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

[ibEddy2u]

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

From my yard to the dock is 5.9 miles. The parking lot where I set up has powerlines all-around, so I raise the mast and then lower it again so that it hangs over the back. I then drive with it that way until I pass the last power line. I pull over and use my homemade mast raising system (fence post with a birdhouse crank) to raise it up again.

Next, I get in line for launching my Mac 26s.

This is 99% of my “sailing”.

[Jimmyt]

Do you have a pic showing the rig in that configuration? What top speed are you running during the tow? How rough is the road? Where is your rear mast support? How long is the cantilever section past the aft mast support?

If you're going under 40 mph, on a smooth road, and your support is closer to the free end, it's probably ok. But more information is required if you want a real answer. You could have someone follow and video the mast during the trip to give you a feel for what's happening. If it's doing a lot of large amplitude bouncing, you might try adding support at the free end.

Aerial power is a real headache. I have aerial power lines to contend with at my usual ramp, too. Got to stay focused.

[Stevenhigbee]

I then drive with it that way until I pass the last power line. I pull over and use my homemade mast raising system (fence post with a birdhouse crank) to raise it up again.

I can't help with your question, but sure would like to see your mast-raising system.

[ibEddy2u]

• See pictures and google best prices.
• Get an eye bolt and some strap for the back of the pole
• Look at some fence posts at your local store 5 to 6 or so feet tall
• Look at the mast pole straps in the picture to judge the diameter of the pole you’ll need
• Because of our application don’t use the mounting stuff that comes with the bird winch -- bolt it to the pole, again judge the pole diameter you want
• Look at some pictures to find a good winch height and for a good angle for the pole
• I grease the steel cable that came with the birdhouse winch

[ibEddy2u]

Here are some videos that have the system in some of the frames, I'll try to show more detail in upcoming videos. The bird winch can lift 600lb I would hate to have to feed these monster birds. The system is strong, cheap, and an easy diy.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywtoyTtP9Zs
www.youtube.com/watch?v=os4FwZU-06c

[OverEasy]

Hi IbEddy2u!

Smooth flat surface with no bumps, or any turns, or wires, or tree branches, or semi trucks or big tall delivery vans and you should be fine as long as you aren’t on a public street or throughfare.

Words of caution:
==>> The overhang is gonna be past roadway transit regulations in most places if you are pivoting the mast from the mast deck plate.
Hang a big red flag or a red colored under garment ( it never fails to catch everyone’s attention better ) so a semi truck or delivery truck doesn’t get skewered…..
==>> The unsupported leverage are extending aft from the mast crutch is long. Road bounce may do a couple of undesired things like:
A) bend the mast or
B) damage the mast attach area (mast, pin, plate, deck….)
==>> Caution when making turns as the rear tip of the mast is way way back there
==>> Caution when passing below any wires or tree branches

Should be fine…..

[ibEddy2u]

I was hoping that some Mac guys would do it all of the time. I was thinking of getting a tall roller mast crutch and bolt it on the back of the transom because I do get too much bounce.

Eddy

[Jimmyt]

I was hoping that some Mac guys would do it all of the time. I was thinking of getting a tall roller mast crutch and bolt it on the back of the transom because I do get too much bounce.

Eddy

Eddy,
Check the price of a new mast. Most of us, if not all, have added a center support for towing to keep mast bounce to a bare minimum. Unless you can support it near the free end, I wouldn't suggest doing it. This is in addition to the fact that you're probably not a legal tow in that configuration.

If you want to furnish a detailed sketch, with dimensions, you can get some real feedback.

I'm always looking for ways to get on the water faster. The PO of my boat rented storage on the hard in a marina. He kept mast up and sails on (Furlers with UV strips on sails). He had a 100 yard tow from his parking spot to the ramp. As far as sailing convenience was concerned, only a slip would have beaten it. On the plus side, he didn't have to worry about the boat sinking, or bottom paint, etc with storage on the hard.

Good luck,

Jim

[Democritus]

I wouldn't drive that far with the mast rolled back. Is there a parking lot nearer the ramp, before the bridge, where you can get set up? I regularly launch at a ramp that has a bridge in between the parking lot and ramp. I get everything set up in that parking lot except raising the mast, drive down to the ramp and then, sometimes I'll raise the mast at the ramp pontoon but, if it's busy, I'll raise the mast on the water.

[ibEddy2u]

This video has my entire 5-mile trip. The question you ask starts at 7:30 minutes into the video.

At the end when my brother asks all his questions, I raise the mast to get the rigging into a good place and then I let it back down (hanging over the back) and drive it back to where you see the sailboats.

Then I pull over and quickly raise the mast again. Now I’m ready to get in line to launch.

Basically the entire drive from 7:30 on is a one-way loop that you repeat for every mistake.

Eddy

[Catigale]

Hmmm

6 miles or so would be way too far for me

A football field length crawl at 10 mph or less would be my limit. The stress of the up and down in resonance would be my concern. Legal , Schmegal

[Jimmyt]

...Legal , Schmegal

You would be welcomed with open arms in both Alabama and Mississippi! A true kindred spirit.

[Democritus]

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

[Tomfoolery]

I wouldn't do it. The dynamics could play hull with that mast, and the support structure (including the boat), especially side-to-side, and then there's the tail swing. Cut a turn too tight and you could take out the mast. So could a truck driver getting skewered by the mast, like Ricca the waterfront mobster in Dirty Harry.

All it saves is rolling it back, which you have to do anyway, so I would hold off on that part. I rig mine in the water all the time. Probably safer to fall off the boat into the water (wearing a life vest, of course) or onto the dock than it is to land on the ground, which is farther down. And harder.

[ibEddy2u]

>> 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