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| Making a Mast Float http://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=23043 |
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| Author: | derek [ Wed Apr 07, 2010 9:09 am ] |
| Post subject: | Making a Mast Float |
I am thinking about making a Mast Float and wanted to know if anyone ever tried this before. My logic on building one, is pretty much 1.Find a cheap piece of styrofoam about $10bucks 2. Cut it down to form the style of the Mast Floats ( about 1 hour ) 3. Get a piece of wood or plastic and adhesive it to the bottom of the Mast Float. 4. Spray Gel coat/ sand it down to get it nice and smooth. 5. that wood or plastic piece i placed at the bottom of the Mast Float drill into it and attach to the top of my Mast? sounds pretty simple and pretty cheap vs paying $200 bucks for a new one. any thoughts? |
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| Author: | blord5 [ Wed Apr 07, 2010 10:27 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Making a Mast Float |
I like the thought. My only thought would be to spread out the stress where the bob attaches to the mast head. One screw might not be enough to withstand the shear force on the bob when the mast tip hits the water. I think the "real" ones are fastened on both sides. send a pic when you have it done! |
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| Author: | centralmichigansailor [ Wed Apr 07, 2010 11:40 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Making a Mast Float |
Your idea may work...buuuuut: I remember reading somewhere that Hobie tested their float by fastening it to a mast, hoisting the mast to vertical, and letting the mast drop to see if the float would break off / crack...on dry land! I have personally used several of their floats on various cats, and have to say that when you see one / hold & inspect one in person...they really are worth the money. A faster, cleaner, stronger homemade version than yours might be made by adding a zippered pocket to each side in the top panel(s) of your sail (would require some sewing), and inserting thin sheets of foam, similar to some of the monohull sailboats. |
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| Author: | hobie18wanted [ Sun Oct 24, 2010 2:36 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Making a Mast Float |
or you could attach an empty soda bottle to your halyard |
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| Author: | Tom Machette [ Mon Oct 25, 2010 10:00 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Making a Mast Float |
or a gallon milk jug |
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| Author: | MBounds [ Mon Oct 25, 2010 5:02 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Making a Mast Float |
Polyester resin (gel coat) will dissolve styrofoam. Spraying gel on a foam core will result in a gloppy mess. |
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| Author: | toomanyboats [ Tue Oct 26, 2010 5:25 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Making a Mast Float |
If you're going to use bottles - DON'T use a soda bottle or milk jug. Use a heftier container, like a bleach bottle (already a nice white) or the jugs that windshield washing fluid comes in. And remember to change them frequently, as exposure to the sun will quickly degrade them. Maybe filling it with the NONEXPANDABLE "foam-in-a-can" would give it a little more heft? But I've gotta agree with "centralmichigansailor" - If you're concerned about turtling, Hobie Bobs [IMHO] are worth the time it takes to save the extra $$$ to get one. And it will look a WHOLE lot better. |
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