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Mast tabernacle project

21K views 32 replies 8 participants last post by  weekdaysailor 
#1 · (Edited)
Anybody tried this? Are there reasons I shouldn't?

Rapidly rising costs of a boom truck, scheduling issues involved and the accumulation of my exploratory designs and models have brought me to the "jump off" point for my mast tabernacle project.

I would like to be able to raise and lower the mast on Tundra Down, our Islander 28, myself. The Norsea 27 DVD makes it look straightforward. I have built a mast base mockup and located the point of rotation on the mast section. I have a cardboard tabernacle mockup. It has been test fitted to the deck. It seems to work as expected. I will add an aluminum tube through the mast with an id of 1" for the ss bolt and cheek plates to each side of the mast base where the bolt will swivel. The tabernacle will be built to the width of the cheek plates. I will shorten the mast to accommodate the added thickness of the tabernacle base.

I am trying to decide how to route mast wiring and am thinking, having it exit the mast rather than be involved in the action of the pivoting base is prudent. I will eliminate the current access plate, it will be in the way of the pivot bolt, and replace it with one that provides an exit for the mast wiring. I would appreciate any ideas about this. Exiting the mast, where? The base of the mast is a busy place.

Shortening the uppers looks like a simple thing thanks to STA-LOK. Adding longer turnbuckles to the chain plates and a couple of shackles isn't rocket science either. I will add two eye pads to give me the purchases I need aft and figure out how to "capture" the base with the mast resting on the pulpit rail. I may need to strengthen the pulpit or build a crutch and brace it to the pulpit. The video of the Norsea 27 shows a nylon trailer roller mounted on the pulpit and that looks like a good solution. Keeping the down, resting, mast from rolling on its side will require some thought. I want this to be a solo operation if possible.

I also need a plan for storing the mast above the deck. We hope to travel the Erie Canal on TD. It will be nice to carry the mast overhead. I also want to use the mast as our winter cover's ridge pole.

Aluminum or ss for the tabernacle? I am thinking 5/8 tempered aluminum?

I am going to spend a day on this this week. Winter is wasting.

It should pay for itself in two storage cycles and free me from the boom truck! Ha!

All suggestions are welcome.

Thanks Down
 
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#2 ·
Down,
My boat, an Etap 26 has mast tabernacle that also contains the mechanism for the retractable keel, and the mast sits on a pivot pin, so it can be easily dropped. I took it down by myself using a simple A frame made from two 8 foot long two by fours simply lashed at the bottom to the toerails. Then a guy to the bow, and the mainsheet with a sling over the spreaders did the lowering. My mainsheet is only four part and a little too short. I got small handheld worm gear puller to put it back up.

I'll note that my mast has a second hole in up much higher, and I realized once it was down that the hole was to to attach it to the tabernacle when in the down position.

Gary H. Lucas
 
#5 · (Edited)
Gary,

I am surprised to learn that the mast rides on the pin. In the only video I have seen of an operating tabernacle (NordSea 27) the pin seemed to function as a pivot and the mast base came to rest directly on the tabernacle's base plate, on the deck. The pin is still in place and I am sure helps secure the base of the mast, fore and aft, but the pin rides in a slot in the tabernacle so it can move up as the leading edge of the base of the mast (partially cut away to reduce this radius) rotates through the 90 degree sweep as it rises. I did not understand that in the vertical position the load was entirely on the pin.

Could you share a photograph of your mast's base?

Down
 
#6 ·
Down,
As I said the pin is very hefty, it would easily support the entire boat without bending!

I don't currently have a photo of the tabernacle, and I've been in California for most of the past month. However as soon as I make it home I'll get a picture. Might be a couple of weeks yet.

Gary H. Lucas
 
#8 ·
Progress!

The starting point for this project was and is an excellent DVD produced by Ed and Ellen Zacko titled, "How to Raise Your Mast Yourself". Ellen and Ed Zacko Sail around the world in the Lyle Hess designed NorSea 27 Entr'acte. Their sailing adventures are an inspiration. I have contacted them directly and they have answered all my questions more thoroughly than I could have hoped.

Here are "details" they have shared in response to my questions:

1/4" aluminum plate for the tabernacle
1/2" ss pin
Their mast does not ride on pin but sits on its base on the tabernacle. A Pin supported mast would be better if maintaining sailing tension while lowering was important. It is not one of my requirements
Wiring exits mast about a foot off the deck
Wiring couplers are Bulgin Buccaneer Connectors

Ed elaborated on many other considerations, too. He does a very through job of explaining how it works in the DVD.

Buy iinformative and entertaining Zacko DVDs - read below to learn more

Thanks to Ellen and Ed and all my friends at Sailnet I have run out of excuses to delay making the necessary hardware and adding cheek plates and a pin location to the mast. Learning a CAD program would be helpful I suppose so I could just send a file to my fabricator! It never ends!

If we get the mast and the tabernacle ready and installed changing the rigging will happen after stepping. That means the first test of the system will be taking the mast down before haul out. That will be a little anxious!

Down
 
#9 ·
O.K., I've not done a mast that size but just thinking about it, I wonder if you should measure from the mast hinge location to the transom (assuming you will lower to the stern, i. e., hinge is towards the rear), and compare that measurement to the half way point on the mast.

In other words, how far beyond the end of the boat will the balance point of the mast be. If the balance point is beyond the end of the boat, you must push down at the hinge end hard enough to counterbalance the mast and relieve the pressure on the hinge pin. That downward pressure will be added to the weight of the mast at the rear support point. Try to make sure that your support point is strong enough and that you are able to put enough downward force to balance the short end of the mast at the hinge. In other words, have help the first time.

I'm not being discouraging, I think it's a great idea. I just want it to work, and want you to be prepared. How will you support the mast when it comes down, will you be on land or water? Let us know how it goes!
 
#10 ·
Sky,

I appreciate your observation. I will be lowering the mast forward, using the boom as a "lever". It will overhang the bow rail and will be top heavy requiring a support at the bow rail and a "capture" device at the mast step to hold the base down as it gets moved ( rolled I hope ) aft. I have a Rhodes 22, also, which gives me a little experience with a small tabernacle. This one will be a bigger challenge. I will share the design if it all works and I have high expectations.

Down
 
#11 · (Edited)
Forward dropping will likely make the balance point even further off the end of the boat. As a cheap backup, here is an idea you might consider if you are on land. Take three poles and lash them together in a tripod which you would stand on the ground to help hold up the overhanging mast end when inserting and removing the hinge pin. The tripod could be way out near the end, where it would only carry half the weight of the mast, or in closer to relieve more weight at the hinge. It would avoid a crushing weight at the bow pulpit.

I use tripods all the time, for support or lifting (like a well cover). There is a tripod holding up the ridge over one of my tarped in sailboats right now. I cut the size poles I need in the woods, and only buy some rope. Here is how I lash the tripod, it never slips (This actually is "an old Indian trick"!):

Lay two poles on the ground, side by side, touching. Take the third pole and make a large inverted "V" with the top end of the third pole crossing over the top ends of the two side by side poles. The top single pole has it's base to the right side, the double poles have their bases to the left side, when standing between them looking at the top of the inverted "V". Leave a bit of the poles sticking up beyond the crossing point. Tie the poles tightly together with a short, smallish diameter rope at the crossing point. Then take a long rope and tie that over the small rope, also binding the poles together, leaving a long end free (two half hitches).

Now stand the inverted "V" up, using the free end of the long rope to help pull it up, and swing the outermost pole of the two away from you. This opens the tripod, tightens the lashing, and interlocks the poles.

You can hang on the long rope for lifting, or rest the mast on the intersection of the poles at the top. By bringing the pole bases in or out, you can fine tune the height of the intersection. For major adjustment just re-lash the poles higher or lower.

If you are on pavement (I never am) you might need to tie the bases of the poles together at the correct spread, so they don't slip.

I can't visualize your "capture device" at the tabernacle, could you explain it a bit more? Thanks!
 
#12 ·
Sky,

I have given some thought to how to manage the mast but that system is still "on the drawing board". I expect to mount a crutch at the bow. It will be braced to the bow rail and perhaps the chain plate. It will have a nylon roller to support the mast. How high it will extend is still a question. It could easily be adjustable. There will be an upward moment at the tabernacle and the mast will want to roll on its side. I can probably prevent the roll at the bow crutch but will need to be able to lift the mast to clear the steaming light so roll control would be good to have at the tabernacle end at least at the "capture". The mast will get rolled to the stern where it will be supported by a stern crutch. This stern "crutch" will be able to keep the mast from rolling on its side while it is riding above the deck. The sketches I have of a "device" at the tabernacle are simply two pieces of 1/4" x 2 aluminum bar, their actual length is yet to be determined, with 3/8" bolts connecting them at each end. One end of this pair is bolted together through the slot in the tabernacle under the mast after the mast is resting on the bow crutch but before the mast bolt is released. The other end of the pair is bolted together with a nylon roller between them. This roller is above the mast. I might use 2 pair of bars and two rollers to form a sort of triangle with the rollers above the mast. When the mast bolt is released the mast base would rise and be "captured" by the rollers above it. The aluminum bar / rollers would store easily.

It is more complicated than that. Being able to adjust the bow crutch might help when moving the mast aft?

Tinker, tinker.

What do you think?

Down
 
#13 · (Edited)
Of course, I haven't seen the DVD I think you mentioned at the start of this thread. I'm just going by the "pictures in my head". But what those pictures show me is that the pressure on the hinge pin will jam it in place. If you could remove the pressure it would just slide right out. If you drive it out the mast will fly up and add momentum to the already crushing weight at the bow pulpit. You know how leverage works, pipe over the wrench handle, or even a nut cracker. With the length of your mast if a bird landed on the end it could raise a human on the short end. I'd prefer you to be in total control at all times, able to stop and clear lines or just pause and think.

If you think the tripod sounds too complicated (it's really quite easy when you are doing it, harder to explain or understand than do) you might at least consider a vertical support from the ground lifting the weight of the mast. The tripod can't tip over, but the vertical pole might work if the bow support is rigid.

On my (other) boat I am using the mast for a ridge for the large tarp, set up high enough to work under. I just took a piece of cardboard and cut and scribed and fit 'till I got a good fit around the mast (sail track down). I then transfered this curve to a piece of wood, and hacked it out. This cut out is on top of the vertical wooden support (2x6 or 2x8 I think) and holds the mast from rotating. Fit a cut out on the vertical support I'm saying is not as good as the tripod, and you can support the mast without it twisting on you.

Nothing much to lose, even if it's just a back up. But that leverage is a killer, so be safe. I used to do lots of ladder work in Portland, I can tell you that if you are short of the balance point there is no limit to the apparent weight.

Remember Murphy, just at the critical moment a bird will land on the end, a big gust of wind will come up, and you will slip on a banana peel. :rolleyes:

Edit: Maybe you can figure the amount of weight it would take to balance the short end. And maybe your bow support will be substantial. And maybe you are a big heavy guy. In that case, you can just sit on the mast to unbind the hinge pin, and let it slowly up.
 
#14 ·
Sky's absolutely correct.. the leverage exerted by the mast will be huge, but it's sneaky.. straight up it may be/seem manageable, but if the stick gets out of plumb in either direction you'll have a hell of a time keeping it from going on its own.. esp if it gets out of line with your tackle.. I reckon out of control it may well do your tabernacle in on the way down.

There are systems and methods.. I think they all provide some means of limiting lateral wander as the mast is lowered.. Lowering forward leaves you the minimum advantage and working area.. lowering aft would seem a better idea.. wider platform and longer distance for reduced leverage of the overhang.

Best of luck and work safely!! Anyone trying to be a hero and 'catch' a toppling mast is going to be in for a fair bit of hurt...
 
#15 ·
I also strongly prefer the lowering the mast towards the stern. I would not do it forward unless some major structure made it impossible to go aft. I'm working at lowering a skylight base and making the light removable so that I can lower mine to the rear - well, actually raise it since I've never had it up. I brought a snow shovel to dig out the boat when I picked it up, and the snow is only now melting away from it.
 
#16 ·
There is no doubt that lateral movement must be restricted as the mast comes forward. The video I mentioned earlier does a very through job of showing how to rig fixed lines to control it. My weight will be sufficient to counter the upward moment of the base of the mast when it comes to rest on the bow crutch. Having the height of that crutch adjustable is another way of adjusting that force a little. We will see.

Ed Zacko's story of building his rig in a boat yard while being watched and having the yard express amazement when it worked, gives me hope. His video is what it took for me to fully understand how it is done.

Down
 
#18 · (Edited)
The screen shots were great, thanks. The tabernacles I've seen have without exception had the hinge pin on one end or the other of the base. The mast has a flat base bolted to it with the matching hinge on one end. When the mast is raised it sits squarely on the base, the hinge only keeps it form skidding around, the heavy weight is borne on the bottom plate and transferred down through the compression post.

A single centered pin will carry the full weight of mast, stays, and wind. An enormous load. Not saying it won't work, but it simply cannot be even remotely as strong, and I see no point in doing it that way.

Just curious, how did you figure that your weight will be adequate? I'd think you would need to know the actual weight of the mast, plus the distribution of that weight (spreaders, lights, mast head, etc.), and then figure the effect of leverage by measuring from hinge to support at the bow.

Maybe I'm overly cautious, but when dealing with heavy stuff it pays to be cautious. I've raised buildings and large beams and etc., I've seen that things can go wrong and careful thought prevents problems, damage, and injury.

When I purchased my 24 ft. Seafarer it was on stands. I drove to the boat with a plan, lumber I'd sawed out from pine trees or had laying about, jacks and levers etc. plus the almighty chainsaw. I too had people watching as I proceeded to cut the timbers and shape by eye (and cardboard template) and finally moved the 4000 lb. boat onto my equipment trailer, entirely by myself a long ways from home. They were calling me McGyver (spelling? I've heard it a lot but don't watch TV) and were amazed. I had no problems or scary moments, it went smoothly because I visualized it in my mind and planned for every problem I could "see". I didn't want to waste money paying someone else to move it, and like independance.

I'm merely trying to offer insights, what you choose is fine with me, no pressure. And I hope all goes well.



Edit: Perhaps your hinge pin can move in a slot and allow the mast base to settle onto the bottom plate? I'd look into buying a commercial tabernacle and bolting it on. Proven performance on a huge number of boats. Phone call just when I hit submit kept me from looking over my post right away.
 
#19 ·
In the case of those screen shots, the cabin profile pretty much negated an 'aft' drop without a hugely cumbersome tabernacle. The advantage I can see, though, is that the boom is a longer lever and more robust connection than any gin pole or spinn pole might be used to support an aft drop.

The other complication to this (and any system relying on athwartship support) is that ideally the center of rotation for both the mast pin and the supporting rigging ("A" in the diagram above) should be in line. Does he have shrouds attached to rigid 'tall' chainplates? or is he using the stanchion as a temporary one? it's not clear on the sketch.

Anyhow mechanically it should work... I just like the idea of being able to catch the rig in the cockpit rather than forward... Hope it all goes well, can certainly see the desire to avoid annual crane rentals and delays.
 
#20 ·
Faster,

"The other complication to this (and any system relying on athwartship support) is that ideally the center of rotation for both the mast pin and the supporting rigging ("A" in the diagram above) should be in line. Does he have shrouds attached to rigid 'tall' chainplates? or is he using the stanchion as a temporary one? it's not clear on the sketch."

You are correct. The most important consideration when locating the mast pin and the swivel point in the upper is that they be as close to perfectly in line as possible. He uses a clever set of nesting shackles on a tall jaw / jaw turnbuckle. It allows the shackles to remain as permanent parts of the rig and it only requires connecting the two A lines which also have turnbuckle ends for adjustment. If you look very closely at the A lines you will see a triangle plate connecting it to the upper and the chain plate. That is another way to hook them up.

Getting it close enough to finalize vertical alignment with the turnbuckle won't be hard. That will be a function of the turnbuckle's length, the fittings and where I cut the upper. I have located the line between the two upper chain plates across the deck and with a model of the base of my mast on the deck have the fore and aft measurement on the side of the mast for the pin. Now I just have to pick a height off the base of the tabernacle for the hole. I am thinking it will be centered at a height equal to the width of the mast which is 3 3/4". I will have a couple of 1/4" cheek plates welded onto the outside of the base of the mast, transfer the measurements and drill a couple of holes. That will take a bit of care but I have a portable drill press I can use. I will install a compression tube that will carry a 1/2" pin. Cutting the leading edge of the base away will decrease the vertical travel as the mast rotates through 90 degrees and reduce the effort required a bit. I hope to step the mast onto the tabernacle with a boom truck this next launch. The rigging mods happen after the mast is up. It will be interesting.

I can certainly attach a line over the mast's base to manage any upward moment. I don't have the bow pulpit the Nord'Sea enjoys.

Down
 
#21 ·
I've done a bit of research on these rigs in the past, intending to eventually put one together. The rig you're describing is one that is apparently used a lot in Europe. The crucial component, as you described is the pivot point of mast/shroud alignment. It seems to me that a triangular s.s. piece permanently inserted in the main shroud, with the third hole exactly at the level of the mast pivot and offset enough to clear when the mast is vertical, would do the job, allowing a pivot to take place without bending the wire; maybe just a piece of 1/4" X 2" flat stock shaped into a triangle with two holes at the top. This would keep the pivot lengths of the shrouds and the lever shrouds the same with the only difference being the lateral movement which should be inconsequential. The mast hinge would have to be very sturdily anchored because there is a great deal of upward force built up at that point. Keeping the yoke of the lever right behind the pivot point would also seem to be important.
 
#22 ·
The crucial component, as you described is the pivot point of mast/shroud alignment. It seems to me that a triangular s.s. piece permanently inserted in the main shroud, with the third hole exactly at the level of the mast pivot and offset enough to clear when the mast is vertical, would do the job
Yes! The diagram here actually shows a "triangle plate" being used exactly as you suggest. On the video there are two different boats used, one with a triangle plate and Ed's with a pair of nesting shackles. The nesting shackles are my druthers.

I wish I could share the video. If you are serious about doing this at some point it is well worth the price. Even if you just find this thread interesting it might be worth watching. It looks so straightforward I am surprised more boats in the 30' range don't do it. It will be so convenient to decide when the mast comes down and be able to store it on deck in an hour or so. Repairs, canal transit, storm prep and who knows, there is a trailer for the Islander 28 and I could store it in the yard. I have some "hardware" to build but nothing that is complex. It isn't even a thruhull install in complexity and will save us about $200.00 each way for a boom truck.

I am a little concerned about how to manage the "lever" extending out over the bow. I want to keep the solution as simple as possible. With the boom as a lever I wonder how the base could be un pinned and hauled aft while resting on the bow crutch's roller. I have a couple of ideas. It has to be done without using supports from land. How about a second crutch in the Avon? Ha! I will work on it next.

Thanks for all the helpful replies. These discussions are great.

Down
 
#25 · (Edited)
Hummm. interesting thread. On my 27 Buccaneer I lower the mast via the trailer's high mounted winch lowering to the aft and onto a temp cradle at the stern. It works but then I have to un-pin the base and carry the mast forward for stowing.

I now have a 30 ft Seafarer I will be trailering (yea I can) but it's mast is much longer and heavier than my 27's. I'd like to investigate folding options where it folds down with the base 1/3 going forward and the upper 2/3 pivoting aft... and stay fully stayed.

I'm getting old enough that a "push button mast raising and lowing system" is starting to look pretty attractive. ;)

Has anyone ever seen such a system? Cables?, hydraulics?, compressed air? What are those million dollar toys doing? They are push button everything aren't they? If some factory can design and build something I can too.

No I am not dreaming, and have a full shop with machine tools too. I can design/build almost anything that doesn't require hot casting or aluminum welding. I don't have the tools/equipment for that (well yet anyway).

Yea, I'm for real...

Dave
 
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#26 ·
It is apparently much more common in other countries. I am also very surprised more people don't do it here being that most yards charge astronomical prices for this simple operation. I guess there are just lots of helpless people here with more money than mechanical ability. Didn't they used to call this kind of thing "Yankee Ingenuity?"
Yea, my kind of statement! Good job!

Dave
 
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#27 ·
Just to ad a little credibility to my concept (as I'm sure at least some of you are saying its a fools pipe dream).

I have lateral force "in motion" stability system worked out for the whole traverse from full up to full down... even in a worse case cross wind.

I have the initial pivot movement mast elongation problem worked out so as to not un-stay.

Leaning toward weather protected simple 12vt gear reduced motors and cabling systems... with manual hand crank backups. Conforms to the KISS rule. But hydraulics are not out of the question either yet.

Getting closer on concepts... time to get the old drafting table uncovered and start drawing it out and do the math. I prefer it over my CAD Program actually.

Yea...

Dave
 
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#30 ·
Well , did it work ? these posts were in 2008 , 4 years ago, I have a Bristol 26 , I'd like to be able to run down some inland rivers and will need to step my mast to do so . So did it work ????
Don
If your were asking me, I joined in 08 but only posted that 3 weeks ago.

Finished the purchase arrangements on the Seafarer 30, had it pulled and placed the hard... now its get the trailer ready and haul it home. Turns out the previous owner thought he had a gold plated boat... thinks its worth 10k or so with only new ports and a waterpump...Needs a WHOLE lot more that that to get to that value. I'm in it for 4300 which upon a deeper inspection is likely a bit high, but its a done deal, plus all kinds of other costs to get it pulled... get the 27 off my trailer and fee it up, and go to Baltimore and haul the 30 home to Ohio. But I do like the boat, has the features I wanted... I'll make it feel better, but it will take more than I was anticipating when I did the eBay bid (yea, I know better too, but some wild hairs cloud the brain now and then... its incorporated into the XY chromosome thing... so says my wife, who is seldom wrong about such things BTW. We discussed it and she left it to me. Its my one and only retirement toy in a few years).

Dave
 
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