Feasible to convert to tabernacales?

[Joe Nelson CS#35]

Is it feasible to convert a standard built CS20 to have tabernacles?  The main would seem to be the issue.

[PAR]

I don't see any reason why not.

[sitearch]

Joe, I asked the very same question last week of Graham but todate have not recieved any answer. I think he is out of town.

His EC22 has a tabernacle for the main, so I can't wait to see what he thinks. 

I am considering putting in a tabernacle for both my main and mizzen. I can then attach my main sheet block on the tabernacle and off of the thwart thus making it easier to clear my cabin.

I really think it will make rigging up so much easier...and quicker..

Bob

Alaska CS#199

[Terry Dunn]

JeffM and I have created mast step helpers to step the masts on our CS 20s. They work great. Mine are ugly but I would not do without them.

http://www.messing-about.com/forums/index.php?topic=2621.0

[Joe Nelson CS#35]

I guess the big downside is that the mizzen is located such that it could not ride folded.  You would have to detach it for trailering.  So not a big advantage.

[wkisting]

If you mean a fixed tabernacle--not a helper like Terry's setup--it would mean cutting away a large portion of the foredeck (forward of the mast); otherwise, the foot of the main mast cannot swing up and clear to rotate the rest of the mast down. My CS20 plans (#102) actually came with instructions for building this way, so Graham has certainly considered it. I just didn't like the looks of it personally, with the foredeck cut away. If I recall correctly, the height of the landing pad for the mast foot was also raised higher than as originally drawn. But I'm sure the mod is possible, since I don't believe there were any significant structural modifications over the stock design. You would also have to get rid of the stock mast tube and instead build a self-draining "locker" around the area where the mast foot swings foward to clear the deck.

I don't recall if there were drawings for a rotating mizzen also, but I had the same thought as Joe... the length of the mizzen--in my setup at least--would not make it possible to rotate it down (forward) and still keep it in place while towing. It would strike the back of my tow vehicle.

[Terry Dunn]

The first 4 years with my mast step helpers I left the main mast in the pvc and put a board in the mizzen and lashed the masts together while trailering. That worked pretty well. After about 10,000 road miles the helper on the main broke while driving home from the '08 t200. Since then I pull my masts out of the PVC and support them at the main, mizzen mast steps and the transom. Works better for the cover as well. There is no actual disconnecting. The bottom of the masts slide in a few inches, pop the mast upright, drop it in. The reverse for un-stepping. I made a taller main helper than the pictures show as I tended to about pull it up to high when I was taking the main mast down.

I cut a slot in the PVC when I put sail track on so I could lower the main to brush the foredeck to lower the center of force in stronger winds. In the '08 t200 we had two reefs in with the main down to the foredeck.