A Mast "Safety Stop" and Anchor Rode stop . .
Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 12:29 pmOrdinarily, the mast must be lowered if (for some reason) you want to lower the jib and forestay. This is occasionally convenient for any number of reasons while either afloat or on her trailer. In order to do this I have fabricated a “Mast Safety Stop” that is placed on top of the bow sprit and is just long enough to gently wedge between the breast hook and the forward face of the mast. It is easily removed so that the mast may be lowered.
Originally, I made this mast stop so that (with Tattoo on her trailer) I could hold the mast upright while slacking off the jib halyard. I wanted to do this so that I could flex the mast (aft) so as to allow (as much as possible) the tightening of the port & starboard mast shrouds. Even if I don’t need to slack off the jib halyard – I keep the stop in its functional place. It is not “in the way” of any sailing activity and provides a measure of safety if for any reason the jib halyard should give way or become loose from its cleat. On one occasion the jib halyard had “fouled” at the head of the jib when raising the mast. I didn’t discover that the halyard was fouled until the jib wouldn’t unfurl. With the mast stop in place and while on the water I was able to easily lower the jib & forestay in order to clear the fouled halyard without lowering the mast.
Notice that I have drilled two holes (side to side) in the bow sprit. As a safety measure, I carry two anchors. Also, as a safety measure, I have reeved the bitter end of each rode thru a hole in the bow sprit and secured it with a figure-8 stop knot. Now, if the rode "gets away from me" the anchor and rode will not be lost. The inboard part of the bow sprit is subject to little other than compression forces. The holes don't significantly reduce its required strength.
Originally, I made this mast stop so that (with Tattoo on her trailer) I could hold the mast upright while slacking off the jib halyard. I wanted to do this so that I could flex the mast (aft) so as to allow (as much as possible) the tightening of the port & starboard mast shrouds. Even if I don’t need to slack off the jib halyard – I keep the stop in its functional place. It is not “in the way” of any sailing activity and provides a measure of safety if for any reason the jib halyard should give way or become loose from its cleat. On one occasion the jib halyard had “fouled” at the head of the jib when raising the mast. I didn’t discover that the halyard was fouled until the jib wouldn’t unfurl. With the mast stop in place and while on the water I was able to easily lower the jib & forestay in order to clear the fouled halyard without lowering the mast.
- Mast Safety Stop propped up on bow sprit and anchor deck coaming . .
- DSCF2680.JPG (193.79 KiB) Viewed 2684 times
- Mast Safety Stop in place. Notice the bitter ends of the anchor rodes . .
- DSCF2682.JPG (192.44 KiB) Viewed 2706 times
Notice that I have drilled two holes (side to side) in the bow sprit. As a safety measure, I carry two anchors. Also, as a safety measure, I have reeved the bitter end of each rode thru a hole in the bow sprit and secured it with a figure-8 stop knot. Now, if the rode "gets away from me" the anchor and rode will not be lost. The inboard part of the bow sprit is subject to little other than compression forces. The holes don't significantly reduce its required strength.