Tried to send message but it probably did not go so will repeat.
Brian Hofler, phil, and others were interested in mast tabernacles.
Albin had an optional system for raising mast which was on our boat
(no. 1492). It involved a small hook on back of the mast, at bottom,
and a horizontal pin across the back of the tabernacle. The mast was
lowered to the stern. Albin provided a stainless A-frame which
attached at gunwhales about level with mast. The mainsheet ran from
bow fitting to end of forestay. One person lowered or raised with
mainsheet, the other grunted with mast on shoulder. The vega
newsletter (american) printed a description which I wrote, of the
steps in doing this. Perhaps it might be worth reprinting?
On trailers, I had one built with two axles. Still have the sketches
and could send photocopies or faxes to anyone who intended to build
one. The main trick is to position the axles so that there is a
little excess weight on the tongue of trailer. I guessed and it
worked okay. We pulled twice from Ontario to British Columbia, about
4,000 or 5,000 km, and once the other way. Had an old Ford van
formerly used by mounted police, 5.8 (?) L. It was a slow pull and
we detoured to take the flattest route over the Rockies. Load
levellers on the vehicle help a lot. And especially, an antisway
device is important. Sometimes the trailer can start swaying back
and forth because of the depressed grooves in pavement, most
terrifying.
John Sprague, Salt Spring Island B.C., Flagfish no. 1492.
Brian Hofler, phil, and others were interested in mast tabernacles.
Albin had an optional system for raising mast which was on our boat
(no. 1492). It involved a small hook on back of the mast, at bottom,
and a horizontal pin across the back of the tabernacle. The mast was
lowered to the stern. Albin provided a stainless A-frame which
attached at gunwhales about level with mast. The mainsheet ran from
bow fitting to end of forestay. One person lowered or raised with
mainsheet, the other grunted with mast on shoulder. The vega
newsletter (american) printed a description which I wrote, of the
steps in doing this. Perhaps it might be worth reprinting?
On trailers, I had one built with two axles. Still have the sketches
and could send photocopies or faxes to anyone who intended to build
one. The main trick is to position the axles so that there is a
little excess weight on the tongue of trailer. I guessed and it
worked okay. We pulled twice from Ontario to British Columbia, about
4,000 or 5,000 km, and once the other way. Had an old Ford van
formerly used by mounted police, 5.8 (?) L. It was a slow pull and
we detoured to take the flattest route over the Rockies. Load
levellers on the vehicle help a lot. And especially, an antisway
device is important. Sometimes the trailer can start swaying back
and forth because of the depressed grooves in pavement, most
terrifying.
John Sprague, Salt Spring Island B.C., Flagfish no. 1492.