Quick release forestay and shrouds ?

[Nigel-in-Oxford]

OK I may be being a bit silly, but I am fed-up spending 20 minutes undoing bottle screws to drop my mast to pass under bridges. Then another tightening them up again.
Has anyone got a quicker method? Pelican hooks for example ?

 

[onesea]

OK I may be being a bit silly, but I am fed-up spending 20 minutes undoing bottle screws to drop my mast to pass under bridges. Then another tightening them up again.
Has anyone got a quicker method? Pelican hooks for example ?

Can you put drop nose pins in the system so you ease the forestay and remove the pins leaving the bottle screws set?

You can also get bottle screws with high-field leavers but they are not cheap...

 

[25931]

OK I may be being a bit silly, but I am fed-up spending 20 minutes undoing bottle screws to drop my mast to pass under bridges. Then another tightening them up again.
Has anyone got a quicker method? Pelican hooks for example ?

Have you considered using cords instead of bottle screws ?

 

[Nigel-in-Oxford]

I had looked at high-field levers but as you say they are expensive, and i would need 3 forestay and the two forward small shrouds. I think every thing else loosens as the mast drops.
Cords: well I used to use them on my dinghies but would I trust them on a bigger mast?
Many thanks chaps I'm going to think on your suggestions maybe I can do something with cords at least the price is right

 

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

Pelican hooks would be quickest, but I confess to never having seen them put to this use.

Cords would certainly work if you used at least four fraps -- but slower.

Mike

 

[andygc]

Cords: well I used to use them on my dinghies but would I trust them on a bigger mast?

Have you looked at the rigging on HMS Victory or the Cutty Sark?

 

[Nigel-in-Oxford]

yes.

 

[RupertW]

yes.

Norfolk broads yachts used to do it with counterweighted masts - take tension off bsckstays which used block and tackle, unhook forestay (hook on bow, ring on forestay) and let mast drop backwards. Once through the bridge, pull down forestay and push mast up, hook it on with little tension, then tightend up block and tackles.

On theory all done without dropping sails or losing momentum through the bridge.

Obviously impractical on your boat, but there may be some ideas in there if you really do need to do this frequently.

 

[prv]

Cords: well I used to use them on my dinghies but would I trust them on a bigger mast?

Kindred Spirit's forestay was set up with a lanyard (no proper deadeye, though, just a bow shackle) and she was 24'.

Pete

 

[andygc]

Norfolk broads yachts used to do it with counterweighted masts - take tension off bsckstays which used block and tackle, unhook forestay (hook on bow, ring on forestay) and let mast drop backwards. Once through the bridge, pull down forestay and push mast up, hook it on with little tension, then tightend up block and tackles.

On theory all done without dropping sails or losing momentum through the bridge..

In theory? Not in my youth. No backstays, and you had to drop the gaff first. Acle Bridge for the first attempt - a nice easy bridge. We cracked Potter Heigham road bridge after a bit of practice elsewher, but there was a wind shadow after the bridge so we couldn't get the rig up and full again to get some acceleration for the railway bridge. Had to quant. Of course, the railway bridge is a road bridge now. Happy days.

 

[Adamastor]

I would look at a pelican hook. Try one of these from Wichard