Adding bouyancy - retrofit tanks or simpler solution
I have so many questions as this is my first boat, I should start a 'general calls for help' thread, but maybe starting seperate threads each time will be best. :? (I'm considering a thread name change already)
Background;
I have a 12'6" catspaw dinghy, bought a few weeks ago, again, my first boat.
Strip planked in spruce, epoxy glued and sheathed, single layer matt weave inside, 2 layers of bi-weave cloth on outside. Mahoganhy makes up most of the 'non hull' timber. (made from the wooden boat magazine book/plan in the late 80's)
Inside is varnished, outside painted.
The seat layout is not real functional for my single person sailing (the majority of its use) - I sit in the hull between the stern seat and the rear thwart (fitted to the rear of the centreboard casing). Its a V-hull, with a 60 square foot sprit sail (11'6" for both mast and sprit), and in 10 - 15 knot winds I have not needed to hike at all, 15 -20 knot I just had to lean back hard on the hull (I'm @ 120kg's in weight).
I want to put in bouyancy. (I have been using old car inner tubes lashed under the seats)
What are my options?
Please bear in mind that a part of the enjoyment I get from this boat is from the look of its sexy interior, e.g. if it were fiberglass/plastic, I'd see it as 'just a tool', but I really like the look of timber.
I have large H. Mahogany boards, and maybe 2 (+) cubic meters of spruce/pine/fir boards (fast grown, light, rubbishy stuff, but mostly 1/4 sawn), I can work timber pretty well and also have no dramas laying 'sexy' veneer over ply, and can do 'fair' job of epoxy encapsulation (ok, a crap job for pro's, fair for weekend warriors).
The way I figure it, the options are:
1. get some thick pvc bouyancy bags made up for stern seat and under thwarts.
2. make a ply bouyancy 'tank' to fill the space between the front thwart and mast partner but instead of fixing it to the hull, put a bouyancy bag in it, and a bouyancy bag under the stern seat.
3. combine option 2 with extending the stern seat so that a bench runs along the hull to the rear thwart.
4. ???
Future mods will be:
I know that in the future I will replace the sail with something bigger and able to be reefed (maybe a lugsail will suit),
The pivoting centreboard is giving me annoyance... its jamming as its too tight and is not so much a foil as a rounded board... the casing is capped off, and I may want to take the top 'capping' off and replace the cb with a foil shape. I raise this as the bouyancy mod should not have to be redone if I change other things.
As always, apologies for a long post and your thoughts and assistance will be gratefully received by this 'all things boat ignoramous'. :)