Demountable Mast for 45' Catamaran

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by CatBuilder, Jul 13, 2010.

  1. CatBuilder

    CatBuilder Previous Member

    Does anyone have any advice as to how to obtain a mast that can be lowered (temporarily) on a 45' catamaran?

    The air draft of the boat is 65 feet of so (estimate, plans not open in front of me). The mast has a curve aft near the top and uses one of those fully battened mains, like modern cats do.

    I'd like to be able to lower the mast to make it under low bridges, then raise it back up once inside somewhere. There is an enormous amount of shallow, protected and private anchorages behind low bridges in the world and I'd like to be able to explore these with me 1'8" draft.

    What are the best systems?

    I can imagine a pin in the mast and a pivot on that pin... other ideas?:?:
     
  2. hoytedow
    Joined: Sep 2009
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    hoytedow Carbon Based Life Form

    Put the mast on a pivot like an elbow so that the top,or palm, would face down over the stern as the mast was downwinched from the bow. The jib-stay could be the winch line holding the mast up until it is locked into place.
     
  3. hoytedow
    Joined: Sep 2009
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    hoytedow Carbon Based Life Form

    Drawing I will do later.
     
  4. CatBuilder

    CatBuilder Previous Member

    Thanks, Hoyt.

    Don't draw it yet though!

    The mast would have to go down over the bow, winched from the stern because there is a deckhouse in the way aft of the mast. Also, I could put a nice little cradle in for it on the cross tube that connects the bows together, forward of the trampolines on cats.
     

  5. outside the box

    outside the box Previous Member

    Mast lowering system

    Hi there
    PM me as we have a system we use on our catamaran that might work.
     
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