R22 Discussion Group

Hello,

David,

I'm with Jerry on this one. Having the height of the mast crutch makes  
raising and lowering much easier. Like with everything on a R22, Stan has a  
reason for building it the way he does. That guy is a genius.

Rummy

In a message dated 5/27/2012 2:11:03 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
cjlowe at sssnet.com writes:

David,
I've towed with the mast setting on the stern rail  several times,before I
bought the mast raising system (with the included  mast carrier.) The
problems start when you get to the water and start to  rig. I believe the
system was made to work as a system. With the mast on  the carrier,the
angle of the mast makes the hoist work MUCH easier,as the  mast is being
pulled up,more than it is being pulled forward. With the mast  resting on
the stern rail,the forces are much different,the mast hoist has  to pull
the mast forward a lot harder to get it to start to raise. This  puts alot
more stress on everything involved,such as the forward  chainplates,the
forward cleat,the mast hoist and line,the "foot" that the  hoist mounts
to,but most worrysome,the mast step. The mast step is made to  pull out if
something goes really wrong.On a new boat there should be  plenty of
strength there.But with every year of use and/or not knowing what  a PO has
done in that concern,your odds of success get less and less. I  know I
wouldn't want to be cranking the winch,trying to get the mast off  the
stern rail,when the mast step let loose. One more thing,it's alot  easier
to handle the mast bundle with the roller on the mast carrier. The  next
one more thing,it's easier to get things out of the cabin with the  mast
more out of the way.

At least ,thats the way I see  it.YMMV.

Jerry Lowe

Country  Rhodes

The Rhodes 22 Discussion Group

R22RumRunner at aol.com

Mast Stowage During Towing