Optimist mast floats

Craig Rees

New Member
Can anyone tell me if the Optimist mast floats are enough to keep the Capri 14.2 from turtling?
 
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Th point was...

If we are looking at the same Optiparts item... its going to easily do the job.

Possibly a pair of pool noodles could be rigged to do the job.
 
Thx for the ideas & comments. I had a 12' Kolibri back in the day & pushed it to the max without ever tipping. But the reason I'm asking the question is several sailors say the Capri 14.2 is a tippy boat. I understand some may not have a lot of experience. But I'm sure many do. I do underststand how to keep a boat upright. But everything in life does not go as planned. Sailors or some of the forums that were shy about using mast floats were no shy about using them after they had a turtle. They didn't seem to care what other sailors thought after the mast got stuck in the muddy bottom.
 
I've got one of these. Works great, looks good, very inexpensive. Like it much better than the big, permanent, expensive Hobie float.

Anti Turtle Mast Float
Thanks for the reply & your experience with the mast floats. I like too that they are one of the least expensive mast floats. There's some on EBay for I think around $47 delivered from the UK.
 
Thanks for the reply & your experience with the mast floats. I like too that they are one of the least expensive mast floats. There's some on EBay for I think around $47 delivered from the UK.
Would they work 100% sure for the Capri 14?
 
Work great on mine.
Clips in with the main halyard, folds around the sail, then rides up the track in the mast when you raise sail. Easy.
 
My concern also. I need assurance that it will work as well as the Hobie Bob before I would get one.....
I contacted a seller in the UK by email & asked them if the floats would work with the Catalina 14.2. They said that they were not familiar with the 14.2 sail boat. Well, they really aren't familiar with the 14.2, and/or don't want to commit that they will work with or won't with the 14.2. I'm going to purchase a set myself on EBay for 47 delivered.
 
"works as well" is a matter of displacement and location of the float.

Mini Bob is 1/2 cubic ft displacement. This is in excess of DOUBLE what is needed to prevent turtling on my Vagabond 14 which is easily comparable to the Catalina 14.2. I laid the Vagabond over and the mast didn't touch the waves until almost at the bob.

The ( Mast Float Kit - Hobie Mini Bob | Mariner Sails | Dallas, TX )Optimist floats are right at half the displacement of the Mini Bob. 8 liter = .28 cu ft = Appx 18 lb displacement

Mini bob is hard shell, which will work for a while even with some holes.
Optimist is inflatable, so if it gets a hole its going flat while the boat is upright and is not going to be effective.

Optimist makes other sizes... but as long as its functional the small should be plenty for this size boat. I'd expect the small Optimist float on the Vagabond 14 to have about 1/3 of the mast wet. The smaller float being lower on the mast and not as wide.

Optimist's float is lighter and doesn't look as silly...

Obviously with lower displacement and lower on the mast, its not going to do the same. I'm curious why they didn't fill it with the stuff pool noodles are made of or similar so it couldn't fail due to a pinhole.

You can haul a square tossable life preserver (22 lb displacement) to the top of your mast and be pretty close to the flotation of the Optimist... lay the boat over on purpose beside the boat ramp. Then you'll know what to expect.
 
I'm watching this thread closely. The mast for mine JUST fits into the garage and a Bob of any sort would make it too long. Plus I like the pricing on the Optimist way better :)

I read in another forum that a boat fender could be used also. Anyone done that?
 
I'm watching this thread closely. The mast for mine JUST fits into the garage and a Bob of any sort would make it too long. Plus I like the pricing on the Optimist way better :)

I read in another forum that a boat fender could be used also. Anyone done that?

So I'm getting slugs installed on my main to facilitate easier hoist / lower /reefing operations. Seems like the Optimist would work best sliding over the original bolt rope but not slugs, so I'm not comfortable ordering these and then maybe it won't work.
Also unsure about the comparative floatation performances between the two designs.
Don't like the fact that if it did get a pin leak at the wrong time that could be a problem, plus the hassle of inflating/deflating each time I would use it.
The guy I'm working with will make the perfect mounting bracket for the Bob for about $70 or so. I'm going to run with the Bob!
 
For a boat the size of the Capri and smaller...I expect you could just run a couple of the large dia pool noodles up, tied like pennants to the halyard and grommet at the top of the sail.

Should keep the mast out of the mud if the water is more than a couple of feet deep.

Cheap... and you can simply do the test of laying the boat over where and when its most convenient to you and seeing if its enough flotation.
 
I had a 12' Kolibri back in the day. It had a styro foam block in the bow storage area. There are no floats in my Capri 14.2. Should there be? If it would help. Would pool noodles be a good choice. One noodle can keep up a body in the water. Or something in case of a capsize?
 
Can anyone tell me if the Optimist mast floats are enough to keep the Capri 14.2 from turtling?
I had the same question. Since the season is fast approaching I will err to the side of caution and get the Bob. Being a solo sailor makes this essential. The guy I'm dealing with will make up a custom bracket for mounting, I can forward his contact info if you like. Also I have the version 1 (1986) and see that there are foam blocks under the seat areas. You need to secure the cuddy hatch cover when underway which will keep the air pocket intact, there's the floatation system.
But there is another issue I soon have to decide upon.......
I bought the small trolling motor (Minkota 30) that was suggested by the Forum guys. And they recommended the Odyssey 680 battery, which I plan to mount just inside the cuddy area. Now it weighs about 15 lb and gives approx 1 hour of run time at half speed on the motor. The next larger battery size doubles the run time but weights 10 lb more.
Issues about larger battery:
1. Additional weight affecting boat trim.
2. Harder to install/remove the battery each time I use it. Boat will be stored in a public area so there is concern about theft, also no way to charge the unit there.
3. Worst problem is how I will mount the battery to keep it secure when I dump the boat. I can engineer a way to do that but it will be a lot easier if the unit weighs 10 lbs less.

I guess it's up to me to decide what's the best option. Anybody have experiance with this scenario?
 
Well of course the only other option, beside paddles is an outboard on the transom. There's quite a bit of cost in an outboard. I like the cost idea of an electric, but not the issue of the battery weight.
 
Well of course the only other option, beside paddles is an outboard on the transom. There's quite a bit of cost in an outboard. I like the cost idea of an electric, but not the issue of the battery weight.
10-4 on that!
The good things about electrical option are:
1. Lower purchase and operating costs.
2. Lighter weight on the transom. And battery can be installed up front for better balance.
3. Ability to use the motor on smaller lakes that don't allow gas ones (huge!).
4. Quiet and fume free.
5. Don't have to deal with 2 cycle gas BS.

So I am inclined to go with the lighter battery. 15 lbs is manageable. The main purpose for the motor is to make it easy to accomplish dock manuvering and hoist / lower sails while underway. If it's a super light air day I would not stray far from the launch area so long range motoring would not be in my game plan anyway.
 
So, do you know if that Minn Kota 30 has enough power to get you into shore? I see that motor is sold on EBay for about $104 delivered & no tax. What will happen to a gas motor taking in water when you capsize? I get that not venturing out too far with light winds. I think I got caught out on a lake once where I had to paddle in my 12' Kolibri.
 
I used Search Tempest to check all of the Craigslist sites in the US and turned up a used Baby Bob for sale. It was listed at $30.00 and it cost me another $30.00 for shipping, which was a tad bit high but still, all in all, way better than $130.00 for a new one. I've already cut an oak base to mount it on the mast, so it won't take long to have it finished.
 
And I made a mount for the Bob yesterday out of aluminum so now the Bob can be dismounted when storing the boat in the garage.
 

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For a boat the size of the Capri and smaller...I expect you could just run a couple of the large dia pool noodles up, tied like pennants to the halyard and grommet at the top of the sail.

Should keep the mast out of the mud if the water is more than a couple of feet deep.

Cheap... and you can simply do the test of laying the boat over where and when its most convenient to you and seeing if its enough flotation.
How about sliding some pool noodles down the mast for buoyancy?
 
Is anyone familiar with Ruk Sport mast floats? These are inflatable.
They come out of the UK. They are sized by liters. I can't find any info or pics of how they attach to the mast. Or what size or pound boat to choose.
 
Craig, it looks like it just ties to anything at top of the mast. I can vision attaching to an eye on side of mast at top. Should not interfere with sail. More like a flag. I like its light weight. Has two built in eyelet attach points. For some reason I can upload a pic
RUK Sport 10l Mast Float | eBay
 
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Craig, it looks like it just ties to anything at top of the mast. I can vision attaching to an eye on side of mast at top. Should not interfere with sail. More like a flag. I like its light weight. Has two built in eyelet attach points. For some reason I can upload a pic
RUK Sport 10l Mast Float | eBay
I was thinking that the Ruk sport float could be tied & the grommet could be screwed into the mast. I think for looks sake. Mounted on the very top FRONT of the mast. There are comments about pin leaks. This type of material I'm sure is what's used in rubber rafts, etc. Not a poly vinyl cheapo material.
 
Just found these in a float search online. Great way to keep mast head afloat at least for awhile. Not sure how buoyant......BUT it has less windage and weight than a mast head float.

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