Salvage aid mod feasibility

[jjan]

Hi all,
Silly question time regarding a salvage aid modification (god forbid). I have been thinking of trying to fit a hose connection adapter somewhere in the ballast tank just in case I ever get knocked down on my side without ballast. To do this I would use a fish tape to pull the connector from the ballast port at the rear through to my chosen spot in the ballast tank. My logic is that if I do ever get pushed over and can't self right, water could be added to the ballast compartment by way of a small gas driven pump and hose thus hopefully filling the tank and righting the boat. I will hopefully never have to use this modification and it would be capped but ready if needed. Does anyone think that it would be feasible just in case of disaster as I have heard salvage of a boat can be expensive. I also know that the answer is always to have ballast but in truth many of us sometimes don't especially if towing a tube or board.
J

[Kelly Hanson East]

I think the cost of the pump and maintenance would outstrip a good seatow membership

I can't see rigging a pump on a boat lying down as being practical

[Don T]

Hello,
There is the possibility of rigging fittings onto a standard hand bilge pump so water could be pumped in via the vent hole. Simple, low cost, easy to stow. Only down side is hand pumping 200 gallons.

[Retcoastie]

Pumping into the vent hold would certainly exercise your arm but would do little for righting your boat. I doubt you could get more than half full without providing a vent for the top side of the ballast tank. Half a ballast tank would probably not right the boat and only make it float lower in the water, possibly allowing water to enter the cabin.

If you're concerned about knock downs, the first thing to do is add flotation to the top of the mast. Ms have a foam filled mast and Xs can be helped by adding a swim noodle down the top of the mast. This would help prevent turtling.

Next, I believe that plastic garbage bags stuffed into some type support bag, laundry bag or pillow case, tied to the top stanchions and hanging over the side towards the keel could be filled with water. That, plus your weight on the dagger/center board would probably right her just like a dinghy.

Hope we never have to find out.

Ken

[Blue Reef]

I think if i was contemplating going to that much trouble and expense to develop a salvage system just in case i was knocked down without ballast, i would not be using my Mac without the ballast tank full. I am more worried about my children falling down the companionway steps, but not enough to bubblewrap the entire area (or my children!). My point is that i am not sure the risk outweighs the effort/expense, especially when the risk can be nullified by adding ballast.

Just my 2 cents anyway.

Cam

[Russ]

I think if i was contemplating going to that much trouble and expense to develop a salvage system just in case i was knocked down without ballast, i would not be using my Mac without the ballast tank full. I am more worried about my children falling down the companionway steps, but not enough to bubblewrap the entire area (or my children!). My point is that i am not sure the risk outweighs the effort/expense, especially when the risk can be nullified by adding ballast.

Just my 2 cents anyway.

Cam

Agreed.

I would think that another boat could pull the mast up while someone stood on the dagger/center board until it righted itself.

--Russ

[Matt19020]

If the ballast is full I do not think you can be knocked down and stay down. Even in the promotional video it has the boat on her side and it has no problem righting. I understand that is in a controlled situation calm seas and no sails but I feel the boat should right itself.
I have been over as far as 50 degrees several times. The boat just rounded up and all was fine. I think if you were to go ahead and do this you may just be complicating the system and possibly giving the opportunity for something else to go wrong.

[extreem]

I have a beach cat that uses a rope attached to a center point. During a knockdown, you simply deploy the rope across the high side of the hull and hike out holding on to the rope or putting it around your waist. I think you could get alot more leverage this way than by standing on the center board.
Probably could just put a few wraps on one of the winches and cleat it off, then climb out onto the side of the hull that is in the air with the other end of the rope and lean back. Unless you are turtled, this should do the trick. Also helps if you can get the mast pointing toward the wind.

[Don T]

Hello,
It would depend on which way you were knocked down. If the transom valve is up you can fill the tank completely.