Does anyone drive their 26 with the mast hanging over the back, any issues with doing that for short drives?

[Tomfoolery]

The reason I don't like sliding the mast back is it's not quick and easy for me yet. I'm hoping that a roller mast crutch balanced with the mast might make it a cleaner operation for me.

I assumed you had such a roller crutch. Not having one makes things more difficult, so I see (now) where you're coming from on this.

But you have to move it back sooner or later, so why not just delay that part of the rigging process until you're at the ramp or in the water?

[OverEasy]

It would be a shame to damage your mast/boat, damage property or worse yet possibly hurt someone.
Especially if a roller support could make your own activities safer and easier for about a Benjamin or so and postage.
(Yes, that is 400 quarters, or 1000 dimes, or 10000 pennies …all of which are guarded by my Admiral like Ft Knox !!! )

The roller crutch for a Mac26X is available from Blue Water Yacths:





They also have the earlier Mac26X “Bent Pole” design roller crutch available:




Which one could modify by carefully spreading the yoke to fit a simple “V” roller.

The Mac26C version:





The people at BWY are knowledgeable and helpful and generous with their time. Give them a call.
Hope this helps.

[ibEddy2u]

>>>Why not just rig the boat in the parking lot right next to the ramp? What am I missing?

I do but have to take it down because of all the powerlines, see the video from 7:30 on, my brother asks the same question in the lot.

Eddy

[ibEddy2u]

I would love to have one of them, but I haven't found a conversion video yet from the wood crutch that I have to a roller one.

Eddy

[OverEasy]

Call BWY

[Democritus]

>>>Why not just rig the boat in the parking lot right next to the ramp? What am I missing?

I do but have to take it down because of all the powerlines, see the video from 7:30 on, my brother asks the same question in the lot.

Eddy

OK I think I get it now. Your OP made it seem like you were driving from home to the ramp with the mast down. You're only driving a couple hundred feet or so though, right? From the parking lot right next to the ramp to the ramp? If that's the case, then no, there's no problem. I do it all the time. Just make sure the mast is resting on the crutch and your stays aren't dragging.

[Jimmyt]

>> 10 mph or less

Yes, my only hope was "everybody does it"

The reason I don't like sliding the mast back is it's not quick and easy for me yet. I'm hoping that a roller mast crutch balanced with the mast might make it a cleaner operation for me. Everything I've looked at is part of a railing/framework which I'm not ready for.

>> ...Legal , Schmegal

I still run the VA plates because in TN we don't need plates, lights (one will do), or titles for trailers or boats -- $25 per year and you're "good"

Eddy

So, after looking at the end of your video, it looks like less than 1/4 mile at very low speed.

Agree with Democritus, I wouldn't hesitate to do that, although, as Tom pointed out, you really have to be careful with the amount of stuff you're swinging around behind the boat.

Totally got me off track by stating the total tow distance in your original post. I'm not the brightest bulb in the box.

[ibEddy2u]

I was looking at and praying that I could do the entire trip with it hanging over the back. If only the parking lot wasn't one-way it would be so easy.

Eddy

[Democritus]

Totally got me off track by stating the total tow distance in your original post. I'm not the brightest bulb in the box.

That's what confused me too!


As far as the one-way parking lot goes, I ran into the same thing last month. I would have had to leave the mast down and put it up on the water because of trees. Luckily, the lot was almost empty, so I just drove the wrong way! Ssshhhh!

[pitchpolehobie]

Just raised my mast on for the first time by myself with the ginpole. It was a lot easier with 2 people watching all the lines, the shrouds dropping correctly and then getting the tight forestay and furler pinned in. I was able to do it but barely and I weigh about 170lbs

[OverEasy]

Hip Hip Hooray!
Congratulations!
You are definitely one up on us!

We have been hesitant about setting the mast until we can feel really comfortable with just motoring and navigating about.
The tides and currents and winds and underwater hazards here are enough for us to contend with down here in SC right now.

Again, Congratulations!