Tabernacle mast on my hans christian

[Jon Neely]

Looking for some insight on the tabernacle on my newly required HC33. This is the first boat I have owned with one and would like to know what, if any more gear is required to raise and lower the mast myself? I want to rewire and add steps and would love it if it doesn't require a crane to pull the mast.

here are some photos:





Any insight is great!

Jon

[Target9000]

I suggest you watch this video of a tabernacle mast being lowered without a crane.

Westsail Tabernacle Mast Movie - YouTube

[Celestialsailor]

If you could take pictures of the shrouds and turnbuckles, I could assess if it is set up.

[Jon Neely]

hope these help



Thanks for the video, when we get better internet ill take a look at it.


Jon

[Celestialsailor]

As far as I can tell, it is not set up for easy tabernacling (if that's a word). When I sailed out of Santa Cruz, many sailors had to get under a bridge only accessible by a power boat because the fixed bridge height was around 20ft. In line with the pivot point on the mast were equal pivot points on the upper shrouds. Instead of a clevis pin on the pivot point of the shroud, was a shackle. a rigging wire to the shackle attached to the deck 5 ft. back. Then the topping lift (heftier than normal) from the end boom to the upper mast was rigged. A block and tackle set up lowered the mast, so the topping lift was horizontal. Of course the rear lower shrouds were released before hand. Hope this helps.

[kentobin]

The rigging I just removed from my Rafiki 37 had a pivot point on the side stay shrouds at the same height as the pivot point in the tabernacle. It also had a support bracket that attached to the port and starboard side of the mast about 4 feet up and to the sides of the cabin to provide lateral support when lowering or raising the mast. The previous owner installed it when he bought the boat in 1978 and then never used it.

I attached a picture of the additional rigging he built to add the side stay pivot point at the correct height.

[Jon Neely]

Interesting.... Im guessing this is the method you must do if you want the system to work without having to retune the rig after ever drop. I'm guessing if I wanted to lower the rig I could loosen and disconnect the shrouds and slowly lay her down without all the fancy pivot points???