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19-04-2012, 17:38
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: San Diego, CA
Boat: Will be a 50' Cat
Posts: 382
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Possible to cut 6ft off a mast ??
Hi All...
Probably a really dumb question, but if your boat had a 70' mast and you wanted to be able to move up and down the East Coast USA ICW... and you needed to buy a new mail sail anyways... could you have 6 feet cut off the bottom of the mast? Just relocate the Boom etc... does anyone ever do this?
I assume you would cut the bottom but maybe it would be easier to cut the top ??
Or do they just try to sell the 70' Mast and buy a new shorter one ?
I understand I would be giving up sail area but figure in good wind it won't matter and in light winds I would just be motor sailing anyways...
Thoughts ?
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19-04-2012, 17:50
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Houston, TX
Boat: Beneteau 461 47'
Posts: 927
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http://www.break.com/index/how-to-ge...bridge-2158403
Save yourself the cash and hassle and try this instead - seen this done on a few occasions, though not on the ICW
__________________
"By day the hot sun fermented us; and we were dizzied by the beating wind. At night we were stained by dew, and shamed into pettiness by the innumerable silences of stars."
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19-04-2012, 17:51
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#3
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CF Adviser
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: sausalito
Boat: 14 meter sloop
Posts: 7,260
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Re: Possible to cut 6ft off a mast ??
Quote:
Originally Posted by capcook
I understand I would be giving up sail area but figure in good wind it won't matter and in light winds I would just be motor sailing anyways...
Thoughts ?
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Yes, you'll end up motoring in light winds anyways, but once you shorten the mast you'll probably be motoring in medium winds as well. Don't forget that the best breeze is the one furthest from the water.
The nice thing about having a boat with a big stick is that you're no longer needing to resort to the ICW. Get out there on the big water and blast to wherever you're heading.
__________________
cruising is entirely about showing up--in boat shoes.
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19-04-2012, 17:58
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Boat: 2017 Leopard 40
Posts: 2,661
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Re: Possible to cut 6ft off a mast ??
Don't ruin your boat's performance and value. If you really want to do this you should consult a pro rigger, but maybe you'd be happier if you sail outside or get a power boat.
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19-04-2012, 18:00
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Houston, TX
Boat: Beneteau 461 47'
Posts: 927
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bash
The nice thing about having a boat with a big stick is that you're no longer needing to resort to the ICW. Get out there on the big water and blast to wherever you're heading.
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Amen to that!
Incidentally, I met up with RainDog on Tuesday he mentioned that the biggest complaint he's heard about the ICW is that people feel like they're just motoring in an endless ditch!
If you're setup for open water, just go!
__________________
"By day the hot sun fermented us; and we were dizzied by the beating wind. At night we were stained by dew, and shamed into pettiness by the innumerable silences of stars."
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19-04-2012, 18:05
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#6
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Boat: Research vessel for a university, retired now.
Posts: 10,406
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Re: Possible to cut 6ft off a mast ??
Probably a bad idea but perhaps a smaller boat? I just thought I would throw the idea out there.
__________________
David
Life begins where land ends.
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19-04-2012, 18:09
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Hobart Australia
Boat: Catalina Morgan 45
Posts: 350
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Re: Possible to cut 6ft off a mast ??
CapCook...there is no such thing as a dumb question. Just questions.
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19-04-2012, 18:22
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#8
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: gettin naughty on the beach in cornwall
Boat: 63 custom alloy sloop,macwester26,prout snowgoose 37 elite catamaran!
Posts: 10,594
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Re: Possible to cut 6ft off a mast ??
dont they have mobile cranes in america,in europe when navigating the 150,000 miles of canals yachts just unstep the mast and lay it on deck....................
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19-04-2012, 18:28
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Boat: 34' Crowther tri sold 16' Kayak now
Posts: 5,067
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Re: Possible to cut 6ft off a mast ??
Occassionaly a boat comes up for sale where this has already been done and these boats always take a loooooooooooong time to sell. People just don't want a boat that has been made slower. Ever.
__________________
Slowly going senile but enjoying the ride.
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19-04-2012, 18:33
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#10
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Boat: Research vessel for a university, retired now.
Posts: 10,406
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Re: Possible to cut 6ft off a mast ??
Maybe cut the mast but get a sail with full battens and a large roach? Just an idea.
__________________
David
Life begins where land ends.
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19-04-2012, 18:43
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#11
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always in motion is the future
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: in paradise
Boat: Sundeer 64
Posts: 18,757
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Re: Possible to cut 6ft off a mast ??
*typing application for telescoping mast patent*
Nick.
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19-04-2012, 18:50
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Houston, TX
Boat: Beneteau 461 47'
Posts: 927
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Quote:
Originally Posted by s/v Jedi
*typing application for telescoping mast patent*
Nick.
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You could go for one of the Wherry designs from Norfolk, England which have the pivoting mast: the base has a pivot pin and the whole bottom of the mast contains counter-ballast so you can pull the whole mast down while running at a bridge then simply let it swing back up when you're under!
__________________
"By day the hot sun fermented us; and we were dizzied by the beating wind. At night we were stained by dew, and shamed into pettiness by the innumerable silences of stars."
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19-04-2012, 19:04
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,687
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Re: Possible to cut 6ft off a mast ??
I had a 37 foot Vandestat design that the builder cut 13 inches off of the mast because he screwed up and ordered the rigging a foot short. The boat never sailed very well and always had lee helm. I would not recommend modifying any rig from a reputable designer. 2 cents worth_____Grant.
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19-04-2012, 19:12
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Narragansett Bay
Boat: Able 50
Posts: 3,139
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Re: Possible to cut 6ft off a mast ??
Quote:
Originally Posted by s/v Jedi
*typing application for telescoping mast patent*
Nick.
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I was expecting a zip on/off roach.
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19-04-2012, 19:14
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#15
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CF Adviser
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: sausalito
Boat: 14 meter sloop
Posts: 7,260
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Re: Possible to cut 6ft off a mast ??
Quote:
Originally Posted by savoir
I was expecting a zip on/off roach.
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Nah. Inflatable roach works better.
__________________
cruising is entirely about showing up--in boat shoes.
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