I need to build a STURDY stand to place the mast on the deck for transport on open water (3'-5' waves not uncommon) to winter storage location from the nearest harbor. Can anyone help? In past years I have taken it down in the same harbor where my boat is stored. THIS year, I had to take the mast down before motoring to the new storage location (bridges). My old stand was made simply to support the mast during storage, not to withstand travelling in open water. We nearly lost it overboard this year. NO THERE IS NO WAY TO AVOID TRAVELLING WITH MY MAST DOWN IN OPEN WATER - I MUST BUILD A SOLID STAND (so we avoid all the off topic questions). Thanks, Marty
- Status
Well, this may help...
but I built these mast horses for storage not open-sea travel. I would think that with proper tie-downs these would be adequate for "reasonable" sea travel. I'm not sure 5' seas meet the defination of "reasonable". See my attached picture. It shows my Morgan 30 in storage with the mast on deck. I built the 3 horses out of 2x4's and bolted them together. Cut pieces of rug were put at all the rub points. These were easy to assemble and disassemble for storage. I simply tied a string at the level that I wanted the mast to be and measured the distances and angles to the deck. A couple of hours work with a table saw and I had the horses ready to use. There are no plans; every project would be custom.
but I built these mast horses for storage not open-sea travel. I would think that with proper tie-downs these would be adequate for "reasonable" sea travel. I'm not sure 5' seas meet the defination of "reasonable". See my attached picture. It shows my Morgan 30 in storage with the mast on deck. I built the 3 horses out of 2x4's and bolted them together. Cut pieces of rug were put at all the rub points. These were easy to assemble and disassemble for storage. I simply tied a string at the level that I wanted the mast to be and measured the distances and angles to the deck. A couple of hours work with a table saw and I had the horses ready to use. There are no plans; every project would be custom.
You will also have to brace the
supports against for and aft motion. I almost lost my mast when coming north up the Hudson river to Lake Champlain. I added for and aft supports bolted to the horses and bolted them to the toe rail. Then I lashed the mast in several places against sideways movement, again using the toe rails, and then also lashed for and aft movement and still, it almost let loose on me. But, as Rich said, it's a custom job and has to be done "in place". There is no way to pre-fabricate for this and have it be safe and effective. I ended up doing a lot more lashing underway than I ever thought would be necessary. It's pretty scary when you boat is bouncing around in 4 to 6 foot waves and they're not always head on. Next time, I'd also use 2" x 6" lumber instead of 2" x 4" Good luck!!!! George
supports against for and aft motion. I almost lost my mast when coming north up the Hudson river to Lake Champlain. I added for and aft supports bolted to the horses and bolted them to the toe rail. Then I lashed the mast in several places against sideways movement, again using the toe rails, and then also lashed for and aft movement and still, it almost let loose on me. But, as Rich said, it's a custom job and has to be done "in place". There is no way to pre-fabricate for this and have it be safe and effective. I ended up doing a lot more lashing underway than I ever thought would be necessary. It's pretty scary when you boat is bouncing around in 4 to 6 foot waves and they're not always head on. Next time, I'd also use 2" x 6" lumber instead of 2" x 4" Good luck!!!! George
Ready for anything
On our Lake Ontario cruise this fall, we docked at a marina where the pictured boat was also docked. He was prepaired to take the trip through the NY canal system and the ICW. I do not know any details, but find it an interesting image.
On our Lake Ontario cruise this fall, we docked at a marina where the pictured boat was also docked. He was prepaired to take the trip through the NY canal system and the ICW. I do not know any details, but find it an interesting image.
- Status