Long Mast issue ICW - What do you guys do? Docking, etc

[Captn_Black]

Originally Posted by Tin Tin

I often wondered whether it may be possible to put in a sleeve to put the top part of the mast back on when required.

I would say not, in a bermudan rig most of the weight gets focused at the masthead. A professional welding job would be the only way to go. But even then I think they might have trouble getting at the interior for welding. Although I don't know enough about aluminium welding to know if that would be necessary in this case.

[LeeV]

Don’t cut your mast; it’s a big boat and is sized correctly to go. Look at some of the ARC results when the L450 took honors.

We bought ours in Florida and it just saw it’s new home on the Potapsco River on the Chesapeake 10 days ago. 6 days with an overnight to refuel and a stop in Charleston to buy a new chip for the plotter. No issues.

Enjoy the search.

[jdazey]

Hey, congratulations on your new boat!


And hopefully the OP wil heed your advice.


Cheers,

[Jeannius]

Originally Posted by LeeV

Don’t cut your mast; it’s a big boat and is sized correctly to go. Look at some of the ARC results when the L450 took honors.


Enjoy the search.

The ARC uses handicaps/ratings. Cut 10ft off your mast, your rating will get adjusted and you are still just as likely to win (providing you sail well and they get the re-rating correct).

[LakeSuperior]

Re-rig with a main topmast. Very common about 150 years ago.

[LeeV]

Originally Posted by jdazey

Hey, congratulations on your new boat!


And hopefully the OP wil heed your advice.


Cheers,

Thanks! It’s taking some time getting used to it after several trimarans, but we’re getting too old (we’ll, joints we’re getting too old!) and need to slow down with some comfort. 🙂

[Captn_Black]

Originally Posted by LakeSuperior

Re-rig with a main topmast. Very common about 150 years ago.

The reasons for doing so weren't related to its seaworthiness, rather by necessity and the decline of suitably sized lumber.

[LeeV]

Originally Posted by Jeannius

The ARC uses handicaps/ratings. Cut 10ft off your mast, your rating will get adjusted and you are still just as likely to win (providing you sail well and they get the re-rating correct).

That’s certainly true, but I wasn’t implying that they’re speedy, just that they’re ocean capable and set up proportionately. Cut 10’ off the mast and cut the sails and you’ll find the performance lacking compared to the original design.

[jdazey]

Originally Posted by LeeV

Thanks! It’s taking some time getting used to it after several trimarans, but we’re getting too old (we’ll, joints we’re getting too old!) and need to slow down with some comfort. 🙂

While we really like our boat, we've had it 4.5 years, and it's still not a trimaran


And on the topic of shortening the mast, in light air you'll be glad for every square foot of sail. OK, you've got my opinion. It's your boat.


Cheers,

[LeeV]

Originally Posted by jdazey

While we really like our boat, we've had it 4.5 years, and it's still not a trimaran


And on the topic of shortening the mast, in light air you'll be glad for every square foot of sail. OK, you've got my opinion. It's your boat.


Cheers,

Agreed, esp here on the Chesapeake, I wouldn’t want smaller sale area.

[Boat Guy]

The general reason for me checking in with the group was dual purposed...I wanted thoughts on running the ICW but also property considerations in Florida. I've been looking around central Florida and some of the options have fixed bridges where I couldn't put the boat behind the property. I would need a property either before any bridges or, at least, fixed bridges...Makes it more limited for sure.


For example, Coca Beach / Merritt Island looks like too much skinny water and bridge issues...

[ggray]

I have repeated what I learned here from someone with the restrictions imposed by deep draft and too tall a mast for the ICW.


He made day, night, and day hops from Norfolk to Miami. All daylight starts and ends to each hop.


Norfolk to Cape Lookout
... to Charleston
... to St. Mary's River (Cumberland Island or Fernandina Beach)
… to Miami

I don't have these restrictions, but I have once made use of the concept.

[tkeithlu]

Then there is the other problem... 29 bridges between Fort Worth and Miami that a 38' mast won't go under.

[Mystic38]

a 65ft mast is not ICW friendly.. so start with that. You need to factor in about 2ft for windvane and windex..assuming a whip vhf it bends and make noise but whatever...lol

So that makes the max mast height 63ft

But the "all bridges are 65ft" is BS, there are a few at 64ft, and one of those rarely sees 64ft.. wind driven tides can be up a few feet for days.

So, if you are going to cripple your boat by chopping a chunk off, please make sure you take enough off..

by example..

My mast height is 62.5ft (hence "ICW friendly"..not) and the two 64ft bridges in NC dictated going around the sound via Roanoke and up Coinjock.. the least desirable way to run the ICW btw..and still i hit the bridge at Beaufort NC.. which is a 65ft bridge!... but with 63.5ft clearance

so pardon me if i get a little anti "65ft"..lol

Real ICW friendly is about 61ft..

[fourlyons]

Originally Posted by Captn_Black

I would say not, in a bermudan rig most of the weight gets focused at the masthead. A professional welding job would be the only way to go. But even then I think they might have trouble getting at the interior for welding. Although I don't know enough about aluminium welding to know if that would be necessary in this case.

Stayed masts experience mostly compression; lots of masts come sleeved and riveted.