How much does my mast weigh?

[GILow]

Hi Cruisers,

I am planning to remove our mast this year, give it a bit of long overdue TLC.

The yard master looked a bit nervous when I mentioned this, started talking about hiring a crane truck. I was surprised as I thought our crane was more than adequate. I don't actually know what it is rated for, though I know it is written clearly on the crane, but I have driven past it for five years now and I have not actually registered the number.

The yard master was helping me climb the mast at the time, and I admit that from the deck our mast seems a pretty substantial thing, but it is not particularly long, only 50 feet, which makes it pretty much at the shorter end of the scale in our row of boats. The rigging is reasonably robust, double spreaders, 10mm cap and 8mm intermediate shrouds. Dual 10mm forestay, 8mm inner stay (staysail), 8mm running backstays and 10mm fore and aft lower shrouds. So a bit of stainless steel cable weight to manage, plus the weight of the sparcraft furler on one of the two forestays.

The mast is an oval profile, probably around 1 foot wide, 1.5 feet fore and aft, aluminium. Fitted in about 1980, and chosen by someone who valued robustness over performance, but no indication of brand.

It has two wire halyard winches attached, plus two reasonably hefty Cleveco 24 rope halyard winches.

Does anyone want to hazard a guess at what all this might weigh? Very roughly?

Matt

[GordMay]

The MetalMast 14481 Mast Section (8.1" x 14.4") weighs in at 13.44 lbs/Ft. (672# @ 50'); so I'd guess something North of 1,000 Lbs overall.
➥ MetalMast Performance Mast Sections

[Orion Jim]

"Our crane" should have a spec. plate affixed to the unit which will indicate the lifting capacity as specified by the manufacturer. I'm presuming that Australia has Federal Safety Regulations similar to the U.S.. One should never have to speculate what a cranes lifting capacity is, that is how people are killed.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Jim Walsh

"Our crane" should have a spec. plate affixed to the unit which will indicate the lifting capacity as specified by the manufacturer. I'm presuming that Australia has Federal Safety Regulations similar to the U.S.. One should never have to speculate what a cranes lifting capacity is, that is how people are killed.

Yes, I said it did have that information. I am trying to figure out if our mast comes in under that specification.

[Cheechako]

Your mast is 1.5 feet by 1 ft on a 42 ft boat? really?

[GILow]

Originally Posted by GordMay

The MetalMast 14481 Mast Section (8.1" x 14.4") weighs in at 13.44 lbs/Ft. (672# @ 50'); so I'd guess something North of 1,000 Lbs overall.
➥ MetalMast Performance Mast Sections

Ouch! Thanks GordMay. Hmmm... the fact that none of their listed sections are as big as I believe our mast to be tells me I need better measurements. I know our mast is a sturdy old thing but I would have thought there were larger cross sections.

Either way, I can see why the yardmaster seemed nervous now.

Matt

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Your mast is 1.5 feet by 1 ft on a 42 ft boat? really?

I am starting to think I got that wrong. It's a solid looking thing, but clearly not that solid. I'll measure it properly this time, you know, using a measuring tape.

Matt

[Wotname]

Best guess - less than a tonne. Surely the yard crane can lift a tonne but will it reach high enough? Most of us prefer to lift from near the top of the mast

[Factor]

If you measure it, give me metric dimensions and I will calculate it for you, I refuse to use a measuring system that was replaced in Australia 40-50 years ago.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Factor

If you measure it, give me metric dimensions and I will calculate it for you, I refuse to use a measuring system that was replaced in Australia 40-50 years ago.

I know, I know, but the fact is the bulk of the CF members are US based, so... when in Rome...

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Wotname

Most of us prefer to lift from near the top of the mast

Yes, that may be the real concern. I think the yard master assumed it was taller than it is because it is so thick. When you stand at the base of the thing it gives the impression of being enormous, it's not till you stand back and compare it to the boats around it that you realise it is quite short.

(Also, the poor bugger had just helped me climb the mast for the first time and given how long it took me he could be forgiven for thinking the mast was 100 feet (30.48 meters) long.)

Matt

[rgscpat]

What model boat?
Picture?

[GILow]

Originally Posted by rgscpat

What model boat?
Picture?

Swanson 42 as per profile. This photo is from front on, so does not convey the size well, but it is all I have.

[44'cruisingcat]

If that's a normal winch handle pocket on the mast, there's no way it's a foot wide...


It looks like it might be a similar section to mine, which is a 235mm deep section and about 8kg per metre. ( http://www.whalespars.com/ )Take the sails and boom off, the remaining rig would likely weigh somewhat less than 200kg.

[44'cruisingcat]

What can make a big difference in the size of crane required is how close the crane can get to the boat. When I stepped our rig, the crane needed to reach a fair way out over the water, so we needed a fairly big crane. If we could have gotten the crane right alongside the boat, a little Franna would have been adequate.