Mast hoop size?

[ianc1200]

How do you relate the diameter of the mast to hoop size? Of the 10 hoops 6 are cracked and so I suspect the remainder. The mast diameter is 5", and the outer diameter of the current hoops are 10" which seems a little big to me.

 

[Woodlouse]

I don't think there's a hard and fast rule but obviously the bigger the hoop the easier it will run up and down. I would suggest that if it looks right it is right and a 5" mast would probably be alright with hoops with not more than a 7" diameter.

 

[old_salt]

They need to rise and drop without jamming so a bit of trial and error might sort it.
The section is as important as the diameter so they slide freely up and down.
Make up one hoop so you can try it on a test bit of something the same diameter as your mast.

 

[ianc1200]

The current hoops are 10" outer diameter, 8.5" inner. The luff looks a little too far away from the mast (perhaps 5" away), but perhaps that's me more used to a laced mainsail. A bit beyond me to make up the hoops, was going to buy from Davey's/Classic Marine and have ready for when the mast is lowered in December.
On that score, as it seems a common complaint about hoops breaking, is it worth having another two or so on the mast to allow for future breakages?

 

[Woodlouse]

Its always worth having a spare hoop on the mast but they shouldn't be breaking that frequently.

Another thing to take into account when sizing up is check how far away from the mast the tack and throat of the sail is when hoisted. The luff should then be held fairly straight between them which should give an indication of how big your hoops can be.

 

[ianc1200]

Thanks all for the various thoughts, & Woodlouse's suggestion of how far the tack and throat are away from the mast perhaps seems the key to it. Thanks again!

 

[Seajet]

Ian, pardon my ignorance but aren't parrel beads involved so you'd have to factor those in to measuements ?

Maybe the peak halliard slightly tensioned could take a touch of jamming force off ?

You can see it's a long time since I sailed a gaffer ! But crewing a Falmouth Working Boat was one of the best experiences of my life...( Far better than sex but don't tell SWMBO ).

Incidentally the photgrapher Beken at Cowes used to sell photo's of J class boats framed in their own mast hoops, I thought it was a gimmick then but maybe worth a bit now...

 

[ianc1200]

Andy, strangely enough some smacks owners despair at hoops breaking and attach the luff via parrel beads instead of hoops, easily repairable etc. But usually the parrel beads are only used to connect the gaff jaws to the mast.

 

[Seajet]

Ian,

I'd love to come for a sail / refresher course on gaffers

A, if I was invited,

B, If I ever emerged from Dartford still functional !

Andy

 

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

The 'standard' rule is hoop diameter is 1.25 max. mast cross-section. For a mast of 5" circular section, hoop dia. would therefore be 6 1/4". Up to a point (as in Post 5), bigger is better. I'd be looking at, say, 7" ID to be sure of their not jamming.

Another thing you can do to help avoid jamming is to attach all hoops to a light line running down the mast's forward side. Then each hoop helps bring the next one down with it.

Or you can use robands (with or without parrels). Or a there-and-back lacing.

Mike

 

[jerrytug]

I'm using there-and-back lacing, it's a bit sticky/snaggy, parrels are looking attractive.
What is a "roband" please? Can you install them, and parrels, with the sail bent on to the gaff? cheers Jerry

 

[Woodlouse]

If you're not using hoops then a proper lacing is the next best thing. In my experience strops with Parrel beads have to be so loose that they might as well not be there.

If your having trouble with your lacing then try adjusting the tension. When done right it should all come tight when the tension is put on the luff, if it tightens too soon then you might need to slack it off a bit.

 

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

There are a couple of versions of a there-and-back lacing. I prefer this one. This is for lacing the luff to the mast, as it doesn't jam when lowering sail. (For boom or gaff lacing, spiral is fine.)

Robands are just essentially rope masthoops. Just make up a set of short rope loops with eye and toggles -- thread one through each luff grommet and make it fast around the mast. Easier to make off, can stay with the sail when it's handed, and if one gives way for any reason the whole luff doen't pull away from the mast.

Mike