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1999 26X the mast support is level when the mast is in transport mode. i have seen pics with back mast support higher than the front. which would make it easier to move the mast aft when getting ready to raise it.

The previous owner i think cut the support down, which makes it hard to clear the lifeline stanchions when moving the mast aft. AND i cracked the top of the main hatch when i lowered the mast. i did not move the hatch lid aft and left it forward with out knowing it. The mast lowered onto it and cracked it in two places. (more fiberglass repair)

How high is the mast support in the sterring column supposed to be?

Must be from Australia heh?

yukonbob wrote:Must be from Australia heh?

yes upload flipped it and i didn't want to take time to figure out how to un flip it.

Sorry I couldn't provide actual help with the measurement though.

Thats exactly how it looks here in Australia, makes mast raising easy but hard to lower.

Mast support looks about right, yes you have to lift your mast to head height to get the spreaders to clear the staunchions, you also should release your top life lines so the spreaders dont rest on them.

Cheers, Dennis.

To avoid slackening the lifelines, we do a "juggle" of the mast from the pulpit. I move the end to port (pivoting on the mast support) just enough so the Admiral can lower the starboard spreader under the lifeline, then I move the end to starboard and she tucks in the port spreader. We do the same juggle to raise the mast/spreaders past the lifelines.

I guess a picture (or video) would be better.

thanks, i have seen pics with aft support higher than the pulpit. seems it would make things easier?

i might try adding a temporary extension to see if it works, then i could remove it for transporting and put it in for raising. get it all above the life lines. i am currently using a quick release hook for back of life line i can easily release it then hook back up when needed.

Still curious as to how far is too high for back support

My support crutch with roller is a hair under 4 ft to the roller center. I don't know how high the support pin inside the helm is off the cockpit sole, but with my 1 ft extension, the mast clears the bimini by a little (by design), and the bimini clears my head by more than a little, so that would put the roller center at around 6-1/2 ft above the cockpit sole with the extension. That makes the roller center about 5-1/2 ft without the extension.

I'll probably go to the boat later today to clean up the mess I left when I got in last night (about 11:00 pm) and the mosquitoes were chasing me away, and I'll take a measurement then if you want.

No extension:



With extension:

Tomfoolery wrote:My support crutch with roller is a hair under 4 ft to the roller center. I don't know how high the support pin inside the helm is off the cockpit sole, but with my 1 ft extension, the mast clears the bimini by a little (by design), and the bimini clears my head by more than a little, so that would put the roller center at around 6-1/2 ft above the cockpit sole with the extension. That makes the roller center about 5-1/2 ft without the extension.

I'll probably go to the boat later today to clean up the mess I left when I got in last night (about 11:00 pm) and the mosquitoes were chasing me away, and I'll take a measurement then if you want.

No extension:



With extension:

Even without the extension your pics looks higher than mine. I think he cut it so the boom would clear it when he left it in.
Does the extension cause any problems with clearance or stability for the mast trailering? Your looks about right to clear the life line stanchions

Thanks for the info

Hi. We just completed our maiden voyage with Funtasia, a1997 MacX we are delighted to have acquired. Our pedestal needs an extension as to clear Bimini etc. Is the extension a ready made item or custom made? I'd appreciate info or pic as simple way to make an extension that's safe enough to travel with.

Hi. We just completed our maiden voyage with Funtasia, a1997 MacX we are delighted to have acquired. Our pedestal needs an extension as to clear Bimini etc. Is the extension a ready made item or custom made? I'd appreciate info or pic as simple way to make an extension that's safe enough to travel with.

Funtasia wrote:Our pedestal needs an extension as to clear Bimini etc. Is the extension a ready made item or custom made? I'd appreciate info or pic as simple way to make an extension that's safe enough to travel with.

It's nothing more than a 2 ft length of 1/2" schedule 40 pipe, and a 1 ft piece of 1" aluminium tube, which was actually a broken spreader, retasked for use as a crutch extender.

The pipe sits against the cross pin inside the crutch tube where the mast crutch normally sits, with the aluminium tube slid over the pipe. The tube is about flush with the helm, and the pipe extends a foot above that. The crutch slides over the pipe. You can just see the aluminium tube at the top of the helm in the second pic.

The tube/pipe fit is very close, so there's no wobble, and the pipe is quite strong and won't bend under normal loads. But with the mast that high, the forces on the helm can also get rather high when in a seaway, so I use a length of line from a deck cleat, through the genoa fairlead, up and around the mast a few times, then down the other side, with some preload in it to stop the wobbling. That's when I'm carrying the mast on the water, like in the canal pic above.

My FIL cut a hole in the bridge piece (connector) so the crutch can fit through it. That way I can have the full enclosure, even with the mast in the crutch.

Beware the towing height! I raised my pedestal mast support, to find the top of the mast was over 12 feet above the ground when towing. I raised the pulpit mast support, and adjusted the pedestal support height, so I could raise the bimini without disturbing the mast, and have a maximum towing height 10.5 feet at the mast top. I later added a 3rd support at the mast deck bracket, and a rear arch with a roller on top. I have my mast supported at 4 points when towing, and the spreaders are above the lifelines. When in Trawler mode, I remove the pedestal support so I can raise the bimini/dodger/center.

Tomfoolery wrote:

Funtasia wrote:Our pedestal needs an extension as to clear Bimini etc. Is the extension a ready made item or custom made? I'd appreciate info or pic as simple way to make an extension that's safe enough to travel with.

It's nothing more than a 2 ft length of 1/2" schedule 40 pipe, and a 1 ft piece of 1" aluminium tube, which was actually a broken spreader, retasked for use as a crutch extender.

The pipe sits against the cross pin inside the crutch tube where the mast crutch normally sits, with the aluminium tube slid over the pipe. The tube is about flush with the helm, and the pipe extends a foot above that. The crutch slides over the pipe. You can just see the aluminium tube at the top of the helm in the second pic.

The tube/pipe fit is very close, so there's no wobble, and the pipe is quite strong and won't bend under normal loads. But with the mast that high, the forces on the helm can also get rather high when in a seaway, so I use a length of line from a deck cleat, through the genoa fairlead, up and around the mast a few times, then down the other side, with some preload in it to stop the wobbling. That's when I'm carrying the mast on the water, like in the canal pic above.

Thanks for the pics and the pipe sizes. I plan on keeping the crutch in place while I sail. It turns out if I'm standing at the helm and reach forward to use the U shaped handle at the front of the pedestal I have to lean forward and the end of the boom would hit my face. If I use the mast support as a handle I can stand up and back a bit more and the boom clears my face.
So using your sizes I will add a length of pipe to the bottom in the pedestal hole to get the stepping height I want and after tha mast is secure I can remove the extension leaving the correct height handle for me to use. I will also use the lower height for trailering and avoid the excessive height of the rear of the mast.

Great info guys thank you one and all