Mast Rotation: Do You Pin It For Trailering?

[BOAT]

How many of you pin the mast rotation for trailering and even more important HOW do you pin it?? Before I go drilling holes in some vital hardware I think I would like a little advice from people who have systems that work. I do not want to experiment on this one. This has been a big issue since day one with me. The rotating of the mast during the walk back and trailering process is still making me upset so I need to deal with it.

Thanks

[Russ]

What is making you feel it should be pinned?

I have to admit, the idea might be worth doing, but I've never really found the mast to move that much on the trailer. I generally wrap a line around it several times and secure the mast to the crutch and then around the cockpit cleats to keep it from swaying on the road.

--Russ

[RobertB]

I always found it a pain how the mast wants to lie on its side when trailering but do not know of a way to deal with it other than to fabricate cradles to hold it in a specific orientation (as some have done on the rear support). On the other side, do not really see how it affects much, especially now that I remove the spreaders for transport. As far as pinning, there is no provisions in the stock equipment that would allow this. Would need additional hardware - either a bracket or cradle to "pin" it in place.

[BOAT]

Well, I am storing my Genoa on top of the mast and the added weight seems to make the mast want to spin one way or the other. The added weight is also making me consider a crutch where the step plate is. I guess I could just put the genoa back on the deck but it's eiser to walk back the mast with the genoa secured to the top of the mast. And if I go back to leaving the genoa on the deck it really pulls the mast hard to the side. It's just a pain. I'll get a picture of the current setup and post it here as soon as I get a chance and then you guys will have somthing to look at before you comment.

Maybe I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill, but then I have read here that some of you do indeed pin the mast. I'm really curious about that.

[Russ]

The added weight is also making me consider a crutch where the step plate is.

Good idea. I took a simple 2x4 and cut a V for the mast and the other flat side rests in the mast support. You could drill a hole to "pin" the 2x4 in the mast base. I just pinch it in there.
This DOES keep the mast from bouncing around on the road. I also take a dock line around the mast here to hold the mid-crutch in place and tie it to the "mini-stay" hooks in the lifelines. This keeps the mast from rotating and holds it down in the center. Simple, cheap, the way I like it.

--Russ

[Tomfoolery]

Rolls easy, keeps the mast straight.

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/modt/in ... ?view=1723

[BOAT]

Wow, that's super cool, I never thought of modifying the roller. If the roller was deep enough it would prevent rotation. I'm gonna go out there an look at that right now.

Even with a modified roller I think for long trips over bumpy roads it might be a good idea to crutch the mast at the step. I'm going to go dig for a 2 by 4 in the garage and see what I can find.

(What is "starbord"?? I though starbord was the right side of the boat?)

[Crikey]

Several of us were hoping, at the time you first posted this, that you might be marketing this. Would an model use different dimensions? Also, does it leave any scrub marks on the side of the mast after many uses?

Boat FYI: Starboard is Polyethylene sheet. The same as kitchen cutting board.

Ross

[Tomfoolery]

I'm still planning on making some more, though I don't want to make money on them. I'm waiting until I can take the cover off the boat, because I want to make another that's a little larger than the one in the pic, and it's holding the mast that's holding the tarp. The straps are too long, but a larger minor diameter should take care of that. I'm guessing the hold-down straps are longer than they're supposed to be.

I'll clean up the one in the pic and make some more like it. I think I've settled on a simpler OD profile (for ease of turning) that still clears the spreader socket bolts.

[THE CUSCUS]

This is my copied (from this site) center mast crutch/support. Quick and easy to make, and def keeps the mast from flexing and rolling.

[BOAT]

Okay, STAR BOARD! I got it now. Here is the picture of 'boat' with mast down. I have a stick holding up the furler at the bow for now (I'm making somthing for that this week) forgive the tennis balls, those are for the tarp that goes over boat when it's raining:

[Tomfoolery]

Wow, that's super cool, I never thought of modifying the roller. If the roller was deep enough it would prevent rotation.

That was half the reason for making a new roller - to keep the mast straight. The other half was to make it roll easier, and I can't believe how easy it is to roll with this second-generation prototype. I also don't feel like I'm going to bend the crutch from pushing so hard to roll it, especially when it gets almost to where the base is even with the step, as I have to push down to keep the mast from falling off the back of the boat. Lots of force on that roller and crutch at the end.

An mast wouldn't have the spreader sockets and bolts in the way of the roller, so the vee could be make the whole width of the roller, which would be as secure as you can get. Anyone have a profile for the mast?

[Crikey]

Hey Boat, it doesn't take a lot of balls to ask these kinds of questions!

Sorry, Kanz - If you think I'm going outside right now, to measure my ice covered mast - you craaazy!
I'll defer that to one of my warmer southern brothers.

R.

[Tomfoolery]

Would an model use different dimensions? Also, does it leave any scrub marks on the side of the mast after many uses?

I haven't noticed any scuffs, but the roller only contacts the mast at the last bit of wedge of the outside rollers, and that bottom and bottom-side of the inner pair. The three discs of each side can turn independently, since the smallest have to turn faster than the largest, and the middle on is just a filler and guide to get the mast to the bottom of the vee.

I don't know what shape the mast is, but it's possible it's different than the . I would have to know what that cross-section looks like to be sure a roller would fit properly, of course.

[BOAT]

Okay, I just gotta ask:



Looks like schedule 20 PVC? What size did you use? The step plate looks just like the one I had on my old Aquarius 23. It's not a rotating mast step from an 26M - that's for sure.
Who on the site suggested this? It's a very intriguing design.

Skipper asks: "Anyone have a profile for the M mast?" - I will try to get you one.

Yeah Crikey - belive it or not we cancelled tomorrows sailing because it's going to be too cold and cloudy (the temperature is expected to be 63 degrees) HA! (Actually I have a lot of work to do and the wind really sucks this weekend because we have a costal eddy forming off Catalina - wind at 1MPH if we are lucky - .) I was gonna motor on down to Del Mar and sail back but now the forcast says the wind will not come up at all so i ditched it. I'll work on the mast rotation stuff instead.

" I don't know what shape the mast is, but it's possible it's different than the X. I would have to know what that cross-section looks like to be sure a roller would fit properly, of course"
(I gotta get that shape for the skipper).