Mast Transporting

[Capt Andy]

Mast Transporting Catalina Morgan 440

I will be moving "Island Time" to Fl, next summer, via the Erie Canal/Hudson River. I have never had to drop my mast and need some info on building a temp carrier for the mast. Would appreciate any feedback you can provide as to how to construct a carrier. If you have any pics, that would be great too!
Thanks,

Andy M.

 

[Ross]

I would build three saw horses, one at the bow, one at mid ships, and one near the stern. The top beams should all be at the same level and should have blocks to prevent the mast from slipping sideways. The mast will no doubt over hang the bow and stern.

 

[CaptChuck]

I can help!

We made the trip from Buffalo, NY to Charleston, SC in 2005. I made the supports using the bow pulpit, pushpit, and 1 saw horse. If you need help I keep "Obsession" at RCR Yachts in Buffalo. They do a great job unstepping the mast & loading it onboard.
I will be happy to help you build the supports and with anything else you may need when you get to Buffalo. I also have logs from the trip. If you want to read them let me know.

Capt Chuck
S/V Obsession
Catalina 320

 

[Roger Long]

I just did that trip (Western Lake Erie to Solomons, MD) in this boat:

http://home.roadrunner.com/~rlma

here is some of what awaits you:

http://home.roadrunner.com/~rlma/ErieMorning.jpg

We went via the Welland and and Oswego canals which shortens the trip greatly for a boat that can go faster in the open lake than on the canal. The Welland is a real experience since you are in locks used by full size ocean going ships.

I highly recommend this trip in foliage season if you can do it. We had a folding radar and light mast that had to be put up which we did in Castleton, NY several miles down from Albany since everyone else was closed for the season. The gear was good but it was do-it-yourself since the old guy that owns or manages the yacht club no longer assists.

Be prepared for the fact that when you get to the Corps of Engineers lock in Troy that there will be no lines and you will have to run your own doubled lines over bollards. The barge canal locks have lines and many vertical cables you can run a short line around.

 

[higgs]

Despite a nice offer for help in Buffalo, I would wait to drop your mast until you get to Oswego where you enter the canal system. Traveling a large lake like Ontario with a mast on deck can be dangerous and you know, from where you sail, how quickly the Great Lakes can kick up. You don't want to get caught out in building seas with a mast the size of yours strapped on deck. I would use two saw horses for a 44 using the bow and stern pulpits, too. Consider blocking the mast up a bit to get it out of your way as much as possible. When I did this I used a lot of line to not only lash the mast down snuggly, but also to lash horses and braces solidly to the deck and puplpits. You need to anticipate power boat wakes you will encounter so the mast has got to be well secured.

Consider a stop at Olcott Yacht Club. We are located about 25 miles east of the Wellend and 90 some miles from Oswego to the east.

The photo is my Nassau 34 as she was entering the Trent Severn Canal in port Severn, Ontario. I have a substantial boom gallows and also used a saw horse to support the mast. One thing I learned, luckily with no mishap, is that when docking, it is easy to forget about your mast hanging off the stern. As you swing the stern dockside, you often look down and back to check your stern clearance. It is easy to forget that above your head is a mast hanging a few feet beyond your stern.

 

[CaptChuck]

Alternative to the Welland

I opted to enter the Erie Canal in Tonawanda, NY rather than the Welland to Lake Ontario and the Oswego Canal. The time to transit the Welland can range from 6 to 20 hours depending on the commercial traffic. The speed limit in the Eerie Canal is 10 mph, so I determined I could be further down the canal by entering in Tonawanda. The Erie Canal portion of the trip was a real highlight for us. I agree that traveling on Lake Ontario with the mast on deck is not good idea. Learning that the mast extending both for and aft is important. I kept my mast close to the deck rather than overhead. Stowed it on the Port side so it was out of the way for docking.

Capt Chuck
S/V Obsession
Catalina 320

 

[Capt Andy]

Thanks for all the feedback, so far. I think I am currently thinking "canal" all the way, vs going into Lake Ontario. We think we will enjoy that trip. What about a recommendation for a Yard to step the mast, on exit?
May take you up on your offer, Capt. Chuck. I am thinking we will have the mounts pretty much fabricated before we leave Muskegon, Mi., then will install them when the time comes.
Thanks again!

Andy

 

[CaptChuck]

Please keep me in mind when you get to Buffalo. We had our mast stepped in Riverview Marina, Catskill, NY. It is a short distance from the Troy Lock. Very capable crew and friendy staff. Originally thought about the do it yourself setup in Castleton but finally opted to have it done. If you decide to build the supports here the RCR yard is close to a Home Depot etc. I have tools. Happy to answer any questions you might have.
Capt Chuck
S/V Obsession
Catalina 320

 

[sailingdog]

Just remember, your boat will have a greater tendency to roll quickly with the mast down, since the mast is part of what provides a boat roll stability. Until you get used to the motion of the boat be careful when moving about.

 

[higgs]

When the time comes, Olcott is not that far from Buffalo, I would also be willing to lend a hand.

 

[Capt Andy]

When the time comes, Olcott is not that far from Buffalo, I would also be willing to lend a hand.

Thanks for all the volunteers! I may surprise you and take advantage of your generosity.
Feel free to write me direct with any other suggestions?
andym0097@aol.com

Andy Mattingly

.

 

[AXEL]

What ever you do make sure the mast is tied down to the boat like it's a piece of the boat. The first time I moved my boat from the marina to my slip where I step the mast via a tabernacle rig I did not take the time to REALLY tie the mast down. You would be surprised at how even the smallest wake will create an oscillation in which your mast will shift forward and aft, side to side if not thoroughly secured. I got waked by 3 ferries at the same time and thought I would lose the mast. Since then the mast is "bolted" down, I'm talking over kill each season when I make that trip.

 

[Rich (P303)]

Higgs... your boat looks like "Sanford and Son"! Very well done!