Hello

I'm an armchair cruiser, daysailer, epoxy salesman and
thinker...

I've been reading a book about 40 or 50 'yachts lost at
sea' stories. Interesting reading. Made me start to
think...

Seems to me that watertight bulkheads forward of the mast,
aft of the forward cockpit, and watertight floorboards
(lots of stories of water rising up thru the floorboards)
would be life/boat saving design elements. Also, engine
and batteries in water tight compartments vented to the
deck (always - rising water kills the engine and or
electric pumps/radio).

Maybe even a watertight companionway hatch so that the
entire main cabin could become a giant air chamber....

If not watertight bulkheads, how about inflatable airbags
in the cabin to keep the hull afloat?

On more unconventional design considerations - bilge keels
would have keep many of the boats I read about from
pounding their topsides to death on reefs or beaches. I
know bilge keels have there faults (I've read about
everything I could find on bilge keel cruisers) but a boat
that reduces draft when not heeled over and sits upright
could be a real life saver.

Even more radical might be a A frame type mast (ie. sold
shrouds, no center mast) would keep the rigging in place
after a roll-over/broach much better then a stick with
wire rigging.


Anyway, I'm surprised more offshore boats aren't resigned
or retro-fitted for max survival. As I read this book it
made me realize these aren't just boats, often they are a
couple's home for decades (and lost in minutes). Surely a
few watertight bulkheads and watertight/airtight hatches,
while probably a pain to deal with on a day to day basis,
could keep you alive and your home/boat afloat.

Comments anyone?


Paul Oman
progressive epoxy polymers


"Living on Earth is expensive, but it does include
a free trip around the Sun every year."