[Rhodes22-list] Lowering the Mast to the Stern

Mon Nov 8 16:12:45 EST 2004

Thanks.  Roger's reply about his minivan is encouraging, also the use of the
tongue extender on the trailer...I have that feature and I think that could
be the key for us succeeding next year.

By the way thanks for the effort with the mast lowering steps. I figure that
your idea is to try to get this stuff down in a way that will be truly
useful for newbie types- thus my input from our weekend.

Phyllis
Whisper

> From: Steve Alm <salm at mn.rr.com>
> Reply-To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> Date: Mon, 08 Nov 2004 11:44:00 -0600
> To: Rhodes <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Lowering the Mast to the Stern
> 
> Phyllis,
> 
> In the past I used my 1989 Plymouth Voyager mini van to launch and retrieve.
> I had no problems towing around town but it had front wheel drive which is
> not recommended for towing long distance.
> 
> Slim
> 
> On 11/7/04 7:38 PM, "Roger Pihlaja" <cen09402 at centurytel.net> wrote:
> 
>> Phyllis,
>> 
>> We trailer our Rhodes 22 with a 1995 AWD Chevy Astro minivan.  It has
>> the middle of the three factory towing packages available in that model
>> year & is rated to tow 4500 lbs.  AWD makes a tremendous difference
>> in launching and retrieving as does the use of the trailer tongue
>> extension on a slimy launch ramp.  Prior to the AWD Astro, we trailered
>> our Rhodes 22 with a RWD Ford Aerostar minivan and a 4WD AMC
>> Eagle station wagon.  All had 6 cylinder engines.  The RWD Aerostar
>> was the only tow vehicle to ever have a problem with retrieval & that
>> was on a very steep launch ramp.
>> 
>> It takes me about an hour from the time the boat is on the trailer out of
>> the water until we are road ready.  We lower the mast to the stern.  Our
>> stays are secured with the pins & split rings.
>> 
>> We store our Rhodes 22 on its trailer at the Midland County Fairgrounds.
>> Midland County rents out the animal and vender display buildings as off
>> season winter storage for boats and RV's.  Six months of secure indoor
>> winter storage cost me $192 this year.
>> 
>> Roger Pihlaja
>> S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
>> 
>> 
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "P&M Beals" <beals at rci.rutgers.edu>
>> To: <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>> Sent: Sunday, November 07, 2004 5:33 PM
>> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Lowering the Mast to the Stern
>> 
>> 
>>> Hi all.
>>> 
>>> Back from our day (Sat.) of taking the boat out and lowering the mast.
>>> 
>>> Our friend brought his jeep to trailer us out...Does anyone actually use a
>>> mini-van to trailer their Rhodes in and out of the water?  Maybe next
>> season
>>> we will attempt it...actually trailering it in wasn't a problem with the 6
>>> cyl minivan...but getting it out? Seems like a job for a standard
>>> transmission or 4 wheel drive vehicle...but if anyone on the list does it
>>> successfully would love to know about it.
>>> 
>>> Lowering the mast was pretty uneventful, but I have one suggestion for the
>>> steps that Steve came up with in September, you know for us newbie
>>> types...and that is after # 3 or 4 to add that you need to lock the boom
>>> into the highest position.  We forgot to do that, and when the mast
>> couldn't
>>> rest easily on the cabin deck we had to raise again, raise the boom to top
>>> slots and take it from there.  Also for new owners it doesn't  hurt to add
>> a
>>> step of removing the mast plate bolt...
>>> 
>>> Is it really necessary to loosen the turnbuckles since those shrouds
>> become
>>> slack when lowering the boom anyway?  That  process of loosening
>> turnbuckles
>>> etc. with our codder pins adds a good 30 minutes to the whole job...
>>> 
>>> Who is it that can lower the mast in 35 minutes?  If you read this I would
>>> love to know if you use the codder pins and rings on the turnbuckles or if
>>> you have a more efficient system, please share it!
>>> 
>>> We have to work on our winterizing work tomorrow.
>>> 
>>> The going rate for winter storage outside at marinas in Staten Island is
>>> $1200 for a 22' boat without trailer, but with the trailer it is only
>> $850!!
>>> 
>>> You gotta love the  cost of living and luxury in the
>> northeast...fortunately
>>> we found a pretty secure state park where we can store our boat for $115
>> for
>>> the winter-  which I prefer to our back yard.
>>> 
>>> THANKS AGAIN RHODIES!
>>> 
>>> Phyllis
>>> Whisper
>>> NJ
>>> 
>>>> From: Steve Alm <salm at mn.rr.com>
>>>> Reply-To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>>>> Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2004 15:33:40 -0500
>>>> To: Rhodes <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>>>> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Lowering the Mast To The Stern
>>>> 
>>>> LOWERING THE MAST TO THE STERN:
>>>> 
>>>> 1.  Disconnect the back stay tensioning line
>>>> 2.  Disconnect the boom from the traveler
>>>> 3.  Remove the traveler bar
>>>> 4.  Hoist the boom up with the topping lift and cleat it off on the mast
>>>> 5.  Disconnect the pop top slider and close the hatch
>>>> 6.  Disconnect the radio and steaming light
>>>> 7.  Wrap up jib sheets and jib reefing line
>>>> 8.  Disconnect forward lower shrouds and add extensions
>>>> 9.  Loosen all other shroud turnbuckles
>>>> 10. Deploy and secure mast crutch
>>>> 11. Deploy and secure hoist crane to cabin top block
>>>> 12. Attach aft lower shrouds to crane
>>>> 12a Alternate: Attach line from crane to mast bail if you're thus
>> equipped
>>>> 13. Tie hoist winch line to bow cleat with a bowline
>>>> 14. Snug the hoist to slack the bow stay
>>>> 15. Disconnect bow stay
>>>> 16. Crank the hoist "down" giving the mast a little shove to get it
>> started
>>>> 17. Check the shroud extensions as you lower to avoid entanglement.
>>>> 18. Tend the jib as you lower
>>>> 19. Lower the mast to the crutch
>>>> 20. Disconnect mast from tabernacle
>>>> 21. walk mast, boom and jib forward and secure the whole bundle on the
>> bow
>>>> pulpit.
>>>> 
>>>> CAUTION:  Never let anyone stand under the mast while lowering
>>>> 
>>>> __________________________________________________
>>>> Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>>>> 
>>> 
>>> __________________________________________________
>>> Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>>> 
>>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> __________________________________________________
>> Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> 
> __________________________________________________
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> 