Posted by Andy G on August 19, 2005 at 11:34:46 from 130.159.248.44 user AndyG.
In Reply to: Re: Swallow anew? posted by Laurence Monkhouse on August 18, 2005 at 15:49:34:
You perhaps overestimate the amount of bouyancy required, Laurence.
Stuart Weir estimates the mass of ballast in the Swallow as being around 100lbs, divided into 5 little pigs and a big one. That mass (which perhaps feels a little low?) requires only around 45 litres of bouyancy to support it in water. One medium-sized Crewsaver "pillow" bag would do. The wooden hull is inherently buoyant, of course. I therefore believe it would be realistic to mount no more than, say, a couple of 45 litre buoyancy bags in any replica, to avoid her ever reaching the bottom.
Critics might point out that modern racing dinghies carry much more buoyancy than this; but then they carry relatively more sail, have tippier hull forms, are much more likely to be pushed to a capsize, and - once righted - they need to float with their mast still stepped and with their sails up, so that the top of the centreboard case is above (or very close to) the level of the surrounding water. This is not an issue in a floating centreboard-less boat whose shroudless mast could be removed in moments. You'd just need good balance and a big bucket.
I don't think minimal buoyancy in a Swallow replica's case is a bad thing - but it's cheering to see Jock's mail pointing out that the Directives avoid forcing the need for modern levels of buoyancy when careful handling would be more valuable insurance for all concerned.
Regards,
Andy