I just bought an 04 model 170 and someone suggested adding foam to the mast to prevent turtling. Where can I get more info about the type of foam and a source? Also suggestions about how to do this.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
M
Mike
Easy to do
Bob, I foamed my (former) 170 mast and boom also (just bought a larger sailboat- but can still try to brief you on the procedure). What I did was go to Home Depot and got several 6 foot (or maybe it was 8 foot) long "noodles" of A/C coil insulation-- the grey or black colored foam-noodle stuff that's often wrapped around the copper tubes that run from your house's air conditioning compressor. The diameter on these foam insulation noodles is about two inches...a perfect size to fit into the mast and boom. I used a powerdrill to drill out the rivets that hold the aluminum masthead (which houses the halyard sheaves). I removed the masthead and then just inserted the foam insulation noodling into the mast. On my boat the stuff stopped going in at about 13 feet-- I think it hung up on the several spreader rivet studs that intrude into the mast-hallow. I deemed the upper 13 feet of mast float to be all that would be needed anyway. The lower part of the mast shouldn't theoretically get near the water if the mast is sealed and upper float doing its job. Next I used 3M duct tape and silicon chaulk to carefully and somewhat cosmetically, seal the hole just below the masthead sheaves (the hole will be visible if you look at the masthead/aluminum fitting from the bottom up. This would be a huge entry point of water in a capsize, if not sealed. I also used 3M 5200 marine sealant/adhesive all the way around the top of the mast, where the masthead fitting meets the spar (mast) proper. I also 5200'ed the rivets that I used to replace the masthead. I then pushed noodle down the aft, open end of the boom- and it simply stayed put because the rivets at the aft end of my mast protrude into the inside of the boom just enough to stop the noodle from backing out. Others might have a variation on this theme...but probably similar to this in principal. I never tested my method in a capsize drill (I only like to get wet in a Laser!), but I'm assuming she'll hold. I don't think the guy who bought the 170 planned on testing it either- but it's nice to know it's insurance. The only time I ever capsized my 170 (and she quickly turtled-- this was pre-noodling, obviously) was when I was suddenly slammed by a line squall of what I estimate was 35-40mph wind for several minutes. It happened in less than 10 seconds. So I guess my parting thought is, no one ever plans to capsize. Others who've noodled and tested it say it works great. Best, Mike G. s/v Freebird -Compac 19
Bob, I foamed my (former) 170 mast and boom also (just bought a larger sailboat- but can still try to brief you on the procedure). What I did was go to Home Depot and got several 6 foot (or maybe it was 8 foot) long "noodles" of A/C coil insulation-- the grey or black colored foam-noodle stuff that's often wrapped around the copper tubes that run from your house's air conditioning compressor. The diameter on these foam insulation noodles is about two inches...a perfect size to fit into the mast and boom. I used a powerdrill to drill out the rivets that hold the aluminum masthead (which houses the halyard sheaves). I removed the masthead and then just inserted the foam insulation noodling into the mast. On my boat the stuff stopped going in at about 13 feet-- I think it hung up on the several spreader rivet studs that intrude into the mast-hallow. I deemed the upper 13 feet of mast float to be all that would be needed anyway. The lower part of the mast shouldn't theoretically get near the water if the mast is sealed and upper float doing its job. Next I used 3M duct tape and silicon chaulk to carefully and somewhat cosmetically, seal the hole just below the masthead sheaves (the hole will be visible if you look at the masthead/aluminum fitting from the bottom up. This would be a huge entry point of water in a capsize, if not sealed. I also used 3M 5200 marine sealant/adhesive all the way around the top of the mast, where the masthead fitting meets the spar (mast) proper. I also 5200'ed the rivets that I used to replace the masthead. I then pushed noodle down the aft, open end of the boom- and it simply stayed put because the rivets at the aft end of my mast protrude into the inside of the boom just enough to stop the noodle from backing out. Others might have a variation on this theme...but probably similar to this in principal. I never tested my method in a capsize drill (I only like to get wet in a Laser!), but I'm assuming she'll hold. I don't think the guy who bought the 170 planned on testing it either- but it's nice to know it's insurance. The only time I ever capsized my 170 (and she quickly turtled-- this was pre-noodling, obviously) was when I was suddenly slammed by a line squall of what I estimate was 35-40mph wind for several minutes. It happened in less than 10 seconds. So I guess my parting thought is, no one ever plans to capsize. Others who've noodled and tested it say it works great. Best, Mike G. s/v Freebird -Compac 19
Foaming 170 mast and foam test
Hi Bob, I agree with Mike, this is easy to do and does not cost much to do. I wrote a foaming article some time ago and it is available on the dennis@sailing-obsession.com, look under "tack room" fitting your boat, there you will find the above articles. I had some pictures / drawings to go with this but cant open the jpeg ? If I was to do the foaming all over again I would do the following, remove the mast head, slide (2) insulation foam in from the top. seal the underside of the masthead block that you removed with a good sealer reatched the masthead to block, remove the alignment pin at the bottom of the mast (the one that guides the mast in place as you step the mast) add (2) insulation foam strips in from the bottom, replace the aligment pin. now, seal ALL fasteners, the rivets take on water, this might not seem like much, but the longer your boat is on its side, the mast is taking on water, grant you not as fast as with out the mast head being sealed but still its taking on water. I used a simple cauking gun and clear sealantto do this. Once this has been done, let everything dry good. Once dry, DO THE PRATICE CAPSIZING DRILL. this too is easy to do and fun. If you cant find the article you can e-mail me and I will send it to you with pictures /drawings. Which ever way you seal your mast is fine, just do something, Safe sailing Glenn glenn.basore@medtronic.com
Hi Bob, I agree with Mike, this is easy to do and does not cost much to do. I wrote a foaming article some time ago and it is available on the dennis@sailing-obsession.com, look under "tack room" fitting your boat, there you will find the above articles. I had some pictures / drawings to go with this but cant open the jpeg ? If I was to do the foaming all over again I would do the following, remove the mast head, slide (2) insulation foam in from the top. seal the underside of the masthead block that you removed with a good sealer reatched the masthead to block, remove the alignment pin at the bottom of the mast (the one that guides the mast in place as you step the mast) add (2) insulation foam strips in from the bottom, replace the aligment pin. now, seal ALL fasteners, the rivets take on water, this might not seem like much, but the longer your boat is on its side, the mast is taking on water, grant you not as fast as with out the mast head being sealed but still its taking on water. I used a simple cauking gun and clear sealantto do this. Once this has been done, let everything dry good. Once dry, DO THE PRATICE CAPSIZING DRILL. this too is easy to do and fun. If you cant find the article you can e-mail me and I will send it to you with pictures /drawings. Which ever way you seal your mast is fine, just do something, Safe sailing Glenn glenn.basore@medtronic.com
Foaming in photos'projects forum
Bob... I posted my foaming o' the mast in the Photo/Project Forum here...http://www.sailboatowners.com/upload/display.tpl?folder=73279673498&fno=17 ...used swim noodles - a free commodity, though you do need to whittle them down. One unecessary step - my post shows sealing the bottom of the mast - not necessary - even if you were to turtle, the bottom of the mast will never be near the water. Only worry about sealing the points that Glenn mentions. Have not tested either - but plan to do so! From what others, includinig Glenn, have proven in real drills - it works!! Good luck. Please let us know if you find improvements on our methods!
Bob... I posted my foaming o' the mast in the Photo/Project Forum here...http://www.sailboatowners.com/upload/display.tpl?folder=73279673498&fno=17 ...used swim noodles - a free commodity, though you do need to whittle them down. One unecessary step - my post shows sealing the bottom of the mast - not necessary - even if you were to turtle, the bottom of the mast will never be near the water. Only worry about sealing the points that Glenn mentions. Have not tested either - but plan to do so! From what others, includinig Glenn, have proven in real drills - it works!! Good luck. Please let us know if you find improvements on our methods!
- Status
- Not open for further replies.