Help me figure out how to rig this boat!

[CanadianAlien]

Hello folks, I bought a 31 ft wooden sailboat this winter.
There is a fellow here stepping his mast and I would love to split the cost with him rather than paying for it myself in the near future.

The boat has 3 wooden masts:

One is the main mast, it passes through the roof and sits into the floor, in the middle of the boat.

One sticks way off the front of the boat, laying horizontal.

I can't figure out where the last one goes, there is no holes in the deck near the rudder,

Some photos below of the masts laying down, the hole in the boat for the main mast, and just general shape of the boat.

No clue what make and model, boat was built by a master.

[skipmac]

If you are sure that one "mast" lays horizontally at the front then that would be a bow sprit.

You identified a main mast.

If there is no where for the last mast to sit on deck or through the deck then it might be the boom for the main mast.

[CanadianAlien]

I am taking pictures of the sails now,

[CharlzO]

First, I'll throw out that it seems you might be over your head if you have this little knowledge about sailboats and terminology. For example, it's a keel stepped mast, coming through the deck / cabin top. The one that sticks off the front, sounds like a bowsprit. Are you sure the last isn't the boom? There's a whole lot of unknown in this equation.

[CanadianAlien]

Also! In your experience do you think I would need a crane to step it?
it's 30 ft.
Nautical novice right here <<
only ever sailed a 28' clipper
So.. Mast, bowsprit, boom.
I've gotta sort this out by Friday to get it stepped or it will cost more in the future.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by CanadianAlien

Also! In your experience do you think I would need a crane to step it?
it's 30 ft.
Nautical novice right here <<
only ever sailed a 28' clipper
So.. Mast, bowsprit, boom.
I've gotta sort this out by Friday to get it stepped or it will cost more in the future.

Is the boat currently in the water or on the hard? Are you at a boat yard? A mast this short might be stepped with a large travel lift but it will need some kind of mechanical assistance.

[CanadianAlien]

on the water, moored.

[JPA Cate]

CanadianAlien,

Hi, there, sorry to muddy the waters, but in your fourth picture, that is not a bowsprit. If you Google on bowsprits, you can get an idea what to expect one to look like. Whatever it is, I don't think that is what it is.

At this point, what you have is a main mast, which is keel stepped, and two other pieces of timber. Along the sides of the boat, in line with the mast, you should find some chain plates, or somewhere to attach a forestay, somewhere to attach shrouds, and possibly running back stays. There are different mast types, if it has a track on it, going almost all the way to its top from about 5 ft. up from the deck, that's a Marconi rig. There might also be a track on the front of it, or a pad eye to attach a whisker pole. If there is no track, you may be looking at a gaff rig, and you need to find someone local to help you get that set up properly. Actually, that's probably a good idea in any event. A lifetime in the modern world does not equip us well to deal with old timber boats. What you may have there is mast, boom and pole, but I am not really sure, except that's for sure NOT a bowsprit. The foredeck is clear except for the Sampson post.

Fwiw, more pictures would help, if you get a chance.

Ann

[CanadianAlien]

sorry man to clarify, the one laying all the way across the boat is the mast currently. I took photos of where the bowsprit goes , its the smallest of them.
Im really just not seeing how the one with most the stain still on it will work as a boom.

[skipmac]

I think the best way for you to sort this out is to get someone locally that knows boats to come by and look at this in person.

[sailor_ed]

It seems pretty obvious that the spar with the square-ish tongue is a bowsprit. The spar rests in the trough shown on the bow and the tongue fits between the knightheads. There is probably a SS clamp that goes over the spar and bolts to the trough up forward.

The spar with the cylindrical extension must be the main mast and the cylinder probably fits into the mast step.

This leaves the last spar as a boom. It should have a gooseneck (swivel joint) which attaches to the mast.

Sorry for all the sailing terminology but it's hard to avoid in this "sport".

[sailor_ed]

I have to admit that the photos still leave a lot of room for conjecture. Dimensions and physical descriptions of the spars would be helpful.

It looks like an interesting boat though it might need some TLC.. I would be looking for someone familiar with classic boats to act as a mentor.

[newhaul]

Ok here is what I can make out the part with the tongue cutout is likely the bowsprit, the one with the varnish and the track is the boom. And the other part is a part of a telephone pole that would make a usable mast once it is shaped and properly fitted . I see no place for standing rigging to be attached. I recommend figuring out a lot more before setting the mast in place.

[Richard5]

Simply the problem. Identify the mast. Set the mast. Later, after preparing the other spars for use (protective coatings, hardware, rigging), use the mast as a gin pole to set the other spars. That is, need not worry about nothing but the mast at this point. You can even slap some temporary rigging on the mast to get you going for right now.

You have a fine looking boat. I think you'll be using linseed oil by the barrel.
About that linseed oil. I have had great and long lasting success with a mixture of equal parts of boiled linseed oil, turpentine, real bees wax. You may substitute the bees wax with cut shellac (measured by weight) if you care. Test first. That three part mix was passed down from my Swedish grandfather a furniture maker and AB seaman.

Judging by the state of the wood, I say at least three coats, five or more preferred. No need to let it dry between coats. Maybe sand right before the very last coat. By then you'll be ready to start all again.

I would appreciate it if you keep us informed of your progress. Fair thee well.

[Richard5]

Originally Posted by Richard5

Simply the problem. Identify the mast. Set the mast. Later, after preparing the other spars for use (protective coatings, hardware, rigging), use the mast as a gin pole to set the other spars. That is, need not worry about nothing but the mast at this point. You can even slap some temporary rigging on the mast to get you going for right now.

You have a fine looking boat. I think you'll be using linseed oil by the barrel.
About that linseed oil. I have had great and long lasting success with a mixture of equal parts of boiled linseed oil, turpentine, real bees wax. You may substitute the bees wax with cut shellac (measured by weight) if you care. Test first. That three part mix was passed down from my Swedish grandfather a furniture maker and AB seaman.

Judging by the state of the wood, I say at least three coats, five or more preferred. No need to let it dry between coats. Maybe sand right before the very last coat. By then you'll be ready to start all again.

I would appreciate it if you keep us informed of your progress. Fair thee well.

Well, I fairly screwed that up. Avoid the shellac until after copious amounts of linseed has been soaked into the wood. And, NO open flames. And oil rags go into a metal tub with cover or filled with water (spontaneous ignition).