singlehanding TY under a bridge

[Dale Mills]

Today I singlehanded my Ty Weekender, Micah Bree, under the bridge I have to clear going from and coming to my berth. High tide, 19 feet from water to concrete. It was scary; the mast is much less than secure at that angle. I rigged an extension for the headstay and used the jib halyard, so it’s pretty secure fore-and-aft, but has quite a bit of lateral play. I snugged a line from the bottom of the mast to the foredeck cleat, which helped keep it from slipping out of it’s slots. Once I’d cleared the bridge I tied up to an end tie and rigged for sail. Coming back, the whole routine backwards.

So now I’ve done it, and it works, but it’s far from elegant or easy or quick. My sailboat guru here says I should replace the whole tabernacle system with one that lowers forward, and I’m considering it, despite the expense and a desire to keep the boat more or less original.

Has anyone here solved this particular problem effectively? I asked a couple weeks ago, but I asked the wrong question, and got the appropriate answer.

Thanks

Dale



dmills@pattilylesproductions.com

[Rick Rosenberger]

The obvious question would be "would it not be cheaper to find a mooring or slip that does not involve sailing under a low bridge?" If not and your set on lowering your mast twice a day, Maybe if you want it to lower foward you could reverse the base fitting. However this may and probably will introduce other problems. Or even change the base to the type on the CD25 Rig Rite PN K-1264 Hinged Mast Plate Assembly. This is the part for typhoon mast.Or from dwyer aluminum mast company pn D 2140H HINGED STEP their price is $52.30. I beleive the web adresses are here on the board under where to look. If not drop me a message and I'll send you a link.

Rick
Typhoon Second Wind #727



r.rosenberger@valpeyfisher.com

[Marino Curati]

Wow, that ordeal sounds not only like a tremendous pain in the "arse" but dangerous as well. What happens when a power boat flies by without looking (as they are prone to do) and wakes you with the mast half up? When I chose the Typhoon, it was because I had certain criteria the boat had to meet to be right for me, my budget and the conditions on Lake Erie. The Ty fit.

If I had to sail under a fixed bridge, I would have looked for a gaff rigged sloop or a cat boat with a short mast that would fit under the bridge. It's just my opinion, but I think if you do that lowering procedure long enough an accident is likely.

Marino Curati
Ty #74 Snug
Cleveland

[Olli Wendelin]

Dale,

My recommendation is to install a boom gallows. ABI sells the parts to make a classical teak and bronze one. Then lower the mast fully before going under the bridge. This is the classical approach in areas with canals and fixed bridges. Partial lowering seem like an accident waiting to happen. You can rig a whisker pole on the mast to give your jib halyard a better angle for lowering.

Olli Wendelin
BLUE MOON
Charleston, SC



wendelin@spawar.navy.mil