Tabernacle mast on my Islander Bahama 30

[linz1]

I just bought an '82 Islander Bahama 30' and need to tabernacle the mast in order to berth it in my home port. The boat has a rigid roller furler and I don't want to lose the convenience of the furler system. I'm trying to figure out what is the best way to approach the new rigging, e.g., should I maintain the rigid furler which means it will be retrofitted (shortened by 24") so it can be moved aft when lowering the mast; should I change the furler to a flexible type; should I not have a furler and set up a jib hanking system and hope that I don't have to crawl over the foredeck to change the sail in a blow (I'm almost 60 and not as nimble as in the old days)? Any thoughts or experiences to share?

 

[Tim R.]

Why shorten the furler? The unit can be moved aft as the mast is lowered. Once the mast is horizontal the furler will also be horizontal.

I assume this is already a deck stepped mast and has been designed to pivot back for this purpose. The Islander 30s I have seen do not have this function. You should be talking to a very good rigger instead of asking here. I am sure it can be done but only an experienced rigger should be attempting this and ensuring that the new system can handle the loads.

 

[Joe]

I think Tim is assuming you'll be moving the mast backward, like most trailerable sailboats do when raising or lowering. I am thinking that you plan to dip the mast forward, using the mainsheet for control, just low enough to clear the bridge..... correct? I have seen this done on a few sailboats... most notably in Huntington Harbor up in Orange county.

What I would do first is consult other sailboat owners in your marina that face the same problem and see what they've done to solve it. Tilting it forward instead of backward makes more sense because you can attach the topping lift to the boom's end and it becomes a gin pole, with mainsheet providing purchased control. The issue with the furler is valid.. My gut feeling is to replace it with a flexible type unit. You can probably sell the old unit if it's in decent shape. With a flexible foil you should be able to just roll up the sail and use the sheet to bend it back to allow the mast to dip under the bridge.

You'll need a quick release connector on the backstay. Check your shrouds to see what movement they will allow and modify the connectors accordingly.

Again, look at the other boats in the marina for solutions.

 

[David in Sandusky]

More specifics?

We probably need some more specifics of your set-up and what you are trying to do to help much more.

I would add that if you have, or are putting a tabernacle at the bottom of the mast, you could easily detach your roller furler with one crew to manage it whether you are tilting the mast forward, or aft.

Some of my questions are:

Does your boat already have a tabernacle? (That is, a fitting strong enough to fix the bottom of the mast when underway, with a hinge that allows you to lower the mast while leaving it attached to the boat.)

Why do you want to lower the mast? To haul it on a trailer, to get under a bridge, or something else?

Most furlers have a foil that makes them more stiff than flexible. What kind of furler do you call flexible? Who makes it?

 

[Steve C.]

My H30 has a tabernacle mast, mine goes forward. I have a hank on jib, even with a CDI flexible furler you should not lower it with it connected. I use a 5 to 1 purchase connected to the rear of the boom to the cockpit sole, the mainsheet purchase is not heavy or long enough. There is a tripod system that connects the rear of the boom to the center shrouds to the toe rail. The backstay and rear shrouds have large pelican clips to disconnect them. One boat in my marina had a tabernacle installed I think it was around 8k not cheap at all.

 

[linz1]

I am working with a very reputable rigger. I would never attempt to do this on my own without a experienced rigger leading the way. The problem is that he wants to remove the furling system and have me use the hanking system. My furler is the rigid type, Pro-furl I believe, and he is not in favor of changing it for the flexible type, CDI makes one, because of an accident that occured with one used in this harbor. I need to go under a bridge and the mast will move forward not aft. My reason for asking in this venue is to get other opinions and hear about experiences that relate to the flexible system vs. the rigid system.

 

[linz1]

Re: More specifics?

No the boat is not currently tabernacled. CDI makes a "flexible" furler and many are used in the harbor here. The rigger I am using does not trust them and believes the problems with a previous law suit where a person was injured were caused by the flexible furling system. Note: most boats in the upper harbor that have roller furlings use the flexible furling system.

 

[linz1]

Thanks for your thoughtful response. Most of the boats in my harbor use the flexible system but the rigger I'm working with does not think they are reliable because of a previous accident that occured with a tabernacled mast that used the flexible furling system. Apparently the furler jammed, the skipper decided to lower the mast with the jib unfurled and too much stress was put on one of the shrouds that compromised the system and the mast came down and injured someone. It was a mess and nothing to sneeze at. I really do understand his concern. But like I said, most boats in my harbor use the flexible system. I'm trying to gather other opinions before I make my decision, hence my question in this venue. Thanks again for your response.

 

[linz1]

I wouldn't try this on my own. I am working with a reputable rigger. The mast will go forward not aft, that's the reason for the shortening of the furler.

 

[Tim R.]

What about changing your homeport?