[Public-List] Hinged Mast Step

[Michael]

Keeper of the A Frame sounds like a character description in a George 
Lucas prequel.

------ Original Message ------
From: "Mike Lehman via Public-List" <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
To: "Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all" 
<public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
Cc: "Mike Lehman" <mlehman at gmail.com>
Sent: 12/28/2017 11:42:18 AM
Subject: Re: [Public-List] Hinged Mast Step

>The Alberg 30 Association has an A-frame for removing the mast. I am 
>the
>keeper of the a-frame and have removed and installed about 50 masts 
>with
>it. The ideal number of people to operate it is 3. It takes about an 
>hour+
>to set it up and only minutes to lower or raise a mast. Detailed
>instructions are on the website at
>http://www.alberg30.org/maintenance/SparsSailsRigging/UnsteppingMast/9-TakeDownMast.html
>.
>
>
>
>On Thu, Dec 28, 2017 at 10:05 AM, Wes Gardner via Public-List <
>public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
>
>>Hi Gerard,
>>
>>Would you consider just building the A frame as you’ve suggested and
>>leaving everything else the same? I know some of the folks here on the 
>>East
>>coast have such an arrangement...I think it DOES Require more than one
>>person.
>>
>>Wes
>>
>>
>>Sent from my iPad
>>
>> > On Dec 27, 2017, at 11:37 PM, Gerard Kuperus via Public-List <
>>public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
>> >
>> > Hello all,
>> >
>> >
>> > Inspired by Yves Gelinas (as well as by my fear of heights) I am
>>thinking about installing a hinged mast base. It would allow me to 
>>inspect
>>once in a while and to do maintenance or solve problems up there. I 
>>would
>>use an A-Frame (two 10' galvanized pipes bolted together) attached to 
>>the
>>forestay or jib halyard, take the front lowers off, and ease some 
>>tension
>>on the uppers (I guess) and slowly lower with a block and tackle 
>>(possibly
>>the mainsheet). I am sure some of you have a system set up, so here 
>>are my
>>questions:
>> >
>> > - the existing baseplate (the aluminum piece on which the mast sits) 
>>is
>>rather large. I found Ballenger makes hinged mast steps, with a 
>>topplate
>>that is 8" x 5.5" (see http://ballengerspars.com/) .This looks like a
>>sturdy unity with the top and base plates on top of one another, but 
>>how do
>>I attach the alluminum base to this (mine is the standard one with 4 
>>big
>>bolts). Having the nuts under the topplate would make it 
>>non-functional.
>> >
>> > - If I could somehow figure out how to attach these (or get another 
>>mast
>>base that can be screwed on) it seems that the hinge should be as 
>>close to
>>the mast as possible. If the pivot point is far aft the shrouds would 
>>need
>>to be loosened quite a bit (since the mast would first go up). Or do I 
>>not
>>get that right?
>> >
>> > - So, it seems I need a smaller mast base. Ballenger does have a 
>>smaller
>>hinged mast step. Not sure where I can find a mast base for a 6 x 3.6
>>extrusion, but I am sure it is out there.
>> >
>> > - Another option is the hinge made by Dwyer (see for example here:
>>http://www.downwindmarine.com/Dwyer-Hinged-Mast-Plates-
>>Stainless-Steel-p-90890668.html). Now the biggest one is 6.5. The 
>>Alberg
>>30 mast would just fit on that.
>> >
>> > - A custom option is possible, but I think Ballenger makes a pretty
>>solid product.
>> >
>> >
>> > Any thoughts on my thoughts? Would I be right in getting a smaller 
>>mast
>>base and then go for a hinged mast step that is about 6.5 x 4?
>> >
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> >
>> >
>> > Gerard
>> >
>> > Skye Mist
>> >
>> > San Francisco Bay Area
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
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>
>
>
>--
>Mike Lehman
>~~~_/)_/)~~_/)~~~
>_______________________________________________
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