Sail Flotation

Posted By: Jeff
Date: 12/8/07 7:57a.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: Capsize Trouble!!! (dwait)

I have been trying not to turtle too! I have gone through all the same stages - Denial, Anger, trying to Figure Out how to cleverly mount one of those West Marine self inflating PFDs, to finally admitting helplessness. I was flailing around aimlessly on my web browser and discovered that MC Scows class rules require masthead flotation during racing - or maybe just in windy condions, doesn't matter here... bottom right of this page you see a hood to go over the head of main. http://www.mcscow.org/rigging/float.htm I bought one of these, I think it was about $180 and it fit pretty well on the North main for my Harpoon. It's a little big but if you let it ride a little low it's fine and doesn't look to bad. It goes over the sail including the rope that feeds into the mast. It has a clever, thin material that can do this and still feed through the mast track. And this locks it in place, it isn't going anywhere if you capsize. Sadly, I can't tell you that I have capsized yet to test it out...maybe if I can get someone to stand by in a power boat we'll try it. If you want one, here's the info, talk to Andy: I found this for sale by Melges Melges Boat Works P.O. Box 1 Zenda, WI 53195 Phone: (262) 275-1110 Fax: (262) 275-8012 email: Andy Burdick andy@melges.com