unstaying my mast

EASLOOP

EASLOOP

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My 28' wooden sloop with keel stepped wooden mast is now ashore for the winter. In order to get a full winter cover over her I am thinking of unstaying the mast so as to avoid cutting the tarpauline cover to fit around the stays.
Is this a wise thing to do or will leaving the mast unstayed cause problems when the wind gets up?
Looking forward to your replies.
 
nope - don't do it ... the mast needs to be supported - either remove the mast or find another way to support the mast (could run some rigging down to the ground/trailer?)
 
Do not leave the mast unstayed, you may suffer sever damage- either take it down or get a cheap cover which you can regard as sacrificial.
 
I must say that I had a sneaking suspicion that would be the case. As my tarpaulin, the east end market type, only cost me £20 it can be considered as 'sacrificial'.

With two saying the same thing the way forward is confirmed - cut the tarp!

Thanks for your input.
 
yep, I reckon that's the cheapest option.

I get mine from a well known mail order chandler and a (couple sometimes) of smallest reinforced polythene jobs last the winter and then I cut one up next year and use it as a carpet protector for the boot of the car.
 
Remove each stay in turn and punch a grometed hole through the tarp. Re-fit the stays, each in turn, and Hey Presto, the best of both worlds.

Other than rainwater trickling down your stays onto the boat.
 
I had thought of that but as I will need to uncover and cover-up areas of the boat as work progresses I felt this was not a good option.
Thanks for your interest though.

It's good in this forum innit!
 
I'd unstep the mast, build a couple of X frames for bow/stern, put the mast between them and use it to support the tarp, like an old ridge tent. IMHO it should keep the boat nice and dry and give you access at the ends to work on her ? Can anyone think of a problem with that ?
 
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I had thought of that but as I will need to uncover and cover-up areas of the boat as work progresses I felt this was not a good option.
Thanks for your interest though.

It's good in this forum innit!

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Attach hallyards and topping lift(s) to the tarp and hoist as required.

Best of three worlds /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Suppose I was to say that I have an old green duck canvas boat cover, lots of patches but still serviceable, made for a 28 foot Twister, would you be interested in buying same?

The cover is in 2 parts which overlap at the mast and are laced together. There are slits with lacing eyes to fit around the shrouds and stays, also attachment points on top so it can be suspended from the boom. It is very heavy canvas and I reckon it would cost a small fortune to have one made new.
 
Thanks for the offer but I have in mind to make a lightweight cover for the entire boat. I only need to get through this winter.
Chris mentioned striking the mast. This was supposed to happen this autumn but I have ended up in the boat yard, propped up, an effectively long way from the fixed position crane (domestic requirements meant I ended up out of the queue for the crane). I will be striking the mast in the spring for re-finishing the varnish etc.
When all is said and done i think cutting the tarp (cheap plastic sheeting) is going to meet my requirements.
Thanks again to all.
 
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I'd unstep the mast, build a couple of X frames for bow/stern, put the mast between them and use it to support the tarp, like an old ridge tent. IMHO it should keep the boat nice and dry and give you access at the ends to work on her ? Can anyone think of a problem with that ?

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I can't, provided the guardrail stanchions are removed. I hope it does work because it's what I plan to do this winter, so that I can re-sheath the coachroof with epoxy/fabric.
 
We left the stanchions on - but had the mast up high enough to create a nice ridge tent ... oh and protected the tarp by putting pipe insulation on the ends of the stanchions ... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Unless you are planning to do work on the boat that requires some areas that would benefit from being under cover over the winter. I would question the use of a cover. I have always had GRP or steel boats and my experience has been that covers do as much harm as good. the exception being if you need cover to work on the outside in the dry.
 
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Unless you are planning to do work on the boat that requires some areas that would benefit from being under cover over the winter.

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The wooden coachroof needs it's sheathing renewing. A cover over the mast, which is laid on two wooden crutches, will allow me to work whatever the weather and I can use a fan heater inside to raise the temperature enough for epoxy work. Also the cover will keep the debris inside my boat instead of it blowing all over my neighbouur's. That's the plan.
 
I vote for this too.
It's exactly what I do every year, keeps the snow off nicely if the mast "ridge-pole" is high enough.
Best to use a heavy tarp. If using the cheaper poly-tarp variety then throw ropes over the top and tie them down tight so that it can't flap in the wind or tie 5l/1gal plastic bottles filled with water to the eyes in the tarp so that it damps any tendency to flap hard.
Don't use rubber bungee hooks, they won't stand up to the exposure and you'll need to check/replace them every week or so...

-steve-
 
I agree, considering the work you have planned the cover is essential. Keeping it high eneough to walk along the deck is usefull. However you should be aware that this will increase the windage of your boat so you should make sure that she is well chocked up. All the best with the work.
 
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Best to use a heavy tarp.

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Can you recommend a particular make, please. One I bought from Machine Mart was in shreds after one gale. I don't mind spending a bit for a decent product.
 
Is your insurance company happy with your vessel ashore and the mast still stepped? seem to remember comments about windage and vibrations contributing to falling over! particularly if chocked and blocked, rather than on a purpose made cradle.....
 
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