Stepping the mast

[Shorty]

Hello all,
This is my first post even though I first joined in 2008 I have only just managed to get hold of a prelude. It is No 9 though I'm not sure of its current name and haven't yet decided on a new one.
It has been on the water on Coniston for the past few years and we are intending to take it off the water to give it a bit of tlc. We had an interesting moment this afternoon while taking the mast down. We we had taken of the lowers leaving the shrouds on, we took a rope from the forestay and was lucky enough to have a higher vantage point so took a turn around a strong post to allow us to control the speed and angle while lowering, however best laid plans and all that as we lowered the mast it kicked sideways and slipped at the foot coming down quicker than we would have liked luckily with no damage. It has made me wonder what's the best technique for raising and lowering the mast in the future. Can any of you experienced Prelude owners enlighten me.

Thanks

John

[Shorty]

Having done a bit more research I am thinking that a tabernacle rather than a mast plate might be part of the answer. Does anyone else use a tabernacle and if so can I buy one off the shelf or do I need to get one fabricated ?

[Jeremyfisher]

Hi Shorty and welcome to the site.

My Prelude has an "A" frame for the mast as sailing on the Broads, the mast is up and down all the time! But, I did have the same problem as you with my previous boat, which was a Seahawk 17. I had a stainless steel tabernacle made for me which I bolted through the roof. It wasn't too expensive and made all the difference. I had to drill a hole in the foot of the mast about 8 inches from the bottom as the swivel point. Any good metal worker or forge should be able to make one for you.

Regds


Simon

[chiefwolf]

Hello Shorty

I have Isla sail number 10 since Sept 13. I also worried about safe mast raising as I purchased Isla on her trailer - mast down. In the end I fabricated a wooden A frame that bolts through the hand rail apertures for raising and lowering. It basically cost just the bolts and fixings using wood that I had in stock. The A frame is fitted just for the exercise.Used successfully now for 2 raisings and 1 lowering without incident - but I find it a two person task so that there is some manual support (in the cockpit) as the mast is in the lower position. This year I introduced a 4:1 tackle to minimise the physical effort. I have seen the A frame that Simon mentions on Broad's Preludes but never seen one used in anger. They look a tidy and substantial piece of kit - interesting that they can be deployed easily and frequently. Isla has a berth April to October and could be left mast up on shore unless inspection/maintenance is required so it is a procedure that I try to avoid.

Best regards

John

[Jeremyfisher]

My "frame" is extremely easy to use. There is a shackle point on the bow roller and on the point of the "A"frame with a 4:1 pulley system . I am always able to use it single handed.
It is important however to lower the mast onto a pair of crutches at the stern. Otherwise (as I found to my cost) the overhang of the mast past the cabin roof is so long it doesn't take much to pull the fixings out at the foot of the mast!


Regds

Simon

[Shorty]

Thanks for the replies Simon / John,

Looking closer today I noticed that one set of lugs on the mast foot has broken off so going to have to do something before it goes back up again. I'm definitely thinking the tabernacle route might be best as I'm keen to do some traveling when I get the work finished. We took it off the water today which was entertaing as our trailer is also in need of some tlc. I'll post some photos later in the gallery.
Tomorrow is the start of jet washing and scrubbing but it's keeping the family well entertained this easter

[jerryevans]

Hi there,
my mast foot casting fractured too. I had it welded by a specialist firm near Carlisle. I will dig out the details if you want them.

Regards, Jerry in Cumbria.
Tel 016973 61322 or 07979 375 124

[Shorty]

Hi jerry,

Thanks for your reply, that would be useful if you don't mind.

Thanks

John

[chiefwolf]

Hi Simon

Your A frame certainly appears significantly more convenient and useable. Any idea regarding suppliers please?

Thanks

John

[Jeremyfisher]

Hi John

Haven't the faintest idea as it was supplied with the boat when made in 1993! However, I would think any yacht outfitter of rigger should be able to come up with something.
#it is basically two pieces of ally tube. The bottom of the A is fixed to the deck roughly level with the foot of the mast and come together with a fitting at the top of the A. This is fixed thru the bow roller fitting with a removable pin. The Forestay is fixed to the top of the A again with a removable pin. If it is not too late for you, I will be up at the boat in a weeks time and will take some pics of it all for you. Can you PM me your email address then I can send them to you.


Bregds

Simon

[Haris]

Simon
It will be really great if you could take those photos of how you use your A Frame and post them in your album in the gallery for all of us to see.
We all have troubles with raising and lowering the mast, my mast base broke twice. So to see a system that actually works and you can lift and lower single handed will be amazing.
Thanks