Anyone ever attempted to hinge the mast at the cabin top? I would like to be able to launch the boat without having to pay to step and unstep the mast. I have Commander #4 "Robin". The idea would be to lay it back to a crutch at the stern, then pull the hinge pin and walk it forward (2 people). Thanks!
Search on Tabernacle, mast hinge, etc. There are a number of threads dealing with the subject.
common in Santa Cruz. Try contacting Scott Galloway in this group. His boat has a tabernacle
Ariels forward lower and raise because of their dog house.
Years ago I made some copies taken from Bruce Bingham's 'Sailor's Sketchbook'
International Marine 1983, of his 4 page essay, with amazing drawings, on what
he calls: Single-Handed Masting. Clearest and most revealing explanation, ever.
Forward lowering uses the boom as a lever to lower and hoist the mast.
It's done, as I understand it, "on the run" to allow sailboats in Santa Cruz to dip
their masts to get under a roadway to an inner marina.
Also done at Huntington Beach to get under the Pacific Highway. Internet.
Bingham gives you a simple OR a permanent alternative that require a couple
baby stays and a bridle -- plus a measure of chutzpah -- to control the masting.
The boat needs to be already fully rigged to make the necessary adjustments.
Mast foot needs to be altered to receive a hinge style or rolling tabernacle.
Web is ripe with stern lowering methods. You may want to stick with that.
But if you're interested in forward lowering using the boom, get me an address
and I'll send you a copy. Use 'Notifications' on top of this page.
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see: [google]
Tabernacle Operation - Pearson Ariel
Mast step discussions - Pearson Ariel
threads
Commander 147 [page 18.]
Dropping the mast by hand [using an A-frame]