I need a crutch to help me step the mast; it must go over the back rail and extend about 24' to assist in mounting the base with pins; I used 2x4s to help hold; but very ackward; can anyone help me design; and with what material to build. a photo would help Tom Colley
crutch to help step mast
- Thread starter Tom Colley
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how heavy is
your mast and what length is it. also would you clarify:'to assist in mounting the base with pins'.
your mast and what length is it. also would you clarify:'to assist in mounting the base with pins'.
Mast stepping
Tim, I'm guessing that you're installing a mast hinge or tabernacle? Is the boat on the hard or in the water? Generally you'd just need enough lift on the mast to keep it off the cabin top. Go to the MacGregor web site and look at their mast stepping procedure. Maybe you can get some ideas there. Larry Wilson Richmond,Va.
Tim, I'm guessing that you're installing a mast hinge or tabernacle? Is the boat on the hard or in the water? Generally you'd just need enough lift on the mast to keep it off the cabin top. Go to the MacGregor web site and look at their mast stepping procedure. Maybe you can get some ideas there. Larry Wilson Richmond,Va.
You can use 4" pvc
I made a mast crutch from 4 inch pvc for my old boat. The nice thing about it is that it is easy to work with and plenty strong, plus it never rots away. Where the mast sits you can cut half moons into the end for the mast to rest. You can drill for ropes or straps, bolt through the stuff, etc.
I made a mast crutch from 4 inch pvc for my old boat. The nice thing about it is that it is easy to work with and plenty strong, plus it never rots away. Where the mast sits you can cut half moons into the end for the mast to rest. You can drill for ropes or straps, bolt through the stuff, etc.
- Jan 22, 2008
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boom as crane
I recently heard of a setup which called for the boom to be attached vertically with a pin at the clew end to the taff rail, lashed to the stern rail and extending upwards several more feet with the boom vang acting as the lifting mechanism at the gooseneck (top) end for the mast. This lifted the mast to about a 30 degree angle so that the base could be engaged in the tabernacle. The jib halyard attached to the stemhead, and the tail run back to a winch provided the rest of the pulling power to get the mast upright, and the second pin engaged, and finally the forestay. All the shrouds and backstay are connected prior to the mast raising. Hope this spurs some further thoughts on how to raise that ugly stick to upright!
I recently heard of a setup which called for the boom to be attached vertically with a pin at the clew end to the taff rail, lashed to the stern rail and extending upwards several more feet with the boom vang acting as the lifting mechanism at the gooseneck (top) end for the mast. This lifted the mast to about a 30 degree angle so that the base could be engaged in the tabernacle. The jib halyard attached to the stemhead, and the tail run back to a winch provided the rest of the pulling power to get the mast upright, and the second pin engaged, and finally the forestay. All the shrouds and backstay are connected prior to the mast raising. Hope this spurs some further thoughts on how to raise that ugly stick to upright!
Mast Dolly
I had the same problem and most of the time I can't find any assistance. My mast needed to be 2 feet above the stern rails to clear the traveler. My solution was to I use a 6 foot piece of 1/2" galvinized pipe screwed into a flange bolted or welded to a piece of steel U channel large enough to secure a V shaped trailer roller and allow it to roll freely. I also used another flange on the bottom of the pipe that I secured to a piece of wood 2x4. I set the wood on the floor of the cockpit and lashed the pipe upright to the center of the stern rail. With the roller facing forward I set my mast in the roller groove. With this setup I can freely walk the mast to the step. Sorry I can't send you a picture I sold the boat and this equipment yesterday.
I had the same problem and most of the time I can't find any assistance. My mast needed to be 2 feet above the stern rails to clear the traveler. My solution was to I use a 6 foot piece of 1/2" galvinized pipe screwed into a flange bolted or welded to a piece of steel U channel large enough to secure a V shaped trailer roller and allow it to roll freely. I also used another flange on the bottom of the pipe that I secured to a piece of wood 2x4. I set the wood on the floor of the cockpit and lashed the pipe upright to the center of the stern rail. With the roller facing forward I set my mast in the roller groove. With this setup I can freely walk the mast to the step. Sorry I can't send you a picture I sold the boat and this equipment yesterday.
mast dolly
I think that will work very well...I never thought of the trailer roller. Thanks, Tom Colley
I think that will work very well...I never thought of the trailer roller. Thanks, Tom Colley
Tree/branch
I just went in the woods, found a right small tee with branch and cut down. I now have a crutch about 12 long with the perfect "Y" and it is lightweight.
I just went in the woods, found a right small tee with branch and cut down. I now have a crutch about 12 long with the perfect "Y" and it is lightweight.
Rocky Fork Lake?
Tom, Are you near Rocky Fork Lake outside of Hillsboro, OH? If so, on Sunday the 23, the club is having a mast raising/launching day. Lots of friendly experienced individuals and a big mast raising pole that will handle anything up to a 30'boat.
Tom, Are you near Rocky Fork Lake outside of Hillsboro, OH? If so, on Sunday the 23, the club is having a mast raising/launching day. Lots of friendly experienced individuals and a big mast raising pole that will handle anything up to a 30'boat.
Suggestion
What boat and size do you have? If it is any of the Macgregors or Ventures I strongly suggest you buy the MacGregor mast raising system. And it will work on many others to 26'.It is VERY EASY AND SAFE and cost about $150 including a new mast mounting. It works great on mine and all others I have seen. Novelman
What boat and size do you have? If it is any of the Macgregors or Ventures I strongly suggest you buy the MacGregor mast raising system. And it will work on many others to 26'.It is VERY EASY AND SAFE and cost about $150 including a new mast mounting. It works great on mine and all others I have seen. Novelman
H23 mast crutch
I just reposted this system a couple of days ago. See link below. It's really just a support because the mast is actually lifted by an A-frame and lifting tackle (also posted in the Photo Forum) but you'll need lifeline stanchions for that. Hopefully this crutch may give you some ideas to design your own. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
I just reposted this system a couple of days ago. See link below. It's really just a support because the mast is actually lifted by an A-frame and lifting tackle (also posted in the Photo Forum) but you'll need lifeline stanchions for that. Hopefully this crutch may give you some ideas to design your own. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
Look at some Catalina 22 sites
Look at some of the catalina 22 sites. There is a ton of information that can be found there. Here are a few sites: www.chipford.com http://p4.forumforfree.com/catalina22.html look at the catalina direct site too. They also have a forum to check out. Good sailing- Bill Bell 87 swing keel #13784 Catalina 22 FL
Look at some of the catalina 22 sites. There is a ton of information that can be found there. Here are a few sites: www.chipford.com http://p4.forumforfree.com/catalina22.html look at the catalina direct site too. They also have a forum to check out. Good sailing- Bill Bell 87 swing keel #13784 Catalina 22 FL
Mast Stepping
here are a couple of excellent web sites with single handed mast stepping detail instructions; http://c22fleet77.tripod.com/id81.htm http://tinyurl.com/e52ar both are scaleable to any size trailer sailboat. i use the v brace system on my catalina 22; http://tinyurl.com/s3hph i use the gin pole system on my rascal. i will have pictures of the rascal's system on yahoo; http://photos.yahoo.com/jasmith33 along with other modifications i got from various catalina web sites. i use s.s. pipes instead of a 2x4, for easy storage. for the v brace system to work, the mast must be above horizontal. hope this helps
here are a couple of excellent web sites with single handed mast stepping detail instructions; http://c22fleet77.tripod.com/id81.htm http://tinyurl.com/e52ar both are scaleable to any size trailer sailboat. i use the v brace system on my catalina 22; http://tinyurl.com/s3hph i use the gin pole system on my rascal. i will have pictures of the rascal's system on yahoo; http://photos.yahoo.com/jasmith33 along with other modifications i got from various catalina web sites. i use s.s. pipes instead of a 2x4, for easy storage. for the v brace system to work, the mast must be above horizontal. hope this helps
What crutch?
I just bought a V-21 and it just has a piece of rubber and two bungees on the aft rail, no crutch. I haven't tried to step the mast yet but plan to this weekend.
I just bought a V-21 and it just has a piece of rubber and two bungees on the aft rail, no crutch. I haven't tried to step the mast yet but plan to this weekend.
easy mast crutch
Here is a simply to build crutch that works quite well. It sets in the gudgeons and has two levels of height settings. Built of 2x2, some plywood and gate latch hardware. http://www.stewartfam.net/arlyn/simplemastcrutch.jpg
Here is a simply to build crutch that works quite well. It sets in the gudgeons and has two levels of height settings. Built of 2x2, some plywood and gate latch hardware. http://www.stewartfam.net/arlyn/simplemastcrutch.jpg
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