Dick,

I just read your email exchange with Richard Johnson on Uncle Al's whiffle web.
 
 

[Quote] Mast flotation.  You can obtain from Britain, a self-inflatable flotation pillow which is the best solution I've seen.  It is probably available over here also, but I can't tell you where.  This device is hoisted to the mast head via an auxiliary halyard and is unobtrusive. Upon contact with the water it self-inflates. [/Quote]

Having gone through the process myself, in preparation of my first open sea cruise, that due to circumstances did not happen yet. I can give you the following references:

The automatic mast head flotation devices you refer to, are made by Secumar, a German company. Secumar is a well known company and a popular brand over here for rescue devices. They have many dealers in Germany, France, England and Holland. I am sure that you can locate one that accepts mail orders, through their on-line dealer data-base. http://www.secumar.com/
Or more specifically: http://www.secumar.com/secumar/e/php/produkte.77.html

Personally I am a bit sceptical about these automated gadgets. You need to take them down after each sail and store them in a dark, dry spot for they age rapidly in sunlight. Also you need to check the mechanism regularly and replace the salt tablet. Failing to do so may jeopardise the reliability of the device. (This is no different from the automatic life vests you probably already know).

I prefer the simpler (and more cost effective) solution of having an inflatable cushion in the top of the mainsail. Though hoisting a Skippy ball or a fender, as suggested in your mail, may be a good solution for inshore, sunny weather cruising, I would rather rely on permanent sail head buoyancy for when the going really gets tough. An inflatable cushion made exactly right for the Wayfarer sail is available from Boats 'n Bits in Norfolk, England. (I believe it was made on Ralph Roberts’s specifications, not sure though). Boats 'n bits accept mail orders through their web site: http://www.boatsnbits.co.uk/
 

When the buoyancy cushion isn't inflated to its maximum and its shape is allowed to follow the curves of the mainsail, it will not distort the most important, leeward side of the sail. The "bubble" is mostly on the luff side where it doesn't do much harm to the sail's efficiency.

Jens Konge has made a drawing of the pocket that has to be made in the top of the mainsail... which can be found by clicking here.

I just copied the drawing and gave it to my sail maker together with the cushion. Then I told him I wanted Ralph’s idea added; that is to have a closing flap at the rear of the pocket that flips over the leech of the sail and closes with Velcro. My sail maker then suggested to add an opening to the lowest corner of the pocket to allow water to escape from it. Actually, he left a small part of the seam unstitched. The Velcro closes the pocket nicely and in regatta’s (with the cushion removed) you hardly notice it’s there. (Note: Later I discovered that a drain hole is required by the class rules)

Racing cruisers or Cruising racers (?) should be aware of rule 31.7 that a/o limits the size of the sail head buoyancy pocket.

Be advised that not all their products are listed on the Boats 'n Bits web site. Send an Email to Richard Parker, the owner and a Wayfarer sailor, and ask about it. Boats ‘n bits also have a special Wayfarer page: http://www.boatsnbits.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Wayfarer_fittings_66.html

That page among other things, shows the ultimate outboard bracket. While Porter's is still using their cast aluminium one, a new SS version is now available (not listed). (Serial numbers 1 & 2 are on Ralph's boat and SN 3 is on mine :-) 

Best wishes,

Ton Jaspers (NED W5011)

----- Original Message ----- 
From: wayfarer 
To: rmharrington2@juno.com ; Dick-Harrington@uswayfarer.org 
Cc: Al Schonborn 
Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2003 9:20 AM
Subject: Cruising / Mast head boyancy

Dick,

I just located the US and Canadian dealer for Secumar products: http://www.stearnsinc.com/

They do not list the mast head buoyancy cushion. But often not all products are listed on the web pages. A phone call may solve this mystery.

Best wishes,

Ton Jaspers (NED W5011)