Quick mast gate question

MtHopeBay · #1 (**permalink**) 05-18-2010

I need a mast gate on my mast and have a quick question about installing one. The opening in the mast flares out to open up. I suspect that my mast is not unique and wonder if I need to hammer that down flat or cut it away in order to install a gate.
Thanks,
Mike

Faster · #2 (**permalink**) 05-18-2010

Do you want to simply eliminate the possibility of the slugs falling out, or do you want to be able to slide the slugs below the gate towards the gooseneck?

If the former all you'll need to do is block the slot with a locking slug immediately above the gate. If the latter, a picture would be helpful.

Gene T · #3 (**permalink**) 05-18-2010

I made some for my last boat. I have a bit of information about how I did it on my web site. http://sailors.hollosite.com/Boats/N...ack_gates.html

I took this picture after about 5 years of use.

Gene

MtHopeBay · #4 (**permalink**) 05-18-2010

I will have to get a pic of it. It is the opening where the bolt rope/sail slug goes not a slot like Gene's. I can't find a good pic of one from another boat online, either.

I have a stop which is not what I need in this instance. I need to be able to slide the gooseneck down about to where the opening is.
Thanks,

Faster · #5 (**permalink**) 05-19-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by MtHopeBay

I have a stop which is not what I need in this instance. I need to be able to slide the gooseneck down about to where the opening is.
Thanks,

Are you saying the slot is below the gooseneck/boom? If so that's most unusual.

MtHopeBay · #6 (**permalink**) 05-19-2010

That's how it sits right now But my new sail, made to the original specs (as far as we can tell), looks like it will leave the gooseneck lower. I'm just not sure how low right now. It does look like I'm going to need a mast gate to keep everything together.

mitiempo · #7 (**permalink**) 05-19-2010

I think that is why it is a good idea to measure the actual boat for a new sail rather than order it cut to specs. The gate should be above the boom.

Faster · #8 (**permalink**) 05-19-2010

If you're going to need to stack the slugs low on the boom to get the sail cover on you'll need some kind of gate.

If the sail cover fits with the slugs stacked above the slot, then all you'll need is a sailtrack stop as described before.

I can see from your picture that the gooseneck IS unnaturally high on the mast.. odd given the sail has a B24 logo that appears to match your boat. You should be happier once you get this new main properly set up!

mitiempo · #9 (**permalink**) 05-19-2010

Here's your boat in the first picture. The 2nd picture shows the proper boom orientation with a horizontal boom attached much lower on the mast.

MtHopeBay · #10 (**permalink**) 05-19-2010

Yep. That's what I'm aiming for. I don't know how it's going to look when I get it set up right because she's 75 miles away and I've only spent one day on her with the new sails.

My original question was about the opening in the mast: it's not just a cut out, it flares out and looks like it would need to be bent or cut away to put a gate in it.