Lowering the hinged mast on Pen-Hir

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Most of my designs of gaff-rigged cabin sailers are fitted with a tabernacle, allowing raising and lowering the mast. On the smaller boats, Stir-Ven 19, Jewell, Beniguet, the mast may be raised without difficulties, provided a good preparation. But on the larger ones, Meaban and mostly Pen-Hir, whose bare mast weight 30 kg, and much more with fittings, shrouds and halyards, it is much more tricky. Without some specific equipment, three people are required. Step by step, I have developed a rig to do the job single-handed, which is useful by this lockdown period! This improves also the safety, as this kind of manoeuvre is risky. A crew is still better, but not essential, at least to move the mast when down on deck.

This Post Has 3 Comments

  1. Cody

    Very helpful. I am about to acquire an Atkin New Sister. 26ft Sitka mast.

    Hoping to be able to up and down rig it with my GF.

    These really clarify and give me ideas

  2. Peter Mumford

    This is pure brilliance. Beautifully engineered.

  3. Peter Tatarinov

    Thanks for sharing that! Great tip on keeping the shrouds tension by changing their fixing point!

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