoxy, we've got just about everything a boat builder needs.
duckworks.com
On the small boats I sailed and raced (often to the limits and occasionally beyond which sometimes got use wet) we learned that very rarely will a boat go from knockdown to turtled quickly. The mast is filled with air. The sails often trap air as they hit the surface. The boats have positive buoyancy. All this works to reduce the chance of flipping upside down (turtling).
Many DYI options exist. Empty Clorox bottles, small fenders, and those plastic floats used as swimming pool lane markers have been used. They have a clunky look but can serve to keep the mast tip floating for awhile.
When I was learning to sail, the most valuable lesson we went through was capsizing drills. Everyday for two weeks we would purposely capsize. we started out swimming to right the boat. By the time we were done we had no fears of sailing (lasting effects to this day) and we would be standing on the dagger board before the mast even touched the water. Best lessons of my lifetime
