DIY Onboard Mast Stepping System
On a beautiful spring day, I head down to the local Marina to visit my old buddy Gerry on his Mirage 27. Gerry has graciously offered to demonstrate his own design for a Single-Handed, Complete, On-Deck Mast Stepping Contraption. (SHCODMSC)
While the concept of Gin-Pole and Winch isn’t new, I haven’t personally seen a complete system this comprehensive, truly single-handed and scalable. Not to mention; It’s a half hour, drama-free and casual process, without rushing. Imagine the benefits if one was considering the Great Loop, Trent-Severn, or any of the European waterways.
Components
From my own perspective, it’s the well thought-through design of the four individual components that make the entire system work so flawlessly and near effortlessly. While the parts may look expensive, when you ask a local metals wholesaler for materials pricing, (Marine grade aluminum is strongly recommended) and the nearest aluminum welder for the labor cost, you may be positively surprised. I wouldn’t skimp on material thickness. It seems to me, that the “Heavy Duty” construction is a part of why it operates smoothly.
Tabernacle
The hinged Tabernacle is what allows the mast to swing in place. In this case it’s bolted directly to the existing mast step. If you have a Mast step that requires lifting of the mast, it will need to be modified or replaced. (a great opportunity to get a tabernacle with lots of accommodations for blocks.)
Once the mast is in place, a second bolt (Not yet inserted in this picture.) and bow-ward pin, lock the mast in it’s erect position.
For a much larger boat, the “side plates” could be longer and attached to the deck, perhaps in addition to the step. On my own pilothouse sailboat I envision a 3 foot tall tabernacle with the hinge near the top.
Gin Pole
While the two-piece design aids in handling, it’s the two ends that are interesting. Particularly the mast end which securely grasps the mast in a tight grip without any permanent modification to the mast itself.
The other end has two well separated sides with attachment points for the winch on one and for dual halyards on the other.
In the center we find a simple “lock” to prevent the two halves from separating as the Gin pole approaches horizontal.
Stern Roller
Humble in appearance but mighty in function. The stern contraption does more than support the mast when stored on deck. The guided roller is what facilitates a single person to near effortlessly relocate the entire mast by some 10 feet or so.
Since the bulk of required support is lateral, as long as it sits on a suitable base area, the stern railing is more than capable of supporting against the slight horizontal forces.
Quick setup and removal is obviously a consideration as well. In this case removal one of the lower boards that clamp around the stern railing, followed by a couple inches of lift, is all it takes.
A rubber “tire” caster makes for a smooth roller. For a heavier mast, side rollers could be incorporated in the design.
Bow Winch
Gerry’s initial prototype utilized a hand-crank winch. Similar to one you would find on a boat trailer. While this works, in this particular case, should reversing be required, the path to “reverse” went through “neutral” and at some point the mast dropped a couple feet or so.
The New, Improved, XTR3000 model incorporates a powerful 2-speed electric winch securely bolted to a stunning walnut veneer..?!$ (sorry… old habits… former sales guy…) bolted to a wood frame.
To remove, unlock and lift the front. Slide back to release the frame from the bow line cleats.
Each component is made exactly to perform a particular function. Each one useful on it’s own, but the entire system is a great example of “The whole is greater than the sum of it’s parts”. Other than a couple of literal snags, (Stays, Halyards, which theoretically could have been avoided, but rarely are) the entire process was smooth and surprisingly effortless. Snags included; – Less than half an hour passed from the top left picture to the top right picture.