Unstepping mast and relocating "stuff" on Albin 36

[saltwaternurse]

Hi All -
Well, after much hemming and hawing, I think I am going to unstep the mast on my 36. I live up river in Ft Lauderdale and between the five draw bridges (all 20 ft clearance or less) in a one mile stretch before I even get to the ICW, their rush hour closure schedule (3 hours/day) and the general chaos of occasional boaters vs HUGE commercial vessel traffic on the river (not unusual to end up in a train of 4-5 dancing and pirouetting 60+ footers and then little ole me, waiting for the tender to open the spans) has meant that taking the boat out is a major endeavor that requires lots of planning, nerves of steel and usually a large rum for the frazzled Cappy once anchored the other end!
I know that aesthetically, I'm unhappy with the decision, but practically - it's the right thing to do in order to get the boat off the dock more frequently. I don't have a staysail anyway and from what I hear, apart from looking salty, they don't really do a whole lot for stability. I have a round tv antenna and the anchor/steaming lights that I'll have to relocate. Finally the point of this - who has done this and where did you relocate the stuff to? Any suggestions very welcome. Thanks in advance - Capt. White Knuckles

[jleonard]

Cpt White, You could simply shorten the mast to give you the clearance you need and still keep your stuff mounted on the mast.
Alternative could be a mast/post mounted on the side like many powerboats have and locate your stuff there.

[joreyn]

Cap'n White. If you go on Yachtworld, there is a 36 in Gig Harbor, WA which has a shortened mast to allow for covered moorage.

Another alternative is to install a hinge in the mast (if it doesn't already have on). If you do install one, make sure it is above the level of your railings so they don't prevent lowering the mast.

On my former boat, a Grand Banks 32, the mast was hinged. The challenge was that it was solid wood and was heavy. I solved that challenge by getting a mat raising pole. The one I used is sold by McGregor sailboat dealers. It is an aluminum gin pole with a brake winch attached to it. I installed the pole right next to the mast and rigged a cleat on the the side of one of the forward bench seats on the flying bridge.

To use the system, I would tie a back stay to the cleat, and tie the rope from the winch halfway between the hinge and the top of the mast. I then used the winch to slowly lower the mast into a cradle I made for that purpose. Google "Mast raising system and you'll see how it works. Or go to http://www.macgregorsailboats.com/mast_raising.html
It's very easy to raise and lower the mast single-handed using this system.

[mike66]

Thnaks for that link. I've been struggling with my mast since I unstep it before shrinkwrapping. Usually takes three of us. This will be perfect. I may be able to rig up something similar. It was where to attach the line and get a decent pull angle that was eluding me. Now I know. Let you all know what I come up with.

[saltwaternurse]

Cpt White, You could simply shorten the mast to give you the clearance you need and still keep your stuff mounted on the mast.
Alternative could be a mast/post mounted on the side like many powerboats have and locate your stuff there.

JLeonard - thank you for your feedback...shortening would be preferable to removing - though I have to say, as I sit here and gaze out at her, I don't think I'm going to like how she looks either way. She's just so damn pretty the way she is...Hmmm...I think I'm going to have to revisit this again and just learn to suck it up and do the bridge dance with confidence! lol

[saltwaternurse]

Cap'n White. If you go on Yachtworld, there is a 36 in Gig Harbor, WA which has a shortened mast to allow for covered moorage.

Another alternative is to install a hinge in the mast (if it doesn't already have on). If you do install one, make sure it is above the level of your railings so they don't prevent lowering the mast.

On my former boat, a Grand Banks 32, the mast was hinged. The challenge was that it was solid wood and was heavy. I solved that challenge by getting a mat raising pole. The one I used is sold by McGregor sailboat dealers. It is an aluminum gin pole with a brake winch attached to it. I installed the pole right next to the mast and rigged a cleat on the the side of one of the forward bench seats on the flying bridge.

To use the system, I would tie a back stay to the cleat, and tie the rope from the winch halfway between the hinge and the top of the mast. I then used the winch to slowly lower the mast into a cradle I made for that purpose. Google "Mast raising system and you'll see how it works. Or go to http://www.macgregorsailboats.com/mast_raising.html
It's very easy to raise and lower the mast single-handed using this system.

I LOVE this lowering system idea - you know, like I said to JLeonard (sorry - don't know your first name if you're reading) I know I'm going to hate butchering her lines by taking the mast down. When cruising, once we clear the New River - the ICW isn't so bad through Miami and then you're in the Bay and most of the bridge dilemmas are solved. Maybe the radical approach is a bit extreme (must have been the adrenalin still coursing through my veins from the last hellish up River experience! It's clearly like childbirth, enough time elapses, and you forget how painful it is and do it again! lol) I will see about the mast lowering system...best of both worlds! Thank you - Jane

[jleonard]

IMG_6010.JPG

Here is how I lower my mast to what I call "half mast" to clear a 19 ft bridge. You may not be able to tell from this pic, but the mast is supported by two steel cable "extension cords" that hold the weight. The block and tackle is mounted to a pad eye in the the seat frame as high as I could get inside to tighten bolts
Lowering the rest of the way .from here is easy as well.

By the way I would cut my mast short in a heartbeat if the Admiral allowed it.