Cockpit mast cradle - Hunter 30

[Eric C Lindstrom]

Next month I'm going to have to construct a cockpit mast cradle for our Hunter 30 (to get through the Erie Canal). Does anyone have advice/ideas to consider before we build? Can it hold the mast high enough to keep the dodger in place?Also, is it inconceivable to unstep this mast on your own? Two guys and the right rigging? This comment is coming from someone who has stepped and unstepped the mast on a 240 240 times.Eric

 

[Stephen Ord]

I would not try it

I think that a mast cradle high enough to go over your dodger would be too high to be stable unless you bolted it to the vessel (not likely). On my Hunter 30 it would have to be 3 feet off the deck and about 7 feet off the cockpit and considering the platform is going to move I would not want that weight over my head unless bolted down. As to dropping the mast yourself again I would not. It is too heavy to manage unless you have remote electric Gin Pole and can guide the mast while raising and lowering it. I generally have at least 2 helpers.