Mast Angle

[Dave R1]

Julie K's mast has been fitted. I'm looking for opinions, wondering if I also, like a number of others, messed up the forward bulkhead angle. In the attached picture (which I hope is visible) the butt of the mast has had some meat ground off the aft side and my bride is pulling on a line to hold it up. Does it look like I took off enough?

I think the boat is sitting a bit down by the stern but I'm not sure how much. If one of our resident artists is willing, perhaps they could draw in a waterline showing how the boat should sit. That might give me a better idea of how it is.

In the second shot, I've added sails, etc. The boom height is correct but the rest is just eyeballed.

I set the boom height so it would clear my brain bucket and let me see around the boat without a lot of ducking and craning.

BTW, the mast is 18' 1"--three feet longer than the plans. It gave me great pain to make it that short as it is a lovely old hollow mast with nary a knot. It was originally a little over 23' long. If I'd thought the Weekender could handle it, I'd have left it alone.

[T. Nelson Surbrook]

I may be just a little too much. It's hard to say when the boat is on the trolly. If the rake to too extream you will know it in the ballance of the boat when going to wind. I would try it as it is and see how it performs. BTW, you are doing a fine job on your boat.

[Dave R1]

Thanks Commodore, I suppose I can try it like it is and make some adjustments. I'll have to figure out wedging the mast so it is adjustable.

[Barry Pyeatt]

Dave,

You can still check the mast box angle "as built". Reach down thru your front hatch and using your angle keeper, set it at the front of the mast box and on top of the chock that is holding it inplace. Lock it and then you can measure that angle with a protrator. It should be 93 degrees at that point.

If it isn't, then at least you will have an understanding of what is or isn't causing concerns. It will help you in learning how to make adjustments to your rigging based upon known circumstances rather than "guesstimates". That alone will save you a lot of frustration and trial and error by knowing what is correct about your boat and what may be causing certain things to happen.

[attachment over 4 years old deleted by admin]

[capt jake]

Dave, I had the same concern with Fire Escape. Your angle looks correct to me, as My boat sat on a trolly with about the same 'stern down' attitude.

[Dave R1]

Barry, Thanks. I know about the angle down there. I did check it once a long time back. Can't remember what it was.

Capt Jake, you are reassuring. Thanks.

[Barry Pyeatt]

Here is what I think is a close approximation of the waterline and stock mast angle per the Stevenson's drawings.

[attachment over 4 years old deleted by admin]

[Dave R1]

Thank you, Barry. That's a great help.

[Stuart Benbow]

Here's how your pics look, tilted to about the right trim level, with a mocked-up water level.

[JTam]

Dave,

T.Nelson was right. The mast angle will effect the amount of weather helm. However, weather helm is effect not only by the mast angle (rake), but also your sailplan. Most boat owners have to tweek their mast rake when the boat is new, or when they get new sails. Getting the boat in the water with the sails up and sailing is the best place to determine if you' ve got the proper mast rake.

There is a good discussion of helm balance and mast rack at:

www.boatus.com/goodoldboat/Helm_balance.htm]

[Dave R1]

Stuart, thank you. Now, I think my car is going to get wet!

JTam, you're right about the helm issues and I am concerned about it. The sails are from Paul and as far as I know, made to the plans. They've been in storage since about the time I went 3D.

JTam, are you planning to make it to the picnic on August 23rd?