[Rhodes22-list] Mast raising question

[Herb Parsons]

The worst part about trying to lower a mast is that it gets heavier as 
it gets lower. By the time you decide it's too heavy, it's too late.


Hank wrote:
> Chet,
>
> I've raised and lowered my mast without the mast crane but it is a two
> person job.  The IMF mast is rather heavy.  However, attaching the lowers as
> Stan advises does prevent the mast from moving sideways.  If I was
> trailering a lot, I would probably buy the crane.  Since I only raise and
> lower at most a couple of times a year, it is not worth it to me.
>
> Hank
>
>
> 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
>>
>>
>> --
>> View this message in context:
>> http://www.nabble.com/Mast-raising-question-tp16969288p16969288.html
>> Sent from the Rhodes 22 mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
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