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Mast Head Float

Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2017 8:24 am
by Richard
In fruity condtions, a guy at my club with an RS700 uses 2No 4 pint milk bottles for mast head float. He swears by them, saying he can drop the kite from the hull side before the boat starts to invert.

My mast broke at the natonals last year. Can't say with absolute certainty, but think after a pitch pole the mast had already hit the bottom and broke before I was able to get back to the boat to start righting it.

1) Is float class legal
2) Is there risk of breaking mast during pitch pole because of the additional bouyancy at mast head with floats fitted
3) I can't really see there would be a windage issue, but anyone disagree?

I'm thick skinned so happy to take any banter. Don't be surprised to see me sponsored by Tesco at the World's!

Cheers, Richard MPS 419

Re: Mast Head Float

Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2017 1:03 pm
by Rick
The biggest problem with a mast head float is that if you get separated the boat will blow away, if it turtles you can swim back to it.

Re: Mast Head Float

Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2017 1:08 pm
by PaulM
Tricky, I think some one has hacked your account :lol: :lol:

Re: Mast Head Float

Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 8:36 pm
by paul manning
1) Is float class legal
It's not in the class rules, but as with all classes the class rules are only applicable when racing.
2) Is there risk of breaking mast during pitch pole because of the additional bouyancy at mast head with floats fitted
It's possible as the mast isn't designed to take the additional buoyancy / surface area when it hits the water.
3) I can't really see there would be a windage issue, but anyone disagree?
Anything flapping around at the top of a mast is windage. How much it affects your performance is another question :wink:

Re: Mast Head Float

Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 10:35 pm
by sandyday
Some thoughts on floats, from a user...

Mast head floats are allowed in the new rules... C5.1 (10)

Of course there will be some windage, but if it keeps you sailing longer when you're learning because you get less tired righting the boat that must be a good thing.

It's true that if you capsize to windward downwind with the sail in the air the boat will sail away from you, so you have to hang on.

I don't know what the extra risk of damage when you pitchpole would be... I haven't pitchpoled yet... but set against that you can't stick your mast into the seabed and break it that way if you have a float...

Once I capsize a bit less frequently I will probably stop using it.

Re: Mast Head Float

Posted: Tue May 02, 2017 8:16 pm
by paul manning
I'd forgotten the new rules had been published :!:

Sandy's points are all very well made...

Re: Mast Head Float

Posted: Thu May 04, 2017 7:30 am
by DangerBoy
I can't say I've ever pitchpoled; Does that mean I'm doing something wrong, or just don't sail in big enough waves?

Re: Mast Head Float

Posted: Thu May 04, 2017 3:04 pm
by Bruce
Richard, I think this would serve you much better than milk bottles.
If not then at least we would be entertained :D Image

In the wind strengths where you might want a float, the aerodynamic drag would be significant and the last thing you want is drag high up.

@Mark,
... just don't sail in big enough waves
not sure you can consider the ripples at Datchet, waves! Wind against tide is normally the catalyst for pitchpoles.

Re: Mast Head Float

Posted: Thu May 04, 2017 4:38 pm
by DangerBoy
Bruce wrote:@Mark,
... just don't sail in big enough waves
not sure you can consider the ripples at Datchet, waves! Wind against tide is normally the catalyst for pitchpoles.


I do travel elsewhere, its not like i'm based at Stokes Bay so have travel phobia!! but same anywhere else though, even that washing machine you call the Solent, maybe my arse hanging off the back is just too heavy

Re: Mast Head Float

Posted: Thu May 04, 2017 5:42 pm
by Richard
The pool at the sailing club does look rather nice.

Perhaps I am more suited to sipping cocktails while bobbing around on a pink Flamingo. I shall make sure I take my briefest "budgie smugglers".