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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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"A" Frame question

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Jmurfy
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USA
176 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/24/2005 : 23:33:43

Can anyone tell me if the 1" conduit described in the mast raising "A" frame system described in the tech forum is rigid conduit or EMT?

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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1768 Posts

Response Posted - 10/24/2005 : 23:39:43

Hi Jeff,

I used rigid conduit ... 'sorry I don't know what EMT is

'Hope that helps.

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Jmurfy
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Response Posted - 10/25/2005 : 00:23:39

Thanks Buzz,
Emt is just a thinner walled electrical conduit. I will be making an "A" frame in the next few days and want to do it right the 1st time if possible.

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Buzz Maring
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1768 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2005 : 07:56:04

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Jmurfy
 Thanks Buzz,
Emt is just a thinner walled electrical conduit. I will be making an "A" frame in the next few days and want to do it right the 1st time if possible.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Hi Jeff,

EMT definitely won't work ... not too long ago someone built an A-frame using something lighter than rigid steel conduit (I assume it must have been EMT), and the A-frame collapsed.

BTW, do you have a standard rig, or a tall rig? If you have a tall rig, the A-frame still works, but the taller, heavier mast has more tendency to sway from side to side. To overcome that, tall rig owners usually rig some temporary stays to keep the mast centered while it's going up or coming down.

Good luck with your project ... let us know if you have any more questions.

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boatgt
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117 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2005 : 10:50:41

What did you guys use for the pivots on the deck. I built one earlier this year and used semi heavy-duty hinges bolted to the chain plates. It seems to work well, I would just like to come up with something better.
Thanks
Gene

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Buzz Maring
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1768 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2005 : 11:37:53

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by boatgt
 What did you guys use for the pivots on the deck. I built one earlier this year and used semi heavy-duty hinges bolted to the chain plates. It seems to work well, I would just like to come up with something better.
Thanks
Gene<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Hi Gene,

Welcome to the group!

I used pipe nipples attached to the forward lower shroud chainplates ... here are a couple of photos:

'Hope that helps ...

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clayC
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207 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2005 : 13:41:36

I used a couple of pieces of angle iron and they worked well.

Clay C

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StSimon
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298 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2005 : 14:07:38

Mine is similar to Buzz's except for pins instead of bolts at the bottom of the nipple.

Here's a link to a similar thread and the photos of my setup.

http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=10593

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boatgt
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117 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2005 : 16:30:05

That looks like an excellent idea! I have been attaching mine to the middle chain plate with two holes. The hinge seemed better supported there. I also like the idea of the quick release pins.
Thanks for all the info!
Gene

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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1916 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2005 : 18:09:16

I'm just a simple minded Neandrathal when it came to building my A frame. I built it out of 13 foot long cedar 2 x 4's hinged at the center with an eye bolt. Loop of rope through the eye bolt. Scrap pieces of 1/4" line through holes drilled in the feet of the frame, and tied off to the bottom of the stanchions. Feet rounded off with a sabre saw and belt sander. Built in about 30 minutes, and easy to use.
I can raise and lower my tall rig myself

you can make fun of me now

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cjb
1st Mate

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USA
27 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2005 : 18:57:32

been reading about the a frame for a while. To me simpler is beter. I built a single pole 9' long from 2" aluminum pipe. put a eye bolt on top and bottom. attachet one end to mt spineker pole eye on the mast. attached my jib sheet to the top eye and boom vang tackle wit a longer line to the bottom eye and bow stem fitting. 2 lazy lies either side to keep it centered. droped my mast and a oday 25 mast in about an hour. Can't believe it was so easy We have been musling it up for years now. older and wiser I guess Thanks for all the great info this board provides

83/tr/sk

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stampeder
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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2005 : 21:50:33

I've raised and lowered about 6 times this past year - I use the A frame Buzz pictures - but every time I raise and lower, I seem to forget one thing - so, I made a list, laminated it and taped it to my A-frame. It sure makes the whole process go faster. Next time I raise my mast will be next April, so I will be relying on my notes to remind of that one thing I'm sure to forget.
As has been noted earlier, perhaps the best thing to have is a detailed understanding of your rigging.

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Jmurfy
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176 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2005 : 22:38:51

Lots of good information here! I have a craftsman with a hydraulic press available to bend my rigid conduit for me. Therefore i have one important question. Does anyone know the horizontal distance, centerline to centerline between the forward shroud chainplates? I can drive to the harbor to get it if necessary but thought I would ask first.

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StSimon
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298 Posts

Response Posted - 10/26/2005 : 11:10:35

As close as I can tell (measuring singlehanded) it is about 61".

Once you are assembled and attempting to secure the A-frame on the boat it shouldn't be too difficult to adjust the spread on the legs.

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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 10/26/2005 : 22:19:08

when I bent my cunduit to make the A-frame, I used a bench vise and sledge hammer. Bought 10' length of conduit and cut 8" off the end so that when finished, the A-Frame rests on the deck and just clears the bow pulpit. I leave the A-Frame attached over the winter and when in transit.

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