[Rhodes22-list] Mast raising question

[andrew collins]

Chet

The GB mast raising system with the built-in brake is great, even if costly.
If you do not have reliable helpers, it is really the best solution.
Reliable helpers do not exist around here, they either drink beer or have
kids or disappear. With the mast crank you can work slowly, no stress, take
your time, it's great.

andrew c
s/v Carmen


On 4/29/08, chetc <cclocksin at buckeye-express.com> wrote:
>
>
> Hi gang,
>
> Please read the following (which I found in the archives) and tell me if
> you
> think this is truly do-able on a boat with the Inner Mast Furling. It
> almost
> sounds too good to be true...
>
> "RAISING THE MAST has been made easy on trailerable boats because the base
> of the mast slips into some sort of hinge system. But in some boat designs
> the mast is not positively bolted to the hinge or has to be held at an
> angle
> to clear the hatch to fit the hinged step. The experience of a mast flying
> free while trying to raise it, makes me appreciate the positive bolted
> system(that starts at rest)of the RC. Many boats do not have the shrouds
> positioned to prevent the mast from falling sideways while moving thru the
> raising arc. And invariably the mast can only be raised forward by
> standing
> in the cockpit to get leverage while sacrificing height, or standing on
> the
> cabin roof to get height while sacrificing leverage.
> But what if the mast were raised backwards and the upper shrouds were in
> line with the pivoting base of the mast? Then you could stand on the
> foredeck(higher than the cockpit) and at the bow (more leverage than on
> the
> cabin roof) and one person could handle it with continuous sideways
> support
> from the shrouds. If the doctor says not to exert yourself even this much,
> then, with the boom attached to the mast, the halyard to the end of the
> boom, and the main sheet in its normal configuration, you have -a built-in
> mechanical advantage hoist that will let you delegate mast raising to
> almost
> anyone.
> This is how the RHODES 22 does it. The backward approach is made possible
> by
> an extra set of lower shrouds that fasten forward of the mast. Stability
> is
> provided by upper shrouds to chain plates in line with the mast's pivoting
> plane.
> Few other makes have double lowers so their masts can not be raised aft.
> The
> few brands that do have double lowers fail to offer a hinge that allows
> backward raising."
>
> So, the question is, is it truly easier to lower the mast forward/raise
> the
> mast rearward? and does it work well to use the boom as a gin pole and use
> the main sheet tackle for mechanical advantage?
>
> Yes, I know I can purchase an expensive mast crane that may be the
> ultimate,
> but I really shouldn't need it if the above works. Right?
>
> As always, your opinions and experience are most appreciated.
>
> chet
>
>
> --
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> http://www.nabble.com/Mast-raising-question-tp16969288p16969288.html
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