Mast raising/lowering on small yachts : lateral stability

[bluerm166]

Great photos from Lakesailor and TSB240.Using the furler is interesting,and keeps it under control,but makes it difficult to use the mainsheet tackle,which is nice for inching a heavier mast.But the engineering on the TSB is very persuasive-using the fixed point 'ring' to also attach pole stays seems particularly neat,as otherwise it does want to sway about,creating sideways force.I will certainly make use of my gash windsurf mast when I make up a rig for next winter -touchwood there are no mast issues at the moment.

 

[Slocumotion]

Perhaps this should be in the "Confessional" thread - I can't see how the ginpole adds any lateral stability.

 

[Corribee Boy]

You can still use the mainsheet to raise the mast with a gin pole/forestay setup: I have a large shackle on the pole end to which forestay and mainsheet both attach. Probably simpler than using a winch as it can easily be locked off and left mid-lift for vital cups of tea.

My lateral stays simple double over the opposite spreader and down again, so they're easy to retrieve, and the axis is created with a bridle line tied to stanchions and pulpit legs.

 

[Corribee Boy]

Perhaps this should be in the "Confessional" thread - I can't see how the ginpole adds any lateral stability.

You're quite right: it doesn't, hence the need for lateral stays if you're doing this in breezy conditions or while afloat.

 

[Slocumotion]

You're quite right: it doesn't, hence the need for lateral stays if you're doing this in breezy conditions or while afloat.

Quick Lakey! Get back up that stepladder!

 

[TSB240]

Perhaps this should be in the "Confessional" thread - I can't see how the ginpole adds any lateral stability.

Lakeys doesnt! As has been said its all down to the additional side staying. Trust me mine is rock solid with no chance of any sideways swaying or broken mast foot.

 

[Slocumotion]

I lash the spinny pole athwartships at the mast foot- that gives me a clip each for the main and Genny halyards for lateral support. That introduces a bit of twist of course but hasn't proved to be a problem.

 

[Lakesailor]

Lakeys doesnt! As has been said its all down to the additional side staying. Trust me mine is rock solid with no chance of any sideways swaying or broken mast foot.

True, but with a masthead rig the aft inner shrouds, which are connected during raising, limit the movement laterally as soon as you have got the mast part-way up. Did on my boat anyway. If conditions had required it I had a plan for some extra lines. With a few spare bodies we did a couple of boats by having people at each side hanging onto the main and spinnaker halyards.

 

[bluerm166]

In TSB249's case it is the gin pole itself which is also stabilised,quite separate from the temp stays to the mast,because he also has stays from it to the same pivot axis.Admittedly they must be on the slack side because ,as executed,the pole rotates about a slightly offset axis,but still worth having.