Having just joined Parkstone Yacht Club, my wife and I were hoping to do a bit of racing in our old Mk1 Wooden Wayfarer. However, before then, we had to have our boat measured and buoyancy tanks tested, to make sure our boat complied with the Wayfarer Association Class Rules.
The measurement, by Colin May, revealed a few anomalies, which at present, I am working on to put right. The failed buoyancy test, however, was not going to be so easily resolved.
During the testing of the forward and aft buoyancy tanks, the test equipment showed little change in the two water levels, displayed in the “U” bend of the plastic tube, suggesting a very big air leak somewhere, but where?
At this point, I dug out my copy of “Wayfarer Information Pack” and re-read section 2.1, “Buoyancy Tests Without Tears”, by Alan Wilson. I did the test again with a liberal application of soapy water, and this did reveal some air leaks.
However, in my case, what was needed was a much greater visual indication of where, and just how bad these leaks were. On discussing the problem with a member of staff at Bob’s Boats of Parkstone, builders of the Poole AB and International Contender, they suggested the use of Plumber’s Smoke Pellets inside the buoyancy tanks, a system they use themselves, to good effect, to reveal any air leaks. See photo 1.
I would now like to pass this idea on to others, who maybe shedding a few tears of their own, plus a few tips from other club members, which might help along the way to getting that annual buoyancy test certificate.
For the hatch lids, on our Mk1 Wooden Wayfarer, we were supplied with a 20mm x 10mm fairly dense rubber gasket, which we glued to the underside of the lids, themselves then, to be clamped down to the flat wooden rear deck/bulkhead with 4-6 catches, to form an airtight seal. As suggested by Dave Moss, a fellow Parkstone YC member, a better seal could be obtained, by the use of a hard narrow edge, protruding out from the hatch opening, coming into contact with a much softer vinyl foam rubber tape, on the lids. See photo 2 & photo 3
So, armed with this fresh advice, plus an alternative design for a Buoyancy Test kit, supplied by Richard Readings, see photo 4, I paid a visit to my local DIY store and bought the necessary materials. And after a few hours of DIY, I am happy to report that my buoyancy test is, now carried out without tears.
My thanks go to Bob’s Boats, for the suggested use of Plumber’s Smoke Pellets, and to fellow club members of Parkstone Yacht Club who are always very ready to help new members to the club.
Pack of 6 Plumber’s Smoke Pellets: See Photo 5
4 meters of clear plastic tube. ½" internal diameter and 1 none return valve. See Photo 4
2x2 meters of 30mmx2mm Aluminum strips plus screws. See Photo 2
4 meters of 19mm x 5mm self adhesive soft vinyl foam tape. See Photo 3
By Alex Crook
