Someone more or less beat me to it:

Posted By: pehr jansson (Harpoon 5.2)
Date: 10/22/07 1:27p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: An invention? (pehr jansson (Harpoon 5.2))

( 1 of 1 ) United States Patent 5,255,624 Legare October 26, 1993 Sailboat mast floatation device Abstract An inflatable mechanism for attachment to the top of a sailboat mast to counteract turtling (complete rotation of the boat into an inverted position where the mast is pointed straight down into the water) during a capsize. The device functions by producing a torque consisting of the water displacement force and the mast as a lever arm. When the boat tips over on its side during a capsize this torque balances the boat's natural tendency to continue to roll over into an inverted position. Claims What is claimed is: 1. A device for producing a buoyant force to a sailboat mast having upper and lower ends, said device comprising: a) an inflatable balloon having an open end; b) means connecting said balloon to said mast adjacent said mast upper end; c) a source of compressed gas selectively actuable to emit said gas through an outlet, said gas source positioned adjacent said lower end of said mast; d) an enclosed tube having opposite open ends respectively connecting said gas source outlet and said balloon for inflation of said balloon in response to actuation of said gas source; e) a halyard extending substantially along said mast; f) means connecting one end of said halyard to said balloon; and g) a plurality of guide rings connecting said enclosed tube and said halyard to maintain said tube and halyard substantially adjacent one another.