[quote=DamonLinkous][quote=makinmajik]That one sounds a bit more complex than what I was thinking of. .[/quote]
Yeah, the "inflation tube up the mast" method sounds like a lot of parts and problems.
Take the autoinflate mechaism from a pfd and package it in a tight hardshell package (maybe auto airbag material) shaped to match the contour of the front of a mast tip. Then just adjust the depth required to inflate to like 10 feet to avoid accidental deployment.
For square-top sails I always thought a float like this could be developed.
[url]http://www.thebeachcats.com/pictures/?g2_itemId=12206[/url]
[img]http://www.thebeachcats.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=12219&g2_serialNumber=7[/img][/quote]
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