Re: Tabernacle Ideas (Big Picture) <img src="pic.gif" border

[Guest Dave R, Roch, MN]

Tim, I have a round mast for my Weekender and I am planning to make a hinge plate that fits in a slot running fore and aft in the mast. There's a drawing at the link if the picture doesn't show. The drawing is large but to see the detail I found I had to leave it big.

In the side view, the mast attaches on the right end while the plate is bolted into the tabernacle through the three holes on the left end of the plate. The top of the tabernacle and heel of the mast when upright meet at the yellow broken line.

Lowering the mast consists of removing the top bolt or pin (from the right-most hole in the drawing) then lifting the mast very slightly (3/4") and hinging it back. The shrouds would need to be loosened a bit to do this but the mast shouldn't go anywhere until you're ready for it.

Mast Hinge

drkr4109@iwon.com

[Guest John Teetsel]

Dave, the dreaded "Sorry Sucker, you can't access image station from where you are" logo is all that shows and the same with the link.

Bluemax44@pipeline.com

[Guest John Teetsel]

Maybe this will work.

Bluemax44@pipeline.com

[Guest Gordy]

Tabernacle? gaff? hinge? hoops? halyards? Geeze! Before you know it you'll have shrouds and stays and maybe even a gooseneck!

I used to sail with all that stuff, but I think I'm over it now.

Cat ketch, free-standing masts, sprits, I'll admit sometimes I get fidgetty after sailing for a while. I feel like I should be doing something.

sirgordy@peoplepc.com

[Guest Dave R, Roch, MN]

Sorry about that. That's the picture but it's too small to see the details.

I forgot that I'd put it on the MSN site, too. Here's that link: http://groups.msn.com/WeekenderBoatbuilding/daverichardsweekender.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=897

It's still pretty big. The colors are different, too.

drkr4109@iwon.com

[Guest Phil Davis (TX)]

Dave,

Great Idea.... I Love It!!!

However, I would like to make a suggestion about a potential problem: The slot you create an exit slot for one of the bolts. The problem is that you substantially reduce the strength of the plate at that point.

I wonder if the row of holes were offset to be near the edge, say a 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch. That would retain the (majority) of the strength of the plate. It might also be a little easier to use a pivit at this point anyway.

Phil

phil@coolbluedesigns.com