On Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:49:23 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:

The biggest risk to open boats is swamping and capsize. That can
happen right at the dock in storm conditions.

I think I'll give up on the patch kit idea for a while.
No real interest, since the chance of needing it is slight.
Now, anti-capsize. That's interesting.

Time to start talking about inflatable amas deploying from
the gunnels in swamp/capsize situations.
And manual bailing methods when batteries are wet.

Manual bailing is easy. One gallon plastic jugs with the bottom cut
out work very well.

Automatically deployable amas may take a little more engineering.
:-)

One thing I've sometimes seen on Whalers and Carolina Skiffs is to
ring the boat with fair sized inflatable fenders. This is usually
done on boats that are being used as tenders or for sailing
instruction but it might provide a useful increase in flotation and
capsize resistance for any boat.