RAISING The Mast...

[Gazmn]

Okay, Boating season is finally here
So why not start a project that will only keep me from the water

Aim: To raise the mast ~ 12 inches to allow a taller dodger & enclosure; Also to decrease stooping

I read about this somewhere here and the idea's been rolling around in my head; here's what I came up with: [drum role please...]

What about raising the mast base 10 or 12 inches by fastening a "stump" on the mast plate and installing another mast plate on top. You could add the corresponding length to each shroud and swage it on the chain plate sides. You'd fasten it to the original rigging with turnbuckles...

This way you keep all your original rigging no great cost to upgrade [literally]. Blocks would have to be placed around the stump to keep all lines at deck level. And you'd lower your Jib/furler in proportion to raised height.


So what do you think ...

I know we'll be raising / risking heeling stress by corresponding height. [Frank mentioned something to that effect in other post.] But even 5 inches would probably relieve alot of peoples stooping in the cockpit. & this may be The one case where even the admiral could live with just 5 inches

Stump material: worse case- piece of 4x4 or 6x6 lumber, shaped appropriately, sealed and painted.

[Bawgy]

Per previous post Why not cut the foot of the sail off 12"s and raise the boom . No rigging changes needed that way

[Gazmn]

I'm not against that idea either.

I haven't visited a sail loft yet and have no clue what that would cost. Probably alot less than the stress and mathematics to do what I've proposed.

BTB, where is that post I'm referring to

[Bawgy]

http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=10433

[bscott]

I installed a mast which is 2' taller than the . You could do the same and raise the boom accordingly.

However, there will be major rigging considerations whichever way you go:
If you go with the mast you will have to recut your main flatter to account for the mast's wider profile which adds depth to the main.
Reset the upper/lower shroud hound locations and change out the shroud tangs to shackles that attaches the shrouds to the front of the mast
Lengthen your backstay (or add a vang to adjust the backstay)
Add weight to the CB to counter the effect of the taller mast (optional).

If your sails are due to be replaced, consider cutting 12" off the tack and getting a new shorter main cut with a bigger roach to make up the sail sq. foot reduction.

Bob

[Frank C]

I think raising the boom is surely preferable, easy & reversible, no new rigging required. Move the gooseneck bracket 6 inches higher on the mast, then reef the mainsail just for testing.

As Stephen wrote in the other thread (Kelly Hansen East), if you really like the added headroom, have a short reef added to the main for about $150, and just always hoist to that reef point.

Personally, I don't find the 26X factory boom height to be a problem.
There's surely no way we'd be raising the boom on SF Bay ... heeling is a problem~!

[puggsy]

My previous liitle boat had a brand new mainsail that cost me BIG $$$$. and I really do not want it to go when i sell the boat. Its measurement was 7 metres by 2 metres. ABOUT THE SIZE OF THE MAC DOYLE SAIL WHEN REEFED.\ TO ITS ONE REEFING POINT.
Because it is so well built with two reefing points, is fully battened and set up for cruising with superstrong slides on both mast and boom, I will be fitting it in place of the Doyle on windy days...and keep sailing.
after all, how long does it take to change a mainsail.
Might even consider another 2 metre boom to suit.
The only answer to a raised mast is to fit a substantial TABERNACLE on which the mast is mounted, preferably with a pivot point. And there is a lot of work in changing the rigging shrouds and forestay...
All to make the bimini fit...Maybe best to shorten the boom and mainsail foot.
Puggsy 06

[tangentair]

I have read this thread over several times for it is of great interest to me also and while others might feel that there is nothing wrong with adding a little something to raise the mast attachment point, my gut says no way. Perhaps it is because we had a keel boat with a keel stepped mast and I thought the cabin stepped mast was not as secure when I got the M. It just seems to me that if you tie off the top of the mast and then put a lot of pressure on it, it is going to flex and I would not want any attachment point in that range of flex. That is my 2 cents or half pennys worth. I would go with the suggestion to raise the boom and reef the sail to see how much the loss of sail area bothered me. I bought 2 books on rigging a while back, thick books that talk about all sorts of things I did not know and still do not but now I know that I do not know. Balancing sail area to hull is both science and art. (OK 3 cents worth so I will quit)

[cuisto]

I think it might be simpler and more beneficial to just shorten your legs.

This will increase clearance and headroom in the cabin as well. well in your car house and under trees also i suppose!

[Graham Carr]

Check out Blue Water Yachts, They modified 26 X rig into a double spreader and added 3.5' to the mast height. They did discuss this with Roger Macgregor and several sailmakers. You can read their article here;
26X Tall Rig

Graham

[Gazmn]

Cuisto: ROFL

Thanks all.

I think Frank and Tangent have very real points. I'm going to let it go for now; and over the winter I might look into shortening my legs

[pokerrick1]

I'm going to let it go for now; and over the winter I might look into shortening my legs

If you want, I could get one of my ex-wives to help you with the shortening - - - worked for me

One of them even likes NY?

Rick