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Chris Z
Captain

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452 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/12/2009 : 07:18:32

I am looking to cover my boat this week and need some help with a way to get the mast up higher in the front to help in the angle of the tarp. I need something to raise the mast up and support the furler. the furler hangs over about another foot or so.

I built a wood frame that sets on the bow pulpit, however it just isn't high enough.

Chris Z.
Water Warrior
1982 Force 5

Former Owner Blown Away - C25

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 10/12/2009 : 07:43:13

How high do you need to go? 1.Elevate the wood frame by making a riser for it. 2.Try one of those plastic foldable saw horses. They're not terribly expensive.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 10/12/2009 : 07:46:28

I have a set of stands that hold the mast. One is in the cockpit that provides standing headroom the other is on the foredeck tall enough to make the mast level and allow for crawl space under the tarp. They're made from 4"x4" pressure treated posts with 1"x4" boards at the top forming a cradle to hold the mast. At the base they have 1"x4"s at right angles to stabilize the posts and allow them to stand. A little scrap carpeting on the bottom provides scratch protection for the gelcoat. The mast forms a ridge beam for my tarp "roof".

I use a web of 1/8" cordage stretching from lifeline, over the mast to the other side and back to support the tarp.

I'm hopefully going to cover the boat this weekend. If I remember, I'll try to get photos.

BTW, I can't take credit for this, they came with the boat when I bought her.

Edited by - John Russell on 10/12/2009 07:48:26

Kip C
Navigator

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USA
243 Posts

Response Posted - 10/12/2009 : 13:55:49

Chris,
My storage method is similar to John's. I used a couple of 2x6x8 and a 2x4x10 to make the supports. The stern support is 6', the bow is 4' and the middle is around 2 1/2 ft. I also have supports for transporting the boat that came with it. It dawned on me today when I was installing the storage supports, that 1 set could do both duties. The cross braces could be used to transport the boat and the 2x6 storage support installed when storing the boat. The stern support could also be used to raise/catch the mast. Hope the pictures help explain.

Edited by - on

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 10/12/2009 : 18:16:35

WELL DONE !

Edited by - on

Chris Z
Captain

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452 Posts

Response Posted - 10/13/2009 : 04:41:36

Kip and John,

Thanks for the pictures and advise on your setups. I think this is the best way to get the height and shouldn't have any problem with snow catching.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 10/13/2009 : 12:50:16

Kip, that is a great setup!

Chris, be sure that the tarp has support under it (we use ropes to go back and forth from the lifeline, around the mast and to the opposite lifeline) so that there are no "flat/soft" spots where rain or snow can build up on the tarp. Same idea as John's webbing. Once water pools it stretches the cover down, the pool gets bigger, etc. I have seen boats tilt backwards on their trailers due to the weight of water trapped in tarp pools. Keep the tarp taut.

For the furler we use a 6' length of 2X2. We strap it to the mast for a few feet and to the furler up to the drum. That keeps it straight and solid. We then cover the end of the furler and drum with a lawn bag tucked uder the tarp. Also, prior to lowerng the mast we put a ski cap on the furler drum so that it doesn't bang into things and scratch the boat.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 10/13/2009 12:55:42

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 10/13/2009 : 13:50:09

Randy makes an important point. I tried a PVC pipe frame a couple of years ago and that was a mistake. Probably because I didn't make a very good frame. I went out to the boat one day in January and discovered that the tarp had collapsed and I had 4 inches of ice over 8 or 10 inches of water in the cockpit. The tarp had collapsed and acted like a pool liner preventing water from pouring off the open transom. Since I live about an hour away, I don't go to the boat very often in the winter. I'm glad I did that day or I might have found a solid foot of ice in my cockpit a week later.

Edited by - on

Kip C
Navigator

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USA
243 Posts

Response Posted - 10/13/2009 : 14:34:15

As one who tends to over think and do things, I run the rope thru swim noodles over the mast and cut the noodles down the middle to snap them over the life lines and stantions. All this over kill, gives the tarp a smooth surface to lay against and helps it last longer. At least that's what I keep telling myself! I easily get three winters out of a silver/green tarp. I've also started tying the bottom of the cover so that it's as snug againt the hull as possible, so that the cover doesn't catch the wind as easily.

Edited by - Kip C on 10/13/2009 14:40:18

HeelinPatrick
Navigator

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USA
102 Posts

Response Posted - 10/14/2009 : 13:31:18

Kip, any problems with the additional wind load created by raising the mast that much higher? I'm just thinking a windy day would catch more surface area of the tarp, and maybe damage your mast supports?

Edited by - on

panhead1948
Captain

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345 Posts

Response Posted - 10/14/2009 : 21:54:02

Well my mast sits on the bow pulpit and is raised at the stern. I bought some black PVC pipe that is flexible and I slide it over the stanchions. It looks like a big covered wagon but it works.

Edited by - on

Kip C
Navigator

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USA
243 Posts

Response Posted - 10/15/2009 : 08:44:49

Patrick,
I've not had any problems. The cross pieces are notched to fit over the pullpits and then I use a dock line to tie them and the mast down. The bottom of the support, at the bow, fits between the bases of the pulpit and the back of the anchor roller. The bottom of the stern support fits in the trowl in the back where the sculpers are.

Edited by - on

cat25
Navigator

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USA
140 Posts

Response Posted - 10/15/2009 : 11:10:45

I have a 1990 tr/wk #6022 that i constructed a pvc frame to hold up the tarp. There was an article in Good old boat magazine with pictures etc. The frame is not glud together and works great. This year i will keep the mast up and use the frame previous years i took the mast down. You could go to good old boat website and probably get the article. Check it out ken

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4303 Posts

Response Posted - 10/15/2009 : 17:35:58

Kip - SR/WK - #6021
Ken - TR/WK - #6022

Cool!

Edited by - on

Kip C
Navigator

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USA
243 Posts

Response Posted - 10/16/2009 : 06:10:14

Gary,
Your right, that is cool! 6022 has covered some miles the last few years. At one point, it sailed at Rocky Fork, a nearby lake. Ken, is she still called Providence?

Edited by - on

cat25
Navigator

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USA
140 Posts

Response Posted - 10/17/2009 : 01:46:17

Kip 6022 did not have a name when I purchased her. Picked 6022 up in michigan. Trailored the boat to Candlewood lake NY. The trip was 640 miles and uneventful.That was the home port for two years. Then I trailored 6022 to stamford ct. on the long island sound the new home port where shes been for the last two years. Still has no name. Great boat. Tr/wk Ken

Edited by - on

Kip C
Navigator

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USA
243 Posts

Response Posted - 10/17/2009 : 08:02:46

Wow! Scary how time flies. 6022 must have gone to Michigan when the owner, near Cincinnati, sold her.
Just found this:

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.com/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=8875&SearchTerms=1990

Edited by - Kip C on 10/17/2009 08:11:25

cayugaboater
1st Mate

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50 Posts

Response Posted - 10/17/2009 : 20:14:56

Randy, what size tarp is that silver tarp covering your boat?

Edited by - on

KiteKraemer
Navigator

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191 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2009 : 20:15:22

I don't know about randy's but mine is 20 x 30. I used nautiducks technique last year.
This year I went under the lifelines and will post a pic. I did have to cut the tarp, but
the angle is way better. I found precip and snow would build up between the lifelines and mast.

Edited by - on

tbosch
Navigator

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163 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2009 : 11:23:21

I would hesitate to use the mast as a ridge pole. I did this the first off season I owned the boat and I had a scare. I ended up with some pooling. The first thing I was worried about was damage to the stanchions since I used them and the lifelines for lines tied back and forth across the mast. The mast was supported fore, aft and at the middle. When I got everything unwrapped the mast had a slight 'S' shape to it. My heart sunk. After everything was unstrung and allowed to settle the mast looked fine but it was a scary sight to begin with.

I built a pvc frame, as have others. Here is a thread from last year. A couple of posts have pictures. Mine is about 2/3 of the way down the page. When I took the frame down this spring I labeled all of the pieces. It took me about an hour yesterday to reassemble the frame. I should get quite a few years out of it.
http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=18727

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 10/20/2009 : 12:19:36

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by cayugaboater
 Randy, what size tarp is that silver tarp covering your boat?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

20X30 with the 30 going length-wise. We use the rope criss-cross method from lifelines over the mast. We've never had pooling of rain or snow. I use high quality bungees to hold the tarp down and connect the bungees to the outside components of the trailer so the tarp is not against the hull. The tarp goes straight down from the rubrail. This stops mildew from forming against the hull or the tarp abrading the hull.

KiteKraemer I'd like to see your photo of the new setup.

Edited by - on

KiteKraemer
Navigator

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191 Posts

Response Posted - 10/20/2009 : 23:44:14

Will do. Looks like my pics from last yr got deleted.
I'll try to find them, but not looking good.

Anyhoo-- the tarp went over the lifelines last yr.
like your boat.
Except the mast was sitting
on the bow pulpit and the stern pulpit, with a few
fenders on top of the pop top; under the mast so the mast wouldn't
bend. I put about 1-2 ft. worth of foam over the
mast (rolled up) in 4 places from stern to bow,
and still freezing rain and snow piled up
about 6-8 inches. Thought it was gonna bend the stantions.
took me a hammer and a mallet to the underside of the
tarp, at 11pm at night. The boat is in a yard.

So this year, I cut slits in the tarp and went under the
lifelines. I will post pics!

I took last years tarp' fit and cut it. Thought it was good.
Then when it had rained,
I went down to take a look, holy crap-- that tarp had more leaks than
swiss cheese. I bought a new one (el cheapo/harbor freight) and used the template of the old one. Fit pretty good. Also took the TV off, totally cleaned and drained the water tank, and even siphoned the crapper (beyond what the marina sucker could do). She's in great shape for the winter. Still need to grab the battery.

I just wish summer wouldn't end.

Edited by - KiteKraemer on 10/21/2009 00:08:14

HeelinPatrick
Navigator

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USA
102 Posts

Response Posted - 10/21/2009 : 08:33:49

I just rigged a stern mast post myself last nite, to raise the mast to allow the tarp to drain. I took a 2 x 8, and attached pintle like pins, and hung it from the grundeons (sp?). It goes up thru the stern pulpit, and close enough to tightly bungee it to the rail. And I plan to give it lateral support via lines running port and stern to the pulpit. (The 2 x 8 is flat side against the stern, such that if it extended into the water, would slow the boat down, not act like a rudder.) I also plan on doing a post support at the mast step, but something simple. And plan to run some line back and forth over the mast to keep the tarp from pooling.

I thought a while about how to do the stern mast post (after seeing Kip's photos), and the grudeons and the two stern posts of the pulpit seem to be the strongest point in the rear of the boat, at least my older boat. My biggest fear was windload straining and cracking something, but think this will be strong enough. I also thought about bringing the post down into the cockpit, but figured there would likely be water in there, and didn't want it to rot the support. Also, this rig will double as a mast support when raising/lowering the mast.

Anyhow, that's what I came up with.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 10/21/2009 : 09:11:22

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by HeelinPatrick
 ...I also thought about bringing the post down into the cockpit, but figured there would likely be water in there, and didn't want it to rot the support...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I'll put my money on a pressure-treated 2x8 lasting longer than you will--water or no water. I'd put it on a flat board to spread the weight on the cockpit sole a little... That brings up a thought I had: The weight of the mast and snow plus the tension on the tarp could be a lot of load on the gudgeons. I'm thinking that something like a 2x4 block bolted to the 2x8 so that the bock sits on top of the transom, taking most of the weight, might relieve the gudgeons. They would still be useful for keeping everything in position.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 10/21/2009 09:12:34

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 10/21/2009 : 11:10:42

This topic gets hashed over every fall and is well documented in the archives for anyone needing additonal ideas.

I have been using the mast as a ridge pole with 1x3 pine stringers from the mast to the base of each staunchen for over 20 years. These are tied to the mast and stanchian using 1/4" line. I then attach 5' lengths of 1x1 pine midway between the mast and stanchian and parallel to the deck.

I use smaller tarps so that only the deck and cockpit are covered. This gives me an adequate pitch to compensate for snow load, which can be up to 10" in mid-winter. I anchor the tarps with bungies to allow for some flex in the system (wind) and prevent tearing the tarp (snow load). I don't cover the top sides because.....heck, I'm going to wash and wax it in the spring anyway and it's easier than doing the deck/cockpit.

Until last year I used a 2x4 crutch in the cockpit for the mast support. Last year I switched to the metal crutch sold by Catalina Direct. I didn't have any problems with the gudgeons in the spring so I'm keeping my fingers crossed this year.

I'm still looking for a better way to support the end of my furler than the piece of rain gutter I'm currently using. It works ok but I'm always looking to improve.

Edited by - on

KiteKraemer
Navigator

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191 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2009 : 12:02:17

Here's what I ended up with this yr.

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