Some years ago I saw a sailboat with a counterweighted mast. Coming to a bridge, the guy just tilted the mast back and went under. On the other side he let go and the mast slowly came back up into position(looked kind of like the movement of a railroad crossing gate). A fellow at the marina said he thought it was a Dutch boat. Has anyone else ever seen one like this? If so, do you know the manufacturer? Thanks. Jerry
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Home made
Last spring I saw a guy just before he launched his new, home built 35 -40 footer. He had wooden masts stepped on deck in tabernacles. They were hinged for the same purpose as you described. They pivoted about 2 feet above the deck. The tabernacles then formed a cradle of sorts to secure the masts while they were lowered. Don't know if they were counter-weighted though. Clever idea. He launched in western Lake Erie on his way to the New Jersey shore. He was going to need to take the masts down for transit of the canals.
Last spring I saw a guy just before he launched his new, home built 35 -40 footer. He had wooden masts stepped on deck in tabernacles. They were hinged for the same purpose as you described. They pivoted about 2 feet above the deck. The tabernacles then formed a cradle of sorts to secure the masts while they were lowered. Don't know if they were counter-weighted though. Clever idea. He launched in western Lake Erie on his way to the New Jersey shore. He was going to need to take the masts down for transit of the canals.
How big?
It seems to me such an arrangement would only be practical in a small boat. Perhaps 16'-20'.
It seems to me such an arrangement would only be practical in a small boat. Perhaps 16'-20'.
It is all a matter of levers. I have a 32 foot mast
If I pivot that 8 feet above the deck Then I only have to counter weight half of the total weight or about 50 pounds. Of course my boom would get in the way. I think a means of rigging a tackle to the masthead would be easier.
If I pivot that 8 feet above the deck Then I only have to counter weight half of the total weight or about 50 pounds. Of course my boom would get in the way. I think a means of rigging a tackle to the masthead would be easier.
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