[Rhodes22-list] Trailering With/Without The Mast Crutch?

[ROGER PIHLAJA]

Allyn,

The mast was not designed to be unsupported for ~22 ft, the distance between the bow and stern pulpits.  Think of the mast as a spring.  Left unsupported, the mast will vibrate as the trailer goes down the road.  If you add in the mast crutch, the unsupported distance is cut by ~1/2.  This increases the resonant frequency of the spring outside the range that will be encountered on the road.  While the mast will not fail immediately due to this over the road vibration, every cycle is adding to total fatigue cycles.  The vibration on the trailer is much higher frequency vs when the mast is stepped on the water.  This means the fatigue cycles add up pretty fast on the trailer.  A 100 miles at expressway speed with the center of the mast unsupported probably racks up the fatigue cycle equivalent of several years of use on the water.  You are definitely shortening the life of your mast if you trailer without the mast crutch supporting the center.

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium

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From: Peter Nyberg<mailto:peter at sunnybeeches.com>
Sent: Monday, November 25, 2019 4:33 PM
To: The Rhodes 22 Email List<mailto:rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Unsure of plastic part above cabin

Allyn,

Yes, leaving the mast in the crutch during transportation is the norm.

—Peter

> On Nov 25, 2019, at 4:21 PM, Allyn Baskerville <allynb at adsne.com> wrote:
>
> I did notice cracks around both holes. I agree with Peter that the mast crutch wasn't used. When I purchased the boat, the mast was tied to the stern and bow rails. I've seen pictures with the mast propped up with the mast crutch during transportation, but I'm not sure if this is the norm.
>