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I thought this looked like a good idea (4 big pool noodles on the upper spar to prevent turtling). Has anyone done this? If so, have you tried capsizing? Do you have any advice?
I am 75, have been sailing/racing small sailboats since age 16, have capsized at least once per season but never turned turtle....until last summer. I was sailing the Sunfish close hauled in gusty, very shifty conditions and sailed right into 20 mph 100 degree shift. The sail instantly filled on the other side, pushed the boom into my chest and over it went with me scrambling to get out from under the rig and back to the surface. The boat turtled before I could get around the hull and grab the daggerboard. Righting the boat and dragging my sorry butt back on board took about 5 minutes (glad I was not racing when all this happened.) In retrospect, I wondered if a better move would have been to swim out to the head of the sail and grab it to prevent a turtle then swim for the daggerboard when things stabilized a bit. Any thoughts? And, no, I will not tie a plastic milk bottle to the rig!
Alan Glos
Cazenovia, NY
We use the large size pool noodle without the big hole in it. We slice the noodle lengthwise and wrap it as shown. More flotation than the one above.
The boat will turtle with air tight spars. You will find when you flip the booms remain empty. More flotation is needed thus the solutions presented.Why not make spars air tight or insert air tight pve tubes or short lenght of foam in top end of spars?
Expect foam could get wet and heavy but not if dryed out after use?
I suggest using 3M 5200 instead......prevent a turtle then swim for the daggerboard when things stabilized a bit. Any thoughts? And, no, I will not tie a plastic milk bottle to the rig!
Alan Glos
Cazenovia, NY
I hope you are not serious about gluing something to the booms with 5200.I suggest using 3M 5200 instead...
Easy mistake...probably meant West Systems epoxy.I hope you are not serious about gluing something to the booms with 5200.
Well why would you want to epoxy something to the booms?Easy mistake...probably meant West Systems epoxy.
This summer, I'll have to test two Sunfish side-by-side, comparing the two remedies.I would go milk jug or foam on the upper boom and have it extend well beyond the end of the boom. People who sail should learn to right a boat that has completely turtled for safety reasons. You won't always be sailing a boat with foam or a bottle.