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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Motoring with mast down

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zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1311 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/15/2021 : 16:45:57

Glad you asked
If you ever plan to use the boat on the water with the mast down and still be able to put the pop-top up, you will want to consider doing the following

1) Raise the bow end of the mast resting in its cradle on top of the pulpit rail by about 10 or 12"
2) Support the mast in the center from the tabernacle mast step
3) Make a holder to support the stern end of the mast from the fuel tank rail in order to accommodate the rudder to function from the gudgeons

Normally you place the mast in its bow pulpit cradle, support the mast in the center and place the stern mast holder with its pintles in the gudgeons, tie things down and voila... ready to go.

But... if you wish to motor-sail with the mast down on the water and want to use your pop-top, you need to raise the mast to allow the pop-top sufficient room below the mast.

Make a three legged cradle and attach the legs to the stanchions of the pulpit
Support the center of the mast from the mast step
Make and attach a support connected to the fuel tank horizontal stanchion rail to support the back en of the mast

Henk & Johanna
"Floating", a few off your "barnacles".
"Someday Lady" '95 C250WB #151 ('03 - 2016)
"Sea ya" 30ft Bayliner (04-2018 - 09-2018)
"Mariah" '96 C250WB #191 (05-2019 - 15-05-2023)
"Lady J" '00 C250WK #499 (05-2021 - 09-2022)

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Canada
1311 Posts

Response Posted - 04/02/2021 : 18:35:19

For those who wish to increase the height of a horizontal mast at the bow in order to motor-sail with the pop-top up or want to open the hatch wider and more easily, here is a close-up of a sturdy "bow chaser", we made for that purpose.

The 1" clamps are available at Amazon and the 1/2" stainless steel tubing at a Metalmarkt store. However, a half round stainless steel cradle to fit and hold the mast is hard (impossible) to find... until

Johanna suggested I should perhaps look at using a cooking pan... after all they are made of quality stainless steel she suggested... what??... we both laughed out loud...

But... sure enough, a thrift store close by had all kinds of pots and pans available for a couple of bucks. That is precisely what I used as per photo.

It still needs to be refined down by about 2" with rounded corners which will be done soon. Watch out though when cutting and hack sawing the cooking pan in half... it is under a lot of tension. The pvc spacer insert is part of a 4" drainpipe and remolded with a heat gun to fit the shape of the mast. The cradle is also lined with felt

For transportation of the mast on the trailer you want to make sure the cradle is sturdy as it must be able to withstand sideways motion, shocks and sudden hard stops

Edited by - zeil on 04/02/2021 18:54:11

alippold
1st Mate

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USA
27 Posts

Response Posted - 08/04/2024 : 12:36:28

I am needing to motor with the mast down in the near future. The pictures that were on this post are no longer available. It would be wonderful to be able to see them!

Amber Waves

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1311 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2024 : 17:42:17

In order to use the pop top while the mast is horizontal we raised the mast by about 14" using a tripot type of "bow-chaser", which was clamped on with SS standard clamps connected to the pulpit and available at Amazon. During the time we owned the boat we never removed the extension even when the mast was up. No one ever questioned the purpose. It was well executed and blended in.

Since the boat was a 1995 without cat seats we added a seat connected to the fuel tank railing and placed the stern mast holder on the seat with holder to prevent it from sliding (see photo). Without the seat clamp the stern mast holder directly to the fuel tank railing using a small strip of aluminum flat bar and holder supporting the mast straight down onto the railing. The mast support needs to be strongly supported by lines connected to the stern side railings.

Another much preferred and far better way is to purchase and install another set of gudgeons which in some cases is factory provided for the C250

Support of the mast at the tabernacle is essential especially if you use the mast to tarp the pop top and entrance

alippold
1st Mate

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USA
27 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2024 : 03:45:26

Thank you!

Amber Waves

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.