[casey1999]

I plan to take my 43 foot mast down to re-rig the boat and to paint the mast. Would like to move the mast to my house for the work. House is about 5 miles from the boat.

How do you move a 40 foot mast that might weigh 300 lbs without hiring a semi?

 

[azguy]

I guess you could get a 20 ft trailer build a stand and have the mast positioned both over your trailer and over the roof of you truck, that would be about 30-35 feet and move it at 3am with a chase vehicle so nobody notices.

 

[TomMaine]

Masts quite a bit longer and heavier are moved around here on full sized PU trucks with heavy racks. Standard building contractor sort mostly, that have a forward cross bar extended over the cab.

Lashed down and with a flag on each end, I'd do the 5 miles no problem.

If you're concerned, have friends in vehicles in front and back, with flashers on.

This is how my 50' heavy spruce spar is moved to storage, down a highway, 5 miles away.

 

[casey1999]

Masts quite a bit longer and heavier are moved around here on full sized PU trucks with heavy racks. Standard building contractor sort mostly, that have a forward cross bar extended over the cab.

Lashed down and with a flag on each end, I'd do the 5 miles no problem.

If you're concerned, have friends in vehicles in front and back, with flashers on.

This is how my 50' heavy spruce spar is moved to storage, down a highway, 5 miles away.

I could probably arrange the pick-up with rack as you describe. I was concerned about the long overhangs maybe permanently bending the mast. Is that a valid concern?

 

[Delta-T]

Four things:
1. I just posted in Low buck projects on how to build a 60' inclosed tarp space in my back yard to do the same for my mast 12 years ago.

2. If you have spreader lights, I used washer machine SS braided water connectors as wiring conduit from the mast to the lights. I have done this twice in the last 38 years and holds up great.

3. I think your mast is more like 150 to 200 lbs, my 42' mast I could pick by myself. Built in 1969, I would assume newer masts would be lighter.

4. I had more like a 20 mile hike home. I don't think it is legal keep in mind, I believe short of hiring someone to move it for you or hiring a police escort or having the proper trailer to carry... Traveling at 4 am, I used a friends pickup truck with a rack that extended over the cab, about 20' long support, then strapped a 40' aluminum ladder to the rack and the mast to the ladder. About 10' of overhang over the truck length front and back, not too bad. On the return trip I used a car carrier trailer, the ladder and a ropes with a center pole to hold the ends up like bridge supports. Again, at 4 am. No issues.

 

[GeorgeB]

Do you have access to a truck with a front bumper mounted pipe rack? You might be able to move the mast without warping it if the overhangs are ten feet or less. The more important thing is to check to see if you need trip permits and flag cars (you will probably need two). I know this because I got a ticket when I moved my mast from the boat yard to the marina (less than two miles) and an Oakland Ca. motorcycle cop happened to spot me.

 

[casey1999]

Do you have access to a truck with a front bumper mounted pipe rack? You might be able to move the mast without warping it if the overhangs are ten feet or less. The more important thing is to check to see if you need trip permits and flag cars (you will probably need two). I know this because I got a ticket when I moved my mast from the boat yard to the marina (less than two miles) and an Oakland Ca. motorcycle cop happened to spot me.

Did you get a ticket? I'd have to check with some local contractors to see what trucks they have.

The other option I could look into is the canoe clubs here. That have some nice long trailers for the outrigger canoes. I could donate some money to the club in return form moving my mast.

 

[TomMaine]

I could probably arrange the pick-up with rack as you describe. I was concerned about the long overhangs maybe permanently bending the mast. Is that a valid concern?

With a full sized lumber carrying rack, the support of the spar should be plenty. You'll go slowly and limit bouncing. I've never heard of a problem with several feet longer overhangs. Some boat movers and storers have the rack extended forward to the bumber, with uprights welded for 3 stations. On full sized PU's, I've seen spars at least 60' long going down the road.

Around here with so many boats stored inland, masts on trucks are pretty common. I'm sure it's not legal, but in Maine, we do things like this, and then apologize, if you get caught.

 

[GeorgeB]

You bet! This was in the early 1980's when $175 really ment something. I tried to reason with the cop, but being a "yacht" owner in Oakland, enough said.

 

[SOVT]

Here is how I transported my (wood) 40' main and slightly smaller mizzen. There are two turntables, one on the trailer support and one on the lumber rack padded with carpet. The masts were solidly strapped to the trailer support and loosely strapped down to the lumber rack. this allowed for some fore and aft movement as the vehicle made corners. The trailer is 12'.

In the 200 mile move we passed several highway cops and didn't get a second look from them.

It doesn't look like the embedding is going to work. Look at photo 135 in the web album below.

 

[benesailor]

You bet! This was in the early 1980's when $175 really ment something. I tried to reason with the cop, but being a "yacht" owner in Oakland, enough said.

Thurston,
You should have had the skipper move it for you.... and it is california..

 

[GeorgeB]

What I really needed was for the professor to build me a helicopter out of coconuts and fly it over!

 

[miatapaul]

well you could contact U-Ship sounds like this could make a great episode for Shipping Wars! Some yahoo shows up with a Toyota pick up truck! Make sure to ask for insurance!

 

[casey1999]

well you could contact U-Ship sounds like this could make a great episode for Shipping Wars! Some yahoo shows up with a Toyota pick up truck! Make sure to ask for insurance!

Quite a few marines and army men and women here on Oahu. I was thinking put an add on Craig's List: A few good men and women wanted for a 5 mile walk carrying a 43 foot spar- Keg of beer waiting at finish line. If I could get 10 takers, that would only be less than 30 lbs each and take say 1 hour.

 

[Capt Len]

Throw a mattress on the cab of a pick up and an A frame on the towed boat trailer. Flag the overhanging end and Tally Ho.I've often moved 50 ft masts (trees) by lashing them to a boat trailer and the butt end in the trunk of my old Chev ;chained to the bumper hitch Da fuzz could be a problem though.

 

[hellosailor]

Lad, have ye never done a caber toss ?!

One good heave, and she's home.

Lacking that, one might make a discrete inquiry as to the legal maximum length for driving it on the road, since 45' is legal in many states, and transporting it in daylight is probably safest. If you have a volunteer fire department....you might be able to make a donation and get it hauled on the truck, complete with able-bodied help. If not, see how long a truck you can get so it is supported. Add a follower....maybe ask for an escort, if the length is legal.

This is why masts are often cut and spliced, even for new boats.

 

[mad_machine]

you could hire a moving company.. -any- moving company with a 26 foot box truck. Strap it to the roof of the box and a 40 foot mast would only overhang about 10 feet (cabs on trucks are a good 10+ feet in length.)

Or get a box truck from Uhaul

 

[benesailor]

Way to much thought being put into this......

 

[tommays]

35' was pushing it on the of the truck BUT i have done it many times

A telephone pole type jury rig trailer is a much better way to go

 

[Squidd]

I'd just tie it on top the boat and drag the whole boat home...