Which way do the hoops go

Discussion in 'Wooden Boat Building and Restoration' started by weheritage, Jun 20, 2005.

  1. weheritage
    Joined: Feb 2005
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    Location: Eastern Shore Mobile Bay

    weheritage Junior Member

    Well I'm just about ready to step my mast and a perplexing question comes up regarding which way the hoops go on the mast. Does the open part of the fixture on the hoop go up or down?
     

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  2. jehardiman
    Joined: Aug 2004
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    jehardiman Senior Member

    Move this to the wooden boat forum (www.woodenboat.com, under misc boat related) to get it answered as there a a good number of people familiar with gaff rigs and this type of stuff there.

    To me, something doesn't look right (besides the bolts in the hoops, the proud standing ends will tear the sails). mostly, as I recall, the bolt rope is sewn to the hoops so the fitting souldn't be up/down but left/right.
     
  3. gonzo
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    gonzo Senior Member

    To start with, hoops must be riveted. Those bolts sticking out will snag on things and also tear up the sail. All the hoops I ever used were sewn. I suppose that is what those fittings are for. Is that their original purpose or are they adapted from something else?
     
  4. weheritage
    Joined: Feb 2005
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    Location: Eastern Shore Mobile Bay

    weheritage Junior Member

    "Leeway" is a John Hanna designed ketch that was launched in 1942. The hoops that came with her when I got her had these original fittings that I transferred to new hoops. As I had stepped the masts for overland travel I thought it wise and prudent to replace the few broke or missing hoops but then I decided that this would be the time to replace all of them. I have determined that the female fittings that go on the hoops should be open to the sky. Bolts are more secure than rivets. The screw extensions (obvious) were removed shortly after the picture was taken.

    Thanks for your comments
     
  5. Bergalia
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    Bergalia Senior Member

    Nice legs...:D

    But do as Gonzo says. Get rid of those bolts and replace which countersunk or mushroom-head rivets, or you'll spend too much time patching your sails. And jehardiman has it right. (left to right).:(
     

  6. weheritage
    Joined: Feb 2005
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    Location: Eastern Shore Mobile Bay

    weheritage Junior Member

    Bergalia,

    Thanks for the reply. The bolts on the hoops are as smooth as a s baby's bottom.
    Have also determined that LEEWAY is a Hugh Angelman ketch. Built in 1942 for and by David E. Lee master carpenter for Wilmington Boat Works. the legs were built 4 years after the boat.

    weh
     
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