Hi all,
this sort of thing is becoming a problem I hear from OZ as well as on the Forum. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
I think number one priority is to have righting ropes that are set up ready to be used, as I mentioned in another thread I cartwheeled twice last weekend with kite up. The only time taken was getting kite put away when boat was on it's side. My righting ropes 8mm, run in a vee from main beam inside of hull, almost to the back beam in the middle and then back to main beam inside of hull on opposite side. The rope has a loop tied in the middle which is at the right length for me to put on my trap hook and lean out against while I am standing on the hull, there is bungee tied to the loop which runs through a pulley at the middle of the back beam then forward to the main beam, this gives enough stretch to let rope out and pull it back under tramp after righting. Once the mast and sail break free of the water I pull hand over hand until the boat flips up. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Certainly when boat is mast down, mast seals are going to be under most pressure. I have never found foam and silicone to be adequate, alot of places we sail in OZ masts hit the bottom (sand or mud)which pushes foam into mast breaking the seal. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />
We have found if you want mast sealed at the tip, best to make a cap that fits into the mast with a flange that sits proud of mast end so it can not be pushed in. I have seen poly bread board used for this, it's cheap easy to get from most hardware or kitchen shops and some supermarkets. Easy to work with hack saw blade and file/rasp. Then silicone seal and put screws through mast into plug to hold in place positively. The other option is light wood or even the piece of foam sandwich that is left when hatches are cut in deck.
Altered's carbon mast has a number of rivets right at the top, so in this case I have sealed it 2" down. With a light timber pug which I covered in epoxy so it is glued in place. (I figure if I ever need to remove it I will drill it out.) Then all other fixings in mast are sealed with silicone. The big difference to most is that there are no plugs at the bottom of the mast the base plate has a hole of finger size in it. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
The drain hole at the base of the mast use to be a required safety standard in Vic. Not sure about now. It has always allowed me to get the boat righted, as even if there is water in mast, it drains out once you get it horizontal. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> The only time I have been unable to get a cat upright was when I got it onto it's side from turtled but I was unaware that it had a plug above the hounds and it had filled with water and mud above this, so was to heavy for me to get up. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />
Hope this may give some solutions. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Regards Gary. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />