Mast carriering solutions?

Discussion in 'Projects & Proposals' started by SpiritWolf15x, Apr 26, 2013.

  1. SpiritWolf15x
    Joined: Apr 2010
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    SpiritWolf15x Senior Member

    I'm not sure if this is in the right section, so Mods feel free to move this thread as you see fit.

    Hello everyone, I have a bit of a dilemma concerning how to carry my boat's mast. Currently the set I have now, which works perfectly fine has the mast extending into the bed of my truck for about 5 feet. (see picture) The problem I'm now facing is I have since purchased a truck bed camper and current mast carrying system wont work. I have thought about moving the mast back onto the trailer but I think 6 feet of overhang off the back of the trailer might be a tad illegal. I have also considered roof racks on the camper but that would require drilling into a perfectly solid and dry camper. I'm willing to drill into the bumpers and tailgate of my truck however.

    Does anyone have any ideas as to how I can safely carry my mast?

    Thanks,

    Rob

    [​IMG]

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  2. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
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    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    You have a few logical options, the first is to split the difference, carrying the stick on the boat, extending forward as far as possible, without fouling the tow vehicle and what hangs aft is whatever is left. Technically, as long as a red flag is on the overhanging mast, you're legal.

    Another option is carry it on the tow vehicle. A bumper mount will do, one at each end and a support to keep it from flopping around in the middle (duct tape some foam to the stick) would be nice. There are other possibilities too, so maybe a sketch at the kitchen table to see what room you have to play with is in order.
     
  3. michael pierzga
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    michael pierzga Senior Member

    Or chop and splice the top section of the mast...
     
  4. SpiritWolf15x
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    SpiritWolf15x Senior Member

    I'll take some measurements today.

    I'm not going through that again...
     
  5. TeddyDiver
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    TeddyDiver Gollywobbler

    Open the camper door ;)
     
  6. SpiritWolf15x
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    SpiritWolf15x Senior Member

    Here are pictures of where I can attach structure to on my truck.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    My bumper is metal under the plastic covering.
     
  7. alan white
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    alan white Senior Member

    one solution would be to carry the mast in rope slings. One sling hanging from an A frame on the boat, the other on the truck camper top. The rope sling will make a kind of universal joint allowing the mast to pivot at each end. Then the mast will more or less average the angle between the truck and the trailer.
     
  8. Petros
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    Petros Senior Member

    mount some brakets on the side of the camper just above camper window level. this will clear the door and windows and will only affect the camper. when the camper is not on the truck you can carry it on your trailer like you currently do.

    Or get a shorter mast?
     
  9. kaamaman
    Joined: Jan 2009
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    kaamaman Junior Member

    Thats what I would do..2 J hooks on the side of the camper.

    Neat little tri.."Gizmo"..what design is it? Looks like a lot of fun to sail!!!
     
  10. Steve W
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    Steve W Senior Member

    I carried a large section 38ft mast on my truck last year, i installed a front receiver hitch and welded up a bracket out of 2 inch square tube which supported the front end then supported the mast on a rack on the cab and the topper. In your case the front mount and a pair of bars on the camper and your good to go, I wouldn't worry about putting a rack on the camper, we bed hardware on boat decks all the time for Christ sake and they don't leak. My guess is your mast is only about 30ft and a small, light section so should not be too much of a problem getting it up there.

    Steve.
     
  11. brenno
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    brenno Junior Member

    I have a Haines Hunter Tramp or Eagle Trimaran and got around this by mounting the mast on higher brackets. This keeps the boat as one unit when unhitched. It also means I don't hit my head when working near the boat.
     
  12. SpiritWolf15x
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    SpiritWolf15x Senior Member

    Do you have pictures of that set up?
     
  13. SpiritWolf15x
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    SpiritWolf15x Senior Member

    I've debated that but I worry for width restrictions though, if I'm still under 8.5 feet it "should" be legal.

    It is an early Kurt Hughes design, the prototype design to his current 16' day sailor. Currently she is the only one on the west coast (maybe even all of Canada)
     
  14. upchurchmr
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    upchurchmr Senior Member

    No suggestions, I think the options are covered.
    But like Kaamaman I would like to know about Gizmo.

    Personally I like the hooks on the side of the camper, how to find structure to support is a big question - or perhaps can you find enough structure.
     

  15. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
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    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    I don't like the mast on the camper thing, though it's easy, it really limits turning radius and makes the tow vehicle "encumbered". The mast belongs to the boat, so you can park, unhitch and have each "unit" as what they are, one is a vehicle, the other a complete boat and sticks assembly.

    A couple of tall stands on the boat or trailer will do, preferably well in from the ends, to reduce mast "pumping" while over the road. You'll easily remain below the 12' - 13' overpass heights, seen on US roads. Again the advantage is you can unhitch, drive to Burger King for a snack, without having to figure out what to do with the mast.
     
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