Mike, My sail storage tube is made out of 8" PVC pipe, with a cap on one end and screw cap on the other. I am thinking of cutting the tube in half, with a screw cap on both ends, joined with a coupler in the middle, but not glued. That way, I could gain access to the sail tube from either end.

Then it could be pulled apart. Put a regular push-on cap on the open end of each half, with SS screws (again not glued), and strapped under the tramp, with the push-on cap end forward. These now, two tubes would be strapped under the tramp, right next to the hulls where they would interfere least with the hydralics going on under the boat, and especially in the center. It may even work better putting the tubes on the outside of the tramp, but still ontop of the hulls. Right below the side rails. An experienced cat sailor could probably let us know which would work best!

Once under way, the weight in the tube, would lift more out of the water as the hulls lift. You would want the weight balanced, side to side, and front to back, but because there is no central mass, the handling of the boat should remain balanced. They would also present minimal drag, and if you went all out, you could build a shaped cap out of fiberglass, that would be even more efficient, built right over the original PVC cap. That way it would still be a good fit for water tight.

Also the tubes being water tight, would add to the basic flotation of the boat, such that if you did capsize, they would not interfere with recovery. I have been concerned about gear on the tramp, being in the way, coming loose, and then being lost. If the tube did come loose, it may be good to leave a retrieval line tied to it, but it would be alot easier to see than a small bag floating around in the big ocean.

I think the gear could stay dry, You could get a lot of camping gear in the tubes, but use a push pole (like your hot stick), to push the gear in, and leave a retreival rope hanging back to the cap, so that you can pull the gear back out. I would still put it in dry bags, if for no other reason than organization.

Another thought that I had, is that you may have critter (raccoons) on the island, and you could leave your food or other gear, in the tubes to make it critter proof. Sort of like bear barrels in Alaska, though I understand that you do not have too many grizzlies in Florida. Raccoons can cause plenty of damage!

Overall, I would not have increased my normal gear load on the trailer, since I am getting double function out of the sail storage tube, and this way the tramp stays clear. You would also want your camping gear already in the small dry bags, so that all you have to do is stuff them in the storage tube once it is in place on the Cat. Once at your destination, the straps could be easily released, to remove the tubes for day sailing. TnT