Positive bouyancy question.

[cormorant]

Oldboot

The problem with retrofitting is that people don't use the righ glues, tools , maths materials or designs. They use stuff for things it was never designed for.

If you own a small tinny with no electrics go to the water and pull the plug and have a play.

If you look at the design changes the manufacturers have had to do it is substantial.

Changing original design can void your insurance

Can only suggest people get professional advice and have a good read on how water reacts inside a open topped container in water. If you can't understand the terms, maths and calculations get someone who can. Look past a millpond and go sit in the bath now with a tupperware container. Stick a bit of foam on it here an dthere and see how it reacts empty . full and with a bit of swell. Ya kids will love the extra parent time they are getting.

I'm off for a walk on the beach to grab a few extra thongs and broken boards to put under my tinny floor that isn't screwed down as I'll feel safer. If I have any extras I'll make up a thong and milk bottle life jacket.

I must ask if you think out=r floatation standards are good? USA has had better ones for yeras I think? Why aren't ours at least equal to them?

[Fish Lips]

....If I have any extras I'll make up a thong and milk bottle life jacket......

That was funny.

Good thread fellas, keep it coming, learning so much

cheers

[rando]

OK
I picked EVA on the basis that i saw it was available in relatively thick sheets, that its is commonplace, and therefore should be easily and cheaply available. Its flexible so i can easily persuade it to fit nice and neat, and its durable, so it wont get too gouged and compressed from use. Also it is available in a rainbow of colours so i could make it look good if i got enthused. I have only safety colours in mind atm

If there is something better and cheaper etc I'm all ears.
Because as she stands at the moment if "Mullet" took on water I would be floating all alone in the briny cause she would sink like a stone.

Correct me if I'm wrong but someone mentioned a 3 person valise raft ,, that would cost in the thousands I would think.
Whereas I hopeI can get a survival platform for a fraction of that.

Ps
Cormorant, the floor is screwed down nice and solid, but that wont help me if she is full of water, any flotation I do fit will be fixed, not loose,

By the way, yes i have put a largish bilge pump in, 900lt/m from memory. I am also considering a double action hand operated bilge pump from off one of my previous sail boats, but then,in a small boat a couple of 20lt buckets would be just as fast

How much do you charge for the milk bottle vests

[cormorant]

Shsss I'm trying to corner the market in milk bottle tops. I want to have the rules changed so only purple ones are allowed and every 6 months change the colour so i have a permanent retirement income. Off to the patents office and to bribe a politician or 2. They are cheaper in bulk?

With foam in boats I am just trying to say a lot of thought has to go into it if you really expect level foatation and for it to last. 'm not against it. Hope no one ever ends up in he situation whee they need it.

[oldboot]

fair is fair... there have been some valid points raised in this thread from a variety of angles.

It is important to spend that little extra time and thaught before you start slathering goo and sticking foam or whatever to your boat.

Oh there is a very big difference in adding some flotation to a small open boat and modifying the design of some fancy rich mans boat.

Consider that thye majority of small tinnies are both uninsured and possibly underfloated.... a bit of carefully considerd flotation won't go astray.

consider also, the flotation installed in the thwart seats in the majority of small aluminium boats is ( still) either styrofoam or another mix and pour foam that would be considered inappropriate in "serious boat building".
This is not a problem because this flotation is neither immersed in operation or in permanent contact with water....AND.. it is open to drainage and transpiration so it can dry between uses.


Because someone may not apply the principles correctly, is no reason not to employ a safety measure.... on the contrary we should be encouraging serious thought about the matter and not saying it is all too hard.

This is sufficient concern that one of the southern states (vic or tas, cant remember) is activly encouraging people to improve the floatation of their boats and publishes a brocure on the matter.

cheers

[black runner]

f

This is sufficient concern that one of the southern states (vic or tas, cant remember) is activly encouraging people to improve the floatation of their boats and publishes a brocure on the matter.

cheers

It's by Marine and Safety Tasmania OB see below

http://www.mast.tas.gov.au/domino/ma...df?OpenElement

Cheers

[oldboot]

Yep thats the one.

Anybody reading this thread should follow that link and read it.

cheers

[alcam2001]

Not wanting to derail the floatation thread...... but a number of threads mention the issue of occupants 'swimming in fuel' in the event of a swamping or capsize. Is there some background to this ? Does the fuel connection somehow rupture, or do the breathers pour big amounts of fuel out ? (instead of just a dribble). Just wondering - never been in a swamp/capsize, but the fire hazzard aspect is worrying.

[cormorant]

Depends on the set up, inboard, outboard, tote tanks but not a lot of fuel or oil but it only takes a little bit to make agreat big slick and still get in your eyes and all over you. The motion in water is possibly spitting a little out the breather with every swell.

[Fish Lips]

Hopefully the fuel slick keeps the SHARKS away!

[cormorant]

I always assumed that any scent would attract attention.

[Fish Lips]

I always assumed that any scent would attract attention.

Sounds like a challenge for the boys on "Mythbusters"

Will dousing yourself in petrol keep sharks away, or does it drive them into a wild feeding/sexual frenzy, where they either eat you or hump you.

[rando]

Sounds like a challenge for the boys on "Mythbusters"

Will dousing yourself in petrol keep sharks away, or does it drive them into a wild feeding/sexual frenzy, where they either eat you or hump you.

End result is the same isnt it

[moater]

Pictures from a yank site regarding fools that use empty milk bottles etc.

[Fish Lips]

End result is the same isnt it

Dinner and a movie first would be nice.

I don't just put out for the first horny shark that comes along.