Hinged Mast

yesterdayswine · #1 (**permalink**) 04-23-2003

I sail an old 19 ft lightning. The mast was broke and repaired with a pvc pipe used as an internal sleeve. It works fine. The break is above the deck. The mast goes through a hole in the deck (loosely) and attaches to the floor. I would like to hinge the mast at the break so I can step it myself. Does anyone see any safety or performance problems with this? I would spend much more time on the water if could go sail without having to find someone to help me with the mast all the time.
Thanks

Jeff_H · #2 (**permalink**) 04-24-2003

That ''hinge'' that you are describing is called a ''tabernacle'' on a boat. It needs to be designed to be able to take the sizeable side loads that occur above the deck. Tabernacles are more difficult to engineer than simple hinged mast steps that occur right at the deck and where the deck itself can take the side loads of the mast.

BTW, I am amazed that a PVC sleeve was enough to repair a broken mast. PVC has a small fraction of the strength of aluminum or wood.

Jeff

yesterdayswine · #3 (**permalink**) 04-24-2003

Tabernacle...another new sailing term to remember. I can''t wait to use it when I have someone else on board. Yep, a pvc sleeve. I plan on building the tabernacle with a sleeve the same length and using bushings & close tolarence pins for the pivot & lock. Sniffed around the docks last year but couldn''t find any boats with such a device. Got nothing to loose I guess.
Thanks for the response-