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Trailering and mast support

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TRogers
1st Mate

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USA
90 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/29/2004 : 22:11:34

I'm getting ready to haul out my 81 C25 to do some spring bottom work, I have completed creating the A-frame device that I noted in another thread, however I'm not quite sure about securing the mast for trailering (going to move it to my yard so that I can easily work on it evenings and weekends until the weather gets warmer).

The pictures in the tech tips section show a mast support at the stern made of two 2x4 to catch the mast when it is lowered. Is the intent of this to leave the mast up in this cradle 8 feet above the cockpit floor? Seems like it might be a bit wobbly?

Also, does the mast need to be supported somewhere amidship in addition to at the bow and the stern to prevent undue stress/flex?

Tom Rogers
Tack n Two
Spokane, WA

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/29/2004 : 23:14:00

mmmm Spokane, nice town.
My mast-ups (available from Catalina Direct) are adjustable, tall for working on the boat and just at the pull-pit and push-pit for trailing. I use a plastic 4x4 fence post set on the mast step for center support.

Edited by - on

Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2004 : 10:21:45

Tom,

I wouldn't say this was the only way, nor possibly the BEST, but it has worked for me since 1983. Like Frank, I use the mast-up from Catalina Direct that fits into the gudgeons on the transom. I merely tie the base of the mast to the bow pulpit....appropriately padded, and tie the top of the mast down to the stern pulpit so it won't jump out of the mast crutch.

If you use an 8' 2x4 to catch the mast....use a shorter one to transport it....8' up would be WAY wobbley, and create clearance problems. I suspect that mine rides only a little over 4 1/2" off the cockpit floor when traveling. You COULD put it right on the stern pulpit, but then access to the companionway for maintenance might be more difficult....I sure hope I am understanding your question!

Additionally, in recent years, I built little 2X4 support with a small plywood base that fits into the mast step and through-bolts. I screwed little 1x2s on each side of the 2/4 so it will not fall off to either side of the mast. You may have to trim just an eighth of an inch or so from the 2X4 to fit the step, as it is just UNDER 3 1/2 inches on my boat. Sorry, I am not photo capable at this point. It looks a lot like Frank's deal, but mine rides much lower and closer to the boat. I think my mid mast support is about 19" tall or so....?

I have towed thousands of miles like this....(cumulatively, not in one trip!).

Gary B.
Vice Commodore

PS...Spokane....nice town. My daughter is going to college there now at Whitworth, the other one's at SPU in Seattle..

BTW: any thought to coming over to Portland in July for the National Regatta/Rendezvous? You are close enough!! Don't stay away because you may not be a serious racer....few of us are, but we will have a ball. Check out our local website and links under the "Racing" Section on the Association homepage and get in touch if it sounds like fun to you....

Edited by - Gary B. on 03/01/2004 10:30:15

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2004 : 13:31:26

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by fhopper@mac.com
 I use a plastic 4x4 fence post set on the mast step for center support.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Exactly, and it is important to do this.

Edited by - on

TRogers
1st Mate

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USA
90 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2004 : 00:11:34

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Gary B.
 Tom,

I wouldn't say this was the only way, nor possibly the BEST, but it has worked for me since 1983. Like Frank, I use the mast-up from Catalina Direct that fits into the gudgeons on the transom. I merely tie the base of the mast to the bow pulpit....appropriately padded, and tie the top of the mast down to the stern pulpit so it won't jump out of the mast crutch.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Sound like a good idea. I couldn't find these on the Catalina Direct website. Do you recall about what they mast-ups cost?

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
BTW: any thought to coming over to Portland in July for the National Regatta/Rendezvous? You are close enough!! Don't stay away because you may not be a serious racer....few of us are, but we will have a ball. Check out our local website and links under the "Racing" Section on the Association homepage and get in touch if it sounds like fun to you....
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks for the invite. I'm not exactly a real trailer sailer yet. Had the boat less than a year and it is parked in a year round slip on Lake Pend Oreille (about 30 miles NE from Spokane). I do have a brother who lives in Portland so I wouldn't rule out coming down to check it out (but without my boat).

Edited by - on

Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2004 : 01:15:29

Tom, they are WAY too much money, IMHO, about $175, or so if memory serves...If you got a good look at one, I'll bet you could have someone weld one up for a fraction of that price. Two square tubes, one inside the other, with holes drilled so that one can slide up and then be pinned in the "up" position. There is a U shaped crutch on the top piece to accept the mast, and two L shaped pins on the lower section that fit into the gudgeons. That is about it, although a little roller mechanism on the bottom of the U shape is a nice addition. Sorry, I am the moron who cannot yet post photos!

So sorry that you won't be coming over with your boat! An opportunity like this may not come along for "years" to the NW. If you would like to crew for someone, put your name on our "Dating service" ;) (crew opportunities) section of our local Fleet 94 website. The link is at the top of the General Forum.

Regards,

Gary B.
Vice Commodore

Edited by - on

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2004 : 08:34:32

The mast-up's work as advertised, and are convienient to use, but I don't like it that they attach to the boat's gudgeons. I have talked to a Catalina 22 owner who was convinced that several years of using a mast-up resulted in a lot of cracking of the gelcoat around the upper gudgeon. My mast crutch is a pair of 2 x 4 risers with a cross-beam that sits on the cockpit floor and is lashed to the stern pulpit. This only costs a few bucks and can't rust like a mast-up which is made of steel tubing.

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1768 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2004 : 09:30:54

Hi Tom,

Here is a photo that shows the system I use when I transport my boat:

The support on the bow pulpit looks like this:

The support for the middle of the mast fits in the mast tabernacle, and it looks like this:

To support the mast at the transom, I built a mast crutch out of treated 2x4s with a "U" at the top ... there is a boat trailer roller in the "U" so I can slide the mast through the crutch. When I'm transporting the boat, the crutch sits on the cockpit floor, and I lash it to the stern pulpit. When I'm raising the mast, I put a 4x4 across the two lockers in the cockpit and I use that as a base for the crutch ... that raises the mast up almost 3 feet so I can get better leverage when I'm starting to raise the mast. Here's what that looks like:

I'm sorry I don't have a close-up of the transom mast crutch. It's pretty straight forward ... 'just treated 2x4s put together with deck screws and "Gorilla Glue."

'Hope that helps ... let me know if you've got any questions. Good luck with your projects!

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2004 : 10:26:50

There are some pictures of my mast-ups at the bottom of this page.

http://homepage.mac.com/fhopper/PhotoAlbum24.html

Edited by - on

Ellis Bloomfield
1st Mate

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USA
85 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2004 : 10:59:07

I use a support fastened to the gudgeons for raising the mast. To transport I like to keep it low. I use the three pillow method. A pillow on the pointy end and square end pulpits and one wedged between the mast and the hatch cover for mid support.

Edited by - on

dave holtgrave
Captain

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USA
427 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2004 : 11:14:22

hey frank
did you make the mast up steel tubes?
if so, tell me about the back support.
how did you support it to the guedgons?
what size tubes did you use?
how far does the support extend in height above the boat when you are ready to lift the mast?
how do you fasten the two tubes together at a set height?
bolt and nut fastened

thanks
dave holtgrave
5722
sk/tr
sailing carlyle lake in southern illinois

you should be proud you what you have did to your boat.
it looks great!!

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2004 : 17:59:06

Those are kind words, thank you. Now as to how worthless I really am; I went out and shot a few more pictures of the mast-ups that should give you more detail about how they are made. A neighbor added the tube to the bow unit for me. You can see the cotter keys in the pintles, they hold the pintles in the gudgeons. You can see the nice quick clevis in the back unit and the wing-nut and bolt in the front unit. I am not sure how high the back one will go, I think one more hole... maybe two. In another page of pictures you can see the SS backing plate I added inside the transom to reinforce the new heavy duty gudgeon. It is in projects- Spinlock/block traveler controls, it is with the gudgeon sitting on the counter. Be sure to do the slide show, the picture quality is much better, the whole page view is just the thumbnails.

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 03/02/2004 18:00:50

John V.
Admiral

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USA
559 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2004 : 21:41:44

I made my own mast up using steel from my local hardware store, and some trailer parts from west marine. I welded the thing up myself.
the large tube has a 3/8" nut welded at the top half inch. I made a stainless T nut to use as a stop on the small tube. The gudgeon pintals on the large tube were made from 7/16 bolts welded on straight and then heated and bent. I welded the mast cradle using a trailer roller and some 1/8 x 1 in steel strap bent in a U shape with the roller across the bottom. The whole thing cost about $20 and works well. Sorry but I also have no pic's the whole works in still under the tarps.

bad news.... I got out the bimini from storage and found that mice had chewed up sections of the top and it now has holes in it. There is no way to patch it. I found an Amish guy who does canvas work so I'll have to have a new one made.

Edited by - on

TRogers
1st Mate

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USA
90 Posts

Response Posted - 03/03/2004 : 15:04:56

Frank,

Thanks for the photos. I'm starting to understand how this works with the gudgeons now.

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