CS-17 Mast Raising/Lowering Singlehanded

[ebenton99]

Can the mast of a CS-17 be raised and lowered singlehanded on the water, or would a tabernacle system be appropriate?? Plans for hull #181 arrived today.

Ed

[Kidd]

I would like to affirm what Ray just said. I weigh in the 250 range and stand on the fore deck without fear.

[Joe Nelson CS#35]

If I were building again, I would build a tabernacle for the main. Would ease the biggest pain in rigging. I currently use the small step ladder method with my CS20. I don't like being on/in the boat while on the trailer. The deck can support the weight, but what about all the weight being localized on where the boat is supported by the trailer?

[Hirilonde]

I just bought the .065 tubing for my Spindrift mast from McMaster Carr. The 2" x 6' piece cost $2 less than the 1 3/4" x 6' piece. Go figure.

[ebenton99]

Thanks for the input. Deck strength is not my concern. My concern is actually standing on that deck while the boat rolling, pitching, etc. trying take the mast down and then put it back up again. Per Ray's note below "Not that I could step and unstep one handed mind you" That is exactly my concern. I simply do not know if it can be done without dislocating/breaking any of my body parts or falling off that deck into the watery brine with said mast in hand.

Graham's own account in the Everglades Challenge link--First sentence 7th paragraph (i believe) notes/states that Graham and Fred were rehearsing the mast lowering/raising issue--"Close reaching up the pass on the north side of the causeway we were rehearsing our unrigging / mast lowering plan when I spotted the orange flashing preparatory light on the far side of the Boca Grande swing bridge." And as we know Graham and Fred had done the Watertribe Challenge the year before.

[ebenton99]

I would not have to pass under bridges very often. My dream is to do the Watertribe Challenge (class 4) at least once, perhaps more depending on available disposable income and time. Delusions about winning, I do not have (anything is possible). However, going to the trouble of building a boat, dragging it and myself to Florida, subjecting my family to my absence and then arriving at the bridge and not being able to take the mast down, etc., would tend to make one look at least unprepared, if not foolish. (how's this for a run-on sentence)??

I have plans for the cs and from other designer xx just trying to pick which one is more forgiving of the my singlehanded situation.

Ed

[Eric]

I can just step my masts by myself on my CS17 and they are wooden, probably weighing about 20 pounds each. However, the main mast stepping can be pretty sporty when the boat is bobbing around in the water. Sometimes when having trouble, I use a towel to set the base of the mast on so not to mar the deck paint, get my balance and grip right again, and drop it in the mast hole. Big fun. Have only dropped the mast in the drink once, however yesterday I fell off, but we were just off the beach. I have to do this every time I go sailing as I have to pass under three bridges on the way to the bay.

But I am happy with my wooden masts, once they are up they work great and they look way salty. I think they may be a bit more stiff than aluminum, as they are laminated and solid, but not sure about that. So far I am happy I didn't put any effort to looking for the right kind of aluminum here in Thailand.

There was six of us in the boat yesterday with some decent gusts, no nasty cracking sounds. Yet.. haha..

[Gordy Hill]

I've never had much trouble with my masts on my CS 17. I've wrapped the main around the mast, then moved the mizzen from it's step to the mid, or reefing step with the sail and sprit rigged. It ends up looking somewhat like a rodeo event and there's certainly the possibility of an incredibly embarrassing situation, but the few times I did it there were no problems. I've done it on the water with conditions that would suggest reefing, but in rather protected water.

I've dropped both masts in the Great Race to pass under the bridge, but had my girlfriend there to steer. I like the sleeve luff and keeping things simple, at least on the CS 17. I think tabernacles would be another complication.

[ebenton99]

Again I want to thank everyone for their responses. If I was not a klutz in these matters I probably would not be of much concern, but when the Supreme Deity was handing out the abilityto be fleet of foot, I missed that line completel. As Ray noted, and Gordy echoed the tabernacle has it's own complications. Which means I want to think about it some more. Thanks all of you. Ed

[JeffM]

Ed, search on "mast AND stepper" for another option. Terry Dunn and I have rigged simple devices for doing this, and I wouldn't dream of going without them any more.

[Tom Lathrop]

I had no problems with handling the masts on the Bay River Skiff and the CS 17 masts should not be much more difficult. On the other hand, I am planning on building another boat and it will have a tabernacle on the main mast. I seldom disagree with Gordy, but once the tabernacle is built, there are no serious complications that I know of. For us older and weaker, formerly agile sailors, the tabernacle looks like a good option.