[Rhodes22-list] GBI's Single Handed Mast Raising System

[Todd Tavares]

   >
   > You won't be able to build anything for yourself that is as safe to
   use or works as well.
   > The value / price ratio on this piece of gear is very high.
   >

     I would have to disagree with both statements.  : -D

   Todd

   (wouldn't I?)


   ----- Original Message -----
   From: "Roger Pihlaja"
   Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2004 22:28:15 -0400
   To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list"
   Subject: [Rhodes22-list] GBI's Single Handed Mast Raising System
   > I retrofitted GBI's single handed mast raising system onto Dynamic
   Equilibrium, our 1976 Rhodes 22 about 3 years ago. As many of you know
   from the pictures on the web site, Dynamic Equilibrium has a custom
   made set of stainless steel railing. My aft mast crutch is also custom
   designed to work with my railings. So, I cannot pass judgement on the
   GBI mast crutch. However, the gin pole system itself is superbly
   engineered & constructed. In my opinion, it's as good as anything I
   might have designed & built for myself! I have raised and lowered my
   mast on the water many times with the GBI system. Many of the boat
   trips we've taken since installing the mast raising system have been
   planned with this on-the-wate r mast stepping capability in mind. The
   gin pole stows nicely under the cockpit seats. You can also leave it
   attached to the socket on the cabin top & use the built-in winch to
   lash it down tight against the foredeck. I've never had a sheet get
   fouled on the gin pole during a tack.
   >
   > Having the built-in brake on the winch greatly facilitates
   on-the-water mast stepping. Quite often, during the mast raising or
   lowering process, the rocking or pitching of the boat in the water
   will cause some part of the standing rigging to become fouled. With
   the built-in brake on the winch, you simply go & attend to the problem
   at your leisure & then resume cranking.
   >
   > My custom aft mast crutch is considerably more compact than the GBI
   mast crutch. My mast crutch disassembles & I store the components in
   the head outboard of the porta-potti. I can sail with the aft mast
   crutch in place; but, it adds considerable windage & some weather
   helm. I wouldn't think the GBI mast crutch wouldn't add as much
   windage or weather helm.
   >
   > Considering the types of loads placed on it & the magnitude of those
   loads, the GBI gin pole & winch are sized appropriately. You certainly
   wouldn't want to trust a twist lock or button lock telescoping
   mechanism given the potential compression loads. You won't be able to
   build anything for yourself that is as safe to use or works as well.
   The
   > value / price ratio on this piece of gear is very high.
   >
   > Roger Pihlaja
   > S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
   > __________________________________________________
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