Forgot password

Gallows and Crutches

  • 17 Jul 2012 00:32
    Quote
    Reply # 1011429 on 632604
    Deleted user
    Hi Annie

    Yep I think it comes down to needs and requirements. In our early days with the Sunbird 32 we had little kids, so having the sail bundle sometimes crashing around just wasn't on - why have a safe rig and a cantankerous sail? I guess we got used to having a g and a c and as we get older it's handy to be able to grab something solid in the cockpit.
    Last modified: 17 Jul 2012 00:33 | Deleted user
  • 17 Jul 2012 00:27
    Quote
    Reply # 1011423 on 632604
    Anonymous member
    David and I were talking about this topic just before he left.  In fact Tystie has a gallows of sorts - a U-shaped structure on the cabin top.  He lashes the sail to this at anchor, but the boom doesn't actually rest on it, so this also puts a bending pull at the top of the mast.  On Fantail I have no gallows and tie my sail off like Michael mentions.  On Badger, it was sufficient simply to haul hard on the sheets to keep the sails quiet at anchor - one of the advantages of a high-aspect ratio rig I guess - and although you could see a wee bend in the masts, it didn't seem to do them any harm.  Wood takes a lot of fatiguing and I don't think one should worry too much about it.

    If it continues to worry you however, some sort of demountable crutch is fairly easy and cheap to make and with a smaller sail, you can heave the whole bundle up a bit and drop it in, rather than having to fit running lazy jacks.

    We actually had crutches on Badger at first, but abandoned them after a year or so, as being surplus to requirements.
  • 16 Jul 2012 23:03
    Quote
    Reply # 1011391 on 632604
    Deleted user
    I've changed the name of this topic as it turned into a discussion of the why's and why nots of boom gallows and crutches. (Former name was Seablossom's peculiar rig.) This is part of a campaign I'll be running to try to keep us all on topic. Please, before you join a topic, check that there isn't already a topic you can join and, if you're starting a new topic, that you're in the appropriate forum. Sticking to this will make finding topics/posts much easier given that Wild Apricot doesn't yet offer a decent search engine.

    --------------------------------

    David Tyler crossed several oceans without boom gallows (see above) for his wingsails before he put his massive new junk sail on. I don't think he has a gallow (?) on that either.

    My Sunbird 32 had gallows (well, one for the main, and a crutch for the foresail). When we sold her and got Paradox (ex Freedom 39 Pilothouse Schooner) I really missed them and had some made. The main is pretty heavy, so I felt that a gallow/s was/were essential anyway, and it's become a useful and secure vertical grab point each side of the cockpit. 

    On the Sunbird we had situations in which the main would swing harshly from side to side - motoring into rolly rivers, at anchor sometimes. Lashing the boom as described above works but can take time. I was always glad and sometimes relieved to be able to simply lower the boom with the running lazyjacks into the gallows. 
    Last modified: 16 Jul 2012 23:20 | Deleted user
  • 16 Jul 2012 22:20
    Quote
    Reply # 1011367 on 632604
    Anonymous member
    No boom gallows for me and I'm fitting safety lines more for my partners peace of mind than mine. I will also fit a Jackstay/line.
  • 16 Jul 2012 21:44
    Quote
    Reply # 1011350 on 632604
    Deleted user

    I had a similar question regarding boom gallows and if they ere necessary on Mariposa. At the moment the rig is supported by the lazy jacks/topping lift. What concerns me is as I'm on a swinging mooring just outside a marina entrance, I find that the wash from passing marina traffic is causing the rig to roll from side to side. So I take a line from the end of the boom to either side of the boat and make fast to cockpit winches. However, this seems to pull the rig down slightly increasing pressure at the top of the (wooden) mast which you can see bending at the top towards the stern. Add to this some strong winds on the nose and it looks like it could snap! Does this sound like a normal set-up to others? Feedback greatly appreciated.
  • 28 Jun 2011 21:55
    Quote
    Reply # 633746 on 633728
    Deleted user
    Kurt Jon Ulmer wrote:Neither gallows nor lifelines on mehitabel. Lifts have been sufficient for the sails, and grabs and a jackline for the people. Fun, eh, all the deliberations and imaginings that come home with a boat... 
    Kurt

    Jackline?? GREAT idea!
  • 28 Jun 2011 21:01
    Quote
    Reply # 633728 on 632604
    Anonymous member
    Neither gallows nor lifelines on mehitabel. Lifts have been sufficient for the sails, and grabs and a jackline for the people. Fun, eh, all the deliberations and imaginings that come home with a boat... 
    Kurt
  • 28 Jun 2011 04:13
    Quote
    Reply # 633196 on 633060
    Deleted user
    Jeff McFadden wrote:Neil Tanner writes ... "What do you do when you let go of the gallows? "
    I'm thinking some lifelines might be handy in the long run.

    yep...  from my experience...not using gallows....I've managed...like they say...several ways to skin a cat....

    Last modified: 28 Jun 2011 04:22 | Deleted user
  • 28 Jun 2011 03:02
    Quote
    Reply # 633107 on 633080
    Deleted user
    David Tyler wrote:You might not need to go forward to handle the rig, but you need to go forward to anchor, to lay fenders, to come alongside... 
    What the gallows will do as a handhold is to protect the step up/step down onto the narrowest part of the side deck. Once there, you can shuffle along using the wooden handrails.
     
    I have taut lines stretched from the mast, back either side to points near the companionway. These are what I hold onto, and clip onto when necessary. An inboard line is just as useful as a guardwire around the deck edge. Pilot boats have a rail a few feet inboard, for the pilot to hold as he reaches for the jacobs ladder on the ship.
    All I'm saying is you don't need gallows to do any of those things, anchor, lay fenders or come alongside...yes it is a nice hand-hold, but ....and Jeff is located mid west US....not mid Atlantic....
  • 28 Jun 2011 02:37
    Quote
    Reply # 633080 on 632604
    Anonymous member
    You might not need to go forward to handle the rig, but you need to go forward to anchor, to lay fenders, to come alongside... 
    What the gallows will do as a handhold is to protect the step up/step down onto the narrowest part of the side deck. Once there, you can shuffle along using the wooden handrails.
     
    I have taut lines stretched from the mast, back either side to points near the companionway. These are what I hold onto, and clip onto when necessary. An inboard line is just as useful as a guardwire around the deck edge. Pilot boats have a rail a few feet inboard, for the pilot to hold as he reaches for the jacobs ladder on the ship.
    Last modified: 28 Jun 2011 02:42 | Anonymous member
       " ...there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in junk-rigged boats" 
                                                               - the Chinese Water Rat

                                                              Site contents © the Junk Rig Association and/or individual authors

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software