For anyone interested I just posted a photo forum article showing how I transported my mast on deck up the ICW. I recently purchased a Hunter 33 in Southport, NC and motored up the ICW. I have gotten to Norfolk and will finish up this weekend going to the Rappahannock. Super trip. Glad I have a shoal draft keel. When I went looking I couldn't find any info with pics. I did get very helpful advice from other sailors. Hope someone finds this useful. Mike
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Very timely, . . .
thanks Mike. I have been thinking about a trip out the Erie Canal next Spring. And wondering how I would support the mast. I like how you got it under the bimini and off center. Several stories about the Erie Canal have the crew making the supports from scraps left behind by previous transiters. But I thought I would like to carry my own. Maybe even have the mast unstepped this Fall and put on the boat as a test. But anything I build will have to be left at the other end so I would not want to spend a lot of time or money. One difference for my keel-stepped H37C is a 52-foot mast on a 37-foot boat. And I would be sailing across Lake Erie with whatever I built.
thanks Mike. I have been thinking about a trip out the Erie Canal next Spring. And wondering how I would support the mast. I like how you got it under the bimini and off center. Several stories about the Erie Canal have the crew making the supports from scraps left behind by previous transiters. But I thought I would like to carry my own. Maybe even have the mast unstepped this Fall and put on the boat as a test. But anything I build will have to be left at the other end so I would not want to spend a lot of time or money. One difference for my keel-stepped H37C is a 52-foot mast on a 37-foot boat. And I would be sailing across Lake Erie with whatever I built.
Erie
Ed, I lived in Cleveland for a while and am familiar with the lake. Used to watch waves top the breakwater in winter before the freeze. Then again there is Put-In-Bay and the islands during the summer.... Regarding your long mast, you will have to plan carefully for calm seas. I am waiting out 4 footers on the Chesapeake mostly for peace of mind. The boat would be no problem with the mast up but I had one occasion where I took a 4' wake on the beam and the mast shifted enough to be scary. A few extra thoughts: Make sure your engine is ready for the trip. Eight feet overhangs are ok if you tie it down tight (there won't be any whipping). A long mast means big turns and big slips. Hang flags on the ends. Carry extra fuel. (Don't ask) Do offset the mast at the aft end. Keep the mast low on the boat if possible. My 2 cents. Mike
Ed, I lived in Cleveland for a while and am familiar with the lake. Used to watch waves top the breakwater in winter before the freeze. Then again there is Put-In-Bay and the islands during the summer.... Regarding your long mast, you will have to plan carefully for calm seas. I am waiting out 4 footers on the Chesapeake mostly for peace of mind. The boat would be no problem with the mast up but I had one occasion where I took a 4' wake on the beam and the mast shifted enough to be scary. A few extra thoughts: Make sure your engine is ready for the trip. Eight feet overhangs are ok if you tie it down tight (there won't be any whipping). A long mast means big turns and big slips. Hang flags on the ends. Carry extra fuel. (Don't ask) Do offset the mast at the aft end. Keep the mast low on the boat if possible. My 2 cents. Mike
Thanks for the tips Mike.
Fuel is one problem I do not have. The H37C has a large tank, nearly 50 gals. We will only have the mast down while in the canal. Unstep at entry and restep at exit. Won't believe it until we are finally there.
Fuel is one problem I do not have. The H37C has a large tank, nearly 50 gals. We will only have the mast down while in the canal. Unstep at entry and restep at exit. Won't believe it until we are finally there.
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