Good idea for a knotty problem. On Sun, Jul 28, 2013 at 5:12 PM, Michael Murphy <mikeandpaula48@gmail.com>wrote:
Last week I launched on a canal leading to the Albemarle Sound. It was so narrow that even a small wake from a passing boat could rock the top of the mast into overhanging trees. Therefore this week I practiced raising/lowering the mast on the water.
I like to steer with the rudder, not the engine, while motoring. With the mast on the center-line mounted crutch it's impossible to ship the rudder, so an alternative way to support the mast was needed. Two 1 by 3's fastened together with an eye-bolt made an X- frame support for the mast.
The legs sit on the seats & are held in place with small lines threaded through 2 existing eye-straps on the transom. Two other lines provide fore & aft stability. One runs forward to a cleat in the cockpit; the other goes behind the X-frame to a rear toe-rail cleat. The tiller can swing between the legs of the frame.
My normal method of raising the mast consists of lifting the mast to my shoulder while in the cockpit & stepping into the cabin and pushing the mast up & forward where it seats in the tabernacle. On the trailer the step forward can be boldly made. The boat is firmly seated in its bunks so it is stable.
On the water, however, that first step caused the boat to rock quite a bit. Therefore, When I lowered the mast, I adopted the mantra "I am centered!" By keeping my feet on the centerline of the boat there was barely any rocking.
I'm looking forward to having access to additional sailing areas currently blocked by low bridges and other obstructions with this set-up.