DS II Extreme Makeover

[ifrichard]

Hi All,

Near my house there is an excellent example of a DS II for sale. It has a tabernacle (Mast is probably not tapered) and some old sails. It would make a good family boat (even has a nice electric motor). As a race boat, it is a DS II. Also, I am near an active fleet of DS I.

My questions: Do the rules allow these modifications?
1) Removing the cockpit sole and sealing the seats airtanks in a different way to the hull. Should take 100 lbs away.
2) Stiffening the hull with battens as in a DS I.
3) Rebuild the centerboard trunk (My understanding is the DS I and probably the DS II usually has an out of line CB trunk)
4) Open up the cuddy bulkhead more like a DS I while adding some stiffening between the chain stays
5) Put some 3" X 6" rectangular holes in the transom to let out lots of water.
6) Add Elvstrom bailers
7) Build new rudder and CB foils.

I would also have to buy new sails. I already have a lot of spare Harken hardware and Spinnaker pole

It seem that if I was to buy a DS I, I would almost be into the same amount of work to make the DS I raceworthy. With fixing the CB trunk, wood coaming and adding a brace between the chain stays.

So to sum up, is a really good example of a DS II worth all this trouble? Would the end result be a competitive boat?

Thanks for your input.

Regards, Richard

[ifrichard]

Just realized these changes would violate:
5.13. The flotation tanks as delivered by the builder shall not be altered, except that access plates with water-tight covers may be installed. Foam materials subject to water absorption or disintegration may be removed, provided they are replaced with an equal amount of flotation. Additional flotation capacity may be installed. Flotation tanks may have flotation material added.

Too bad! Although, I have seen flotation tanks added/modified on DS I. So maybe this is a allowed modification.