Name: Al Paul
email: al.paul@sbcglobal.net
subject:
For the rear mast support while trailering, the most common thing is a board like a 2 X 6 with pintals so that it mounts like the rudder. It should stick up maybe 3' above the deck and have a roller on top so that the mast slides easily fore and aft. The foot of the mast is simply lashed to the pulpit.
As for gin poles, I see no need for an a-frame. Mine is a single strut made from two 2 X 4s screwed together to make a T beam and cut to a length equal to the distance from bow fitting to mast. The bottom has a fork that just fits snugly over the mast at its foot. Those "secondary shrouds" are to prevent the pole from drifting sideways. They attach about 30" up on the pole and tie to the hand rails on each side exactly on a line athwartships through the mast pivot pin. I attach the jib halyard to the tip of the pole and attach the pull line there also. Shackle a good stout block to the bow fitting and run the pull line through it back to one of the genoa winches and winch it right up. Some actually do this while under way to clear a bridge or something but not for me. I raise/lower while on the trailer and stand next to the winch. Then, God forbid, if something gives way the mast won't come down on top of me. I have pictures but don't know how to attach them here.
(Jim, can you suggest a procedure?)
Al Paul
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