HA 18 hinged mast

[ckpars]

I have an HA18 with a unique hinged mast. I am looking for suggestions on how to safely raise and lower the mast while on the water as I have 2 bridges to clear before open water.

I tried to include phtos but was unable to
  Any suggestions?

Chuck

 

[Adam]

Hi Chuck - It's usually called a tabernackle Mast. I've never used one on the water and I've always had the suspicion they "ain't" as easy as they look to use in that manor on a catboat. I recomend asking the folks at the Trailor Sailor Catboat site - tabernackles seem to be very popular with that group:

http://bbs.trailersailor.com/forums/catboat/index.cgi

[Adam]

Some more info for you folks - Marshall Marine just re-did their site (quite nice) and they have a whole page dedicated to Tabernacles. They state they will be putting up a video of one in use shortly.
http://www.marshallcat.com/html/tabernacle_mast1.html

[ckpars]

Update, I contacted SSMR rigging of St Petersburg Fl and they designed an A frame system that I can raise and lower the mast from the cockpit of the boat.  I am in the process of finishing some work on the boat and hope to be on the water soon.