Why not a mast-head float for an A.I./T.I.?

Hi guys,

I watched the A.I.-righting videos with great interest, but they did get me thinking - why not add a mast head float to prevent the boat inverting in the first place?

I've done a fair bit or research into the pros and cons and can't see any issues using one on an A.I.

I'm thinking of a cheap(ish) inflatable one, or a smallish buoyancy bag, rather than a heavy, moulded version.

https://marinestore.co.uk/Buoyancy_Bags ... loats.html

Has anyone tried it?

Cheers,

Mike.

Using the Hobie mast head topper as base it might work. Just be wary about putting more weight aloft.

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_________________
2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

• Trampolines
• Hobie cover
• Davis Spar Fly
• Kayakbob's Sprayskirts
• Spine Board Hakas

Something like this - an inflatable float.

Negligible weight, although a 40lt bag is probably overkill of an A.I. or even T.I.



I would've though somewhere between 10-20 litres (max) would be better.

Maybe something like a paddle float would do the trick?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/130976530721

Cheers,

Mike.

Sounds like a good idea but how do you cope with the furling sail wrapping it up?

I'm thinking a short length of thin glass or composite (perhaps a left-over top-section of an old fishing rod?)
to hold it horizontal, out of the way of the sail.

I messed with this some years ago with my 2010 AI - the thread is still here viewtopic.php?f=71&t=52015&p=238171&hilit=mast+float#p238171

The small TRI requires a lot more flotation at the head than a small dingy does to keep it upright. So putting something up there that actually works gets both ugly and complicated. After looking at this, I decided it was way more practical to focus on avoiding a capsize and also being able to recover from a capsize.

@walt,

Thanks for that - exactly what I was looking for!

Some very interesting and useful info there.

Cheers,

Mike.

Mike, I really don't think a masthead float is worth the complexity. If you look at the video in the FAQ section, at around 5:00 on, you will see a TI being righted from a full inversion with sail out, without a masthead float..
viewtopic.php?f=117&t=59487



Based on that video, I am making a line with loops at appropriate distances which will fit in a pocket of my PFD. In the unlikely event of a capsize, I could attach this to an ama handle, and use it to tip the Island back on its feet.

IMHO, such a line would be far more practical than a masthead float

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Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker

I know what you mean by keeping things simple (the A.I. already has far too much "going on"), but I'm thinking
of occasions where the water-depth is less than the height of the mast. I usually sail in water that's between
2-4m deep - might make righting a bit trickier?

Also, in rougher conditions, it's be better to prevent the boat going completely over...

I'll do a few experiments of my own and see how it goes.

Cheers,

Mi,e.

The only time I ever flipped an AI was in shallow water and the shallow water stopped it from totally turtleing, making it much easier to flip back quickly.

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

Just to add to the complexity, my local 74km2 lake has places >in the middle< that are only covered with 2 feet of water. Unfortunately, below that is at least another two feet of squishy and sticky mud! It is very unusual to get out of there with both shoes still on your feet! I don't want to think about an Island mast and sail going in there...

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Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker