Lowering mast for bridges

[8826d]

Greetings! I am new to this forum and sailing - just to get that out of the way...

I have seen alot of mast raising systems and theres alot of great discussion/info on systems that people have made here and on the internet. I can't seem to find however any system anyone has to drop the mast (just lower a bit really) to clear a bridge. I am guessing you use the same raising system you may have (block and tackle attached to gin pole and to jib haliard etc.. - that style only cause thats where I am leaning. No pun intended) - in reverse?

But to me this would mean the boom can't be attached and hence the mainsail not on cause the mast is going to lean aft, and that I would then have to deal with attaching them on the water which seems totally incorrect. Jib attachment on the water seems easier and tolerable - but I still think theres a huge part I'm missing on this subject. Or maybe the mast leans forward and I merely use the mainsail block and tackle and attach the backstay to the end of the boom?

Thanks in advance and please remember the forum rules I just read about being kind to new sailors......

 

[timebandit]

depending on how low the bridge is you may have to lower the mast all the way.

sSometimes you only need to lower it to a forty five degree angle so you may not need to use the gin pole and you can just lower thee main and allow the boom to rise up as the mast comes down.

You will have to remove the jib.

Check out this video--http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFP3QA9-5GI

 

[timebandit]

Oh, and get a Johnson lever for the forestay, much faster.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

I would not want any sails up when I dropped the mast.

what happens if a gust of wind comes up?

might want to flake sail to boom, w/ bungys...

 

[8826d]

Thanks!

You know I guess I was making it a bit harder than it really is. It looks like in the video that the mainsail was attached when they went under the bridge so I guess thats really not an issue. Just have to rig me a block and jin pole set up.

I am thinking I need to replace the mast mounting plate that is attached to the mast as there are no forward holes in mine to attach a jin pole. That seems like the easiest most secure way to do it although I've seen a bunch of other ways - none that looked as good.

Best place to locate a replacement mounting plate?

Also it looked like they had the other end of the block hooked to the forward cleat? Does it matter as long as its secure up front somewhere?

 

[8826d]

Absolutely on the sail being down and secured with bungies or something. I am thinking that would keep your sail contained and keep it from spilling all over the cockpit as well. Good point.

 

[karlos263]

I made up a gin pole for mast lowering out of a top rail from a steel fence. I cut the rail about 5' and then cut the remaining piece at 3'. It has the tapered end which I reversed so it fits in the 5' piece and drilled through both pieces so i can hand tighten a bolt through them. drilled the top to add 2 eye bolts, 1 facing forward for the block and tackle and 1 facing rear for the jib halyard. Bent a couple of steel straps so they would fit around the mast and use the mast tie down holes already there with a long bolt to mount the gin pole. Tried it and it works.

 

[RonRock]

I would be concerned about the strength of fence rail. There is quite a bit of pressure on the Gin Pole when in use. I used a aluminum bull float handle for mine. I'd guess that it is much stronger than a fence rail, but I'm still considering getting something with thicker walls.

 

[Tommy T]

If you only need a foot or two try heeling the boat.

 

[8826d]

I was thinking about a pool brush pole - you know the aluminum telescoping kind. I thought if collapsed it making it doubly thick and drilled and riveted them together every few feet on opposite sides as to be one, then attached pad eyes to one end and a mechanism to attach to mast locking bolt on the other I'd be in business. I happen to have an un-used pole on the side of the house.

Or I could stop trying to be cheap and get a nice solid aluminum pole......