A Gaff Bracket for convenient trailering . .
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 8:29 pmI've extended the length of the gaff on my PocketShip by about 8" so that it may rest on the gallows. However, when the mast is lowered, the gaff must be removed from the mast. So, where to put it?
Well, the aft end is layed over the gallows and belayed to the mast which is now resting in the very short crutch that straddles the boom. And for the forward end I constructed a Gaff Bracket. It is (for transport only) attached to the aft side of the tabernacle using a 5/16" thumb screw and a 1/2" dowel. There is a "nail" bolt that is installed to the forward side of the tabernacle into which the thumb screw is attached. This holds the bracket tight against the tabernacle. The bracket is kept from rotating by the dowel which goes into a 1/2" hole drilled into the tabernacle.
The bracket has installed on it a short piece of "sail track" onto which are slid the gaff's throat goosneck and 4 sail "cars." This "contraption" holds the forward end steady for trailering. The sail & gaff cover can also be wrapped around the bracket just as if were a mast.
Well, the aft end is layed over the gallows and belayed to the mast which is now resting in the very short crutch that straddles the boom. And for the forward end I constructed a Gaff Bracket. It is (for transport only) attached to the aft side of the tabernacle using a 5/16" thumb screw and a 1/2" dowel. There is a "nail" bolt that is installed to the forward side of the tabernacle into which the thumb screw is attached. This holds the bracket tight against the tabernacle. The bracket is kept from rotating by the dowel which goes into a 1/2" hole drilled into the tabernacle.
The bracket has installed on it a short piece of "sail track" onto which are slid the gaff's throat goosneck and 4 sail "cars." This "contraption" holds the forward end steady for trailering. The sail & gaff cover can also be wrapped around the bracket just as if were a mast.