When I don't feel like trying to manhandle the thing, I usually do something similar. Instead of the mainsheet tackle, I use my jib sheet blocks , which are easier to detach. I clip one to the bow and one to the jib halyard. Then I run a long line from the bow cleat through the jib block and then the bow block and back to one of the jib sheet winches. It works very well and is pretty simple to rig up. I've done it at the dock a few times to retrieve skyed halyards and it worked. In a pinch, I think I'd do the same thing underway. I can't imagine trying to for a gallows comfortably on the 17. I'd be tempted to build a little removable triangle support instead , standing it up against the cockpit combings in line with the backstay and securing with guys to the backstay chainplates and jib cleats. Send like a cheap and easy thing to build, rig, and store when not in use! Dan Farrell M17 #301 John Schinnerer <john@eco-living.net> wrote:
Agree with Jerry, use the jib halyard not the forestay.
One good reason being,you need to detach and re-attach the forestay when lowering/raising mast, so you want the tension of raising and lowering on something else, not on the forestay. Otherwise...what's holding the mast up, while you detach the forestay to lower or reattach it after raising? How do you get a little slack in the forestay to get it connected?
On my M-17 I raise/lower using jib halyard and additional line/tackle, with attachment point forward being the bow pulpit.
To lower I just use a line (clipped to jib halyard) with friction turns around a winch, I can reach up & lower the mast weight OK myself from rear of cockpit when the line gets too low angle to work.
To raise I put my mainsheet tackle in the system. Boom block clips to jib halyard. Traveler block with cam cleat clips to bow pulpit. That way the cam cleat works to hold the raising line as I go up, I can pause going up, move feet or hands, etc. any time with the line held by the cam.
Also agree about simplicity...I like to keep my systems as simple as possible to meet the essential needs. Less is more, as the saying goes...less to tangle or trip over, less to maintain, less to take out and put away, clean, dry, etc.
cheers, John S.
On 05/21/2018 02:11 PM, jerry@jerrymontgomery.org wrote:
I don’t know about the gallows. A difference between Dave Scobie and myself is that he likes lots of gadgets and I like simplicity. I have the greatest respect for Dave- he’s a smart guy and is probably a better all-round sailor than I am. I like all the things that make a boat sail better and faster, and aside from that I like things that make it easier to sail but not at the expense of performance. I’m happy with a mast support that fits in the rudder gudgeons, and as soon as the mast goes up the support goes in the back of my truck, along with the tie-down lines. For you, since you need to lower the mast to go under the bridge, maybe it would work to just keep the mast support on the boat and drop the mast on it. obviously you’d need to sister the rudder gudgeons so you wouldn’t need to unship the rudder. To me, the gallows is weight aloft, and windage, both of which are detrimental to performance. When I anchor I’m perfectly happy to either hook the end of the boom to the backstay triangle, or, in the case of the M-15, which I’ve done some cruising in, using the main halyard, then furling the main on the boom and setting up the cockpit awning over the boom. I can see the value of a gallows on a “real” bluewater boat that will be sitting for days or weeks at anchor, but not a trailerable.
I’m going to take the liberty of putting this thread on the M forum; some of those people will have something to say. M-17 owners- be aware that the Sage has the shrouds swept aft since it’s a 7/8 rig, so the M-23-type (also used on many others) of mast stabilizer won’t work as far as I can see. Doesn’t mean that some smart M-15 user, which has the same characteristic, hasn’t some up with a simple and ingenious way to get the job done. If so, hopefully you’ll hear from him/her. Good luck and I’ll get back to you if I come up with anything.
From: Erik Stavrand Sent: Monday, May 21, 2018 1:27 PM To: jerry@jerrymontgomery.org Subject: Re: Rigging for my boat
Hi Jerry,
Thanks for the suggestion - it is elegant. I’ll be interested in your thoughts after the race - good luck.
Also - I’m thinking I’ll need a boom gallows (or a crutch for the boom and mast). As rigged from Sage can the mast come back with the boom attached?
Thanks,
Erik
Erik Stavrand stavrand@me.com
If your dreams don’t scare you they’re not big enough.
On May 21, 2018, at 4:06 PM, jerry@jerrymontgomery.org wrote:
I'd use the jib halyard rather than the forestay. it might work to attach the halyard to the bow pulpit, then run it back to the winch as usual. You'd still need someone (or something) to keep the mast from going off to one side. I have a race this weekend and I'll think about it. I'm soon going to be 78 and am starting to get weak and wobbly so I need to work out something for my boat before I fall off!
-----Original Message----- From: Erik Stavrand Sent: Monday, May 21, 2018 5:26 AM To: jerry@jerrymontgomery.org Subject: Rigging for my boat
Hi Jerry,
I have a Sage 17 and am interested in your recommendation for a rapid mast raising system using the tabernacle. The marina near my house has a railway crossing that I’ll need to go under. Do you think the headstay could be led to a turning block and aft to the cockpit?
Thanks in advance for your input!
Erik
Erik Stavrand 941-661-9609
-- John Schinnerer - M.A., Whole Systems Design -------------------------------------------- - Eco-Living - Whole Systems Design Services People - Place - Learning - Integration john@eco-living.net - 510.982.1334 http://eco-living.net http://sociocracyconsulting.com