Mast Cradles for transport

[Art]

I have a 1984 C-22 and will be trailering it quite a bit. I was wondering if any one out there has any slick ideas for mast cradles. I have seen other C-22's with the mast laying on the bow and stern pulpits with some padding over the companion way but there has to be a better way. I was thinking of some wooden cradles that would temporaraly attach to the pulpits and secure the mast for transport.  Also I was wondering about securing the shrouds and stays for transport. My mast is in realy good shape (no scuffing and scrapes) I would like to keep it that way! I have seen other boats that simply tie all lines, shrouds and stays to the mast but this leaves marks on the mast due to the bouncing and vibration of transport. I would rather not take them off. Does anyone know of a better way?ThanksArt <)))><

 

[David Bergevin]

cradle supports

Art, I took a 2x4 pressure treated an laid it across the bow pulpit forwrd of the vertical stantion. Traced the outline underneath with a pencil. Took a circular saw and set the depth 1" and sawed out a kerf (repeated passes) chipped out the remnants and set it in place on the pulpit.Took two short pieces 6"-8" and screwed them in from the bottom the width of the mast plus a little.The mast lays in this and supported in the back by another 2x4 vertical turned width-wise with 2x2'screwed on the sides as a goal post would look. There is a 4" wide roller mounted in this area. Eye bolts screwed into the side tied to the traveler and stern rail hold it up. Don't forget a base of some type on thi 2x4 vertical.The height of this piece is set up with the mast in the mast step and lowered to the point that it just clears the cabin top.This arrangement allows me to take the mast from storage to prepartory raising single handedor vice versa. The mast step itself has a 4x4 vertical in place a the height that the mast sits in the other two holders. This supports the mast going down the road. Again two side pieces dress this up. The 4x4 has a hole in the bottom that is drilled to accept the through bolt for the mast base(no wondering where it went).The shrouds are all coiled carefully and hung on the two rabbit ears sticking up on the mast step holding block of wood.Two bungee cords hook over the spreader ends to the wood cabin top rail handles keeps the rolling effect to a minimum.Tie it all down and trailer the rig down the road knowing that the mast is well secured and supported.David B.

 

[Aldo]

I cover my mast with naugahyde

Art: I also worry about scraping-up my mast. I used to put pieces of foam on each side of the mast, and wrap string around the shrouds. This takes a lot of time. What I do now is put a piece of naugahyde over the top, that wraps around it. It is the length of the mast and about 10 inches wide, if I remember correctly. It's kind of fuzzy on the inside. I then bungie the shrouds to the mast, and then wrap a piece of 3/16 inch bungie around the shrouds, which holds them tightly against the naugahyde on the mast. I know that most people probably think that this is crazy, but I've had our boat a long time, and I'm sure that I would give it to one of my sons before I would sell it, and I want the mast to stay nice.I trailer our boat 100 miles each spring and fall. Aldo

 

[Scott]

Buy from Catalina Direct

I know Catalina Direct has a nice set up. The "tray" nests across the bow pulpit and the mast fits into the tray. A strap from the foreplate through the tray and around the mast is included. It's a nice clean and easy setup.During Transport I have wound the staus into a loop, velcro then into a circle and then velcro them to the spreaders. Works great. No bends in the standing rigging. Use strong enought velcro maintain its placement during 60 mph winds on the highway.