Just bought a 1986 C22 and have had it in the water a couple of times already. Put it away for the winter on Saturday. :-(
I have an old, metal mast crutch that I am going to modify this winter and could use some suggestions as to it's height when fully extended. My existing steel crutch is about 1 1/2 inches in diameter with welded pintles and a welded crutch piece on the top. The current top piece is sharp, too narrow, and does not have a roller nor room for a roller. I am going to cut off the top piece and replace it with a custom extension piece that has a roller.
I am NOT using the crutch to transport the boat, just to help get the mast up and down. My wife provides good help so I'm not going solo, and I don't plan on using a gin pole. We put the mast up and down while the boat is on the trailer, never while on the water, and we don't have to hurry.
What I am going to do is build a sliding crutch extension with a roller at the top and handles on the bottom that can fit over the existing pole (once I remove the crutch at the top). It will be able to slide up and down as an extension and, when pinned in place in the raised position, I can use it to get the mast up farther before we pull it up from the front of the boat using a long line.
My question is......how tall would you make the overall crutch (when extended) to make it as easy as possible to get the mast up and down? The CD mast stepper claims to extend 9 1/2' high (I assume from the base pintle?). For you experienced people, does that seem high enough, too high, too short???? I welcome and thank you for all your suggestions before I start cutting and welding away!!!
I have an old, metal mast crutch that I am going to modify this winter and could use some suggestions as to it's height when fully extended. My existing steel crutch is about 1 1/2 inches in diameter with welded pintles and a welded crutch piece on the top. The current top piece is sharp, too narrow, and does not have a roller nor room for a roller. I am going to cut off the top piece and replace it with a custom extension piece that has a roller.
I am NOT using the crutch to transport the boat, just to help get the mast up and down. My wife provides good help so I'm not going solo, and I don't plan on using a gin pole. We put the mast up and down while the boat is on the trailer, never while on the water, and we don't have to hurry.
What I am going to do is build a sliding crutch extension with a roller at the top and handles on the bottom that can fit over the existing pole (once I remove the crutch at the top). It will be able to slide up and down as an extension and, when pinned in place in the raised position, I can use it to get the mast up farther before we pull it up from the front of the boat using a long line.
My question is......how tall would you make the overall crutch (when extended) to make it as easy as possible to get the mast up and down? The CD mast stepper claims to extend 9 1/2' high (I assume from the base pintle?). For you experienced people, does that seem high enough, too high, too short???? I welcome and thank you for all your suggestions before I start cutting and welding away!!!