Squib buoyancy supplements

Published 17:01 on 25 Nov 2014

As we approach the end of season, and for some of us this has already arrived, you may be contemplating all the winter jobs to be carried out on your Squib. Some urgent and some just maintenance, performance improvements, worn out ropes, sticky cleats ... the list gets longer !In my relatively short time sailing a Squib I have seen several boats swamped, usually involving a spinnaker during a windy race, and for the subjects involved in each case it was at the end of their race ! In the Solent a couple of years ago a well known experienced Squib was towed in with little more than its bow fitting visible after the stern tank had failed.Here's a cost effective safety modification we have just completed on 153 ...Behind the helm's seat and beneath the deck we have installed a medium-sized pillow bag. Each is kept in place with a thin piece of bungee - with a hole drilled in the deck and one in the seat.The type we've used are currently available for less than £50 for the pair - bargain !http://www.sailboats.co.uk/holt-buoyancy-pillow-bag-36-x-12It took us an hour to fit the bags, although we had to pad the rubbing strake self-tappers which were poking through the hull - a piece of vinyl flooring over each screw point stuck in place with a blob of sealant !You're welcome to have a look at 153 any time.

Last updated 15:13 on 28 July 2025