Crazy idea for stub mast riser

[csm]

The single most aggravating thing during rigging is trying to step the mast. I almost always have the boom and main attached, and there is no clearance between the hatch and boom; I've already broke one gooseneck trying to step the mast.
Hasanyone tried or considered cutting a foot or so off the base of the mast and "permanently " installing it to the step. An adapter would have to be fabricated to attached as the "new" mast base. Properly designed, this wouldn't alter the original height and would give clearance between the boom and hatch. An added benefit is a foot less mast sticking out the back, which is an issue for me as there is a big ole oak tree branch that comes to rest inches away from my mast when I back it in next to the garage. As always all thoughts welcome.

Thanks

[Boblee]

Could be an idea if you want to shorten your mast anyway but we also have the mast fully riggedwith sails and boom etc permanently but got over the problem by raisning the rear mast support .
It is higher than standard anyway but also can be raised higher by sliding it up through the holding tube, this was accidental as I made it this way due to spending a lot of time living on the boat travelling to and from launching spots and wanted more headroom.
Still not perfect and still have to get it right but can't imagine trying it std, would imagine we are about 14" higher at the bracket when at it's highest position if thats a help, try lifting it there temporarily and see what you think.

[Tempus]

Gotta say I shuddered as I read your post. I can imagine the difficulty when you still have the boom fitted. Personally I think the easy answer is to remove the boom! The issue with mast length when down could be addressed by not bolting the mast foot to the bow rail and simply have it overhanging the bow rather than the stern.

I really wouldn't be thinking about cutting the mast due to a whole bunch of reasons including the forces the stub would be subjected to during raising/lowering.

[bartmac]

We have the same riser for our mast...ie ours is the tower which serves a number of functions ie solar panels,aerial mount,anchor and deck light,rear bimini mount and on top our mast rest...makes for headroom in the cockpit when not sailing and makes our Mac our caravan with a mast...As for a permanent deck mounted raised mast foot....you'd have to engineer that well...there's a few forces at work.Family had boat which had a raised mast stub but it went down thru the deck and was anchored very securely to the keel....so without the structure below???? not sure
We also have a raised forward mast rest so we can open our forward hatch all the way

[mastreb]

I think it's much easier to put a quick pin on the boom instead of a bolt, and take the boom and mainsail off.

But if you did want to make a permanent tabernacle, the simplest way would be to bolt an appropriately sized square aluminum extrusion tube to the mast base bracket, which would have welded-on "ears" to recreate the mast base higher up. Then you could remove the mast foot, cut off the same length of mast at the base, and re-attach the foot to the new shortened mast. You may need to create some baby stays for the square tabernacle that went from its top to the stanchions to keep it firmly in place while you're raising or lowering the mast. Once it's under compression they wouldn't be necessary for stability.

This method would only take a simple length of commercially available extrusion and a little bit of work.

Matt

[Steve K]

I had a telescoping mast support pole on my Catalina 22. It worked with a set of pulleys and line. Don't have any photos as the boat was sold over 12 years ago.

Anyway, the support pole was normal height when trailing. When stepping the mast you pull the control line and extend the support pole about double it's normal length. This made it very easy to finish raising the mast as it was about 30-35 degrees after extending the support pole. I think something like this would work well for your need.

I have seen older trailer sailboats that had a mast that hinged a foot or two above the deck. I don't think it would hurt anything.

You could also, likely, get a piece of mast section like yours at a boat salvage yard. Instead of cutting yours, just ad a couple feet to the bottom and have a Mac Gregor tall rig. Then all you'll need are new, taller sails. (this is not a joke..... it's been done before)

Best Breezes,
Steve K.

[RobertB]

I originally tried keeping the boom attached and damaged the hatch. I quickly changed out the gooseneck bolt for a pin and attached the tack of the mainsail to the front of the boom (call BWY - they have the parts and instructions). I then added a few fittings to my ceiling and hang the boom out of the way above the port seats when the mast is down.
Plus, the mast is way easier to handle without the boom attached.
Other mods to make stepping easier and faster:
I made new baby stays out of dyneema so I could install a snap shackle at the base of each. I disconnect these when stepping the mast since it cleans up the area.
Snap shackles for the mast raiser to mast connection and for the mainsheet to tabernacle.
Big head clevis pin for the jib base (again - BWY).

[Azzarac]

Have you considered modifying the gooseneck to allow it to swing up against the mast in storage? KnotShore, a modified his this way. I've been considering doing something similar but it is way down on the mod list for me.



Iborrowed the image from KnotShore's site: http://www.enctrader.com/hardtlefamily/ ... efault.htm

[Highlander]

Here's my modified mast crutch I now have an extension that just slides right into the tubes

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... ch#p273336

J

[csm]

I've already modified the rear carrier to resemble the , but even higher; still have the boom/ hatch clearance issue. Yes, removing the boom solves everything, but I' m trying to avoid that. Azzarac, the gooseneck mod sounds easy and interesting, but I don't see enough detail in the posted picture to see how it works. Bartmac, sounds like you may have done something similar to another thing I'm considering, do you have pics of your mods?

[Boblee]

Bugger just came back to this and can't find the photo's I put here (thought?) so here goes again.
First photo only one I can find of the crutch, this is in the travel position and in the raised position it is slid up and pinned, also helps to have bimini up and boom tent a bit higher for more air when on land.

Second photo of it in travel position notice pvc support at mast step point to support extra weight when travelling it is also adjustable.
I would imagine if you didn't want to build an arch mastrebs or highlanders might be easier but better than altering mast strength and geometry etc.

Try temporarily raising the rear crutch and see how it goes but works here so no reason why yours won't.
I still have to get mine in the right position but definitely doable good if going under bridges etc too in raised position.

[csm]

Boblee, my rear arch holds the mast right at 80" from the deck at the engine well to the bottom of the mast. In hindsight, I wish I' d have gone higher, and just may try that, it would be alot easier mod than a stub mast/ tabernacle. Yours looks to be a good foot taller than mine; do you happen to have a measurement of your setup, from deck to mast?

[Tomfoolery]

The MRS puts a LOT of forward force on the mast that's not balanced by anything but shear at the deck, so a stub would have to resist that force as well as any side reactions from the baby stays.

[mastreb]

The MRS puts a LOT of forward force on the mast that's not balanced by anything but shear at the deck, so a stub would have to resist that force as well as any side reactions from the baby stays.

Correct. It would have to have stays running to the cabin forward stanchion bases.

[csm]

OK I'll bite, what is MRS? Hopefully your not refering to the Admiral.