Ash Woods wrote:
I would devise a pair of sheer legs to hold the mast just above its balance point with a small tackle. The legs could double as sweeps. They would only need to be a little over the LAP of the mast.
I wouldn't trust any hinge / pivot device to cope with the loads imparted whilst afloat, movements of the vessel even in flat calm due to your movement could be massive.
With bilge keels and the vessel on the hard at least the boat would be stable and you could rig temporary stays - as per your photos.
I had a similar problem with a Coromandel with a rigid one piece mast, the little wedges were cracking the GRP, near the top of the GRP cone, despite trying to apply their load at the base of the cone where it was supported by the deck.
We repaired with epoxy and grp woven rovings and a new mast boot and had no further problems.
I used to raise a mast on a 21' Wharram Tiki singlehanded with two sweeps cut down for the purpose. I never needed to to so afloat.
On Robin Blain's boat GiGi he has a hinge - not sure if he tries it afloat - more a case of rigging it ashore after trailing.
Good to meet you at the AGM with your Mum and Dad
Ash
Thanks Ash. Yes, I'm thinking of sheer legs made from sweeps, when I can find some, though I'm going to try sculling first. A thule pin for a sculling oar could also make it function as an emergency rudder.
I don't like the rattly stainless steel gallows on the Coromandel very much. I spotted
this crossed-boards arrangement on Shoal Waters and that also resembles sheer legs, so I'm wondering if there's some cunning re-use there too. Wood. I like wood.
When I talk about lowering the mast afloat I'm mainly thinking of canals or rivers, away from swell and chop, but Tammy Norie does sway quite a lot if someone puts the kettle on so she's not exactly a stable platform.