A few specs & instructions - this for my 2014):

2x3s (2 needed): 84” length but cut to suit

U-bolts (4 needed):

     1/4” u-bolt x 2” (outside width) 1 1/2” (inside width)  x 3 1/2” outside length

PVC Pipe for roller:

- inner pipe 1” nominal schedule 40 (1 1/2” outside diameter fits inside width of u-bolt) - mine is 33” length but cut to suit

- outer roller pipe 2” nominal sched 40 - mine is 9.5” length but cut to suit

Build instructions:

- notch the 2x3 bottoms (for 2014.  My ‘86 requires no notch as the 2x3s sit inside the transom, after end of seat)

- position 2x 3s and drill hole for bolt at center of X. This bolt stays fastened.
- drill 5/16”  holes for u-bolts to clamp to stern rail.

- mark location of u-bolts for roller. Don’t make too high as mast must be lifted up onto it.  Take down and drill 5/16” holes for u-bolts and install. These bolts stay fastened.

Each time you use it:

-  slide 2x3s into place, bolt to stern rail and slide inner and outer pvc pipe pieces on.

Larry

> On Sep 30, 2023, at 5:14 PM, Larry Gioia <lgioia at yahoo.com> wrote:
> 
> Here’s a pic.  Note that I only use this for raising & lowering the mast, not for trailering.  
> Also, my 1986 Rhodes in Tampa doesn’t have a gin pole so I wrap a line around the bow and tie it to form a loop, and use a chainfall hooked to the loop at the lower end and to the 2 usual forwardmost sidestays at the upper end, to raise and lower the mast. 
> 
> When raising, I first lift the mast to the crutch from the gunwale by myself standing on the after seat. Note that the 2x3s extend slightly above the roller to hold the mast in place before raising & after lowering. 
> 
> Larry
> <image0.jpeg>
> 
> 
> 
> 
>> On Sep 30, 2023, at 11:32 AM, Larry Gioia <lgioia at yahoo.com> wrote:
>> 
>> For both of my Rhodes I made x-shaped crutches from 2 2x3’s with a single bolt in the center and ground out in a U shape at the bottom so they slide into both sides of the stern rail where it attaches to the transom. U-bolts fasten it to the top of the stern rail.  U bolts near the top hold a 1 1/2” pvc pipe piece horizontally, and a bigger pvc piece slides over it to make a roller. I alwYs raise & lower my mast in the water - works fine. I’ll send pics if interested.  I should have bought Stan’s crutch but didn’t realize I needed it. 
>> 
>> Larry
>> 2014 R22 Language of Love
>> Lake George NY
>> 
>> 
>>>> On Sep 29, 2023, at 12:11 PM, Tom Hyatt via Rhodes22-list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> I made a crutch from 2x4s that I actually sit on the ground behind the
>>> stern and tie to the stern rail. It works well but does not sit as high as
>>> one sitting inside the cockpit. However, it is plenty sturdy and especially
>>> resists lateral movement. Of course, it's useless if you are lowering or
>>> raising your mast while your boat is in the water. :-)
>>> 
>>> Tom Hyatt
>>> 
>>>> On Fri, Sep 29, 2023 at 10:33 AM Ric Stott <ric at stottarchitecture.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> The lintels can probably handle the compressive loads but without added
>>>> connections to the stern rail would most likely fail to handle the lateral
>>>> loads of the mast and sliding it forward and or aft. I would mount it on
>>>> the stern and lash it to the stern rail, the way GB designed it. It’s
>>>> simple , direct and easy.
>>>> Ric
>>>> Dadventure
>>>> 
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>> 
>>>>> On Sep 29, 2023, at 10:03 AM, peter beckerman via Rhodes22-list <
>>>> rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> Hi All,   Sad to say that summer is over and winter haul-out is fast
>>>> approaching :-(.  As I contemplate lowering my mast for the first time, and
>>>> wishing to avoid a repeat of the experience in raising the mast (another
>>>> story) I am planning on building a mast crutch to simplify the process (my
>>>> boat did not come with the GB mast raising system or a crutch).  My
>>>> question for all you experienced Rhodies is:  can I safely hang a mast
>>>> crutch and the weight of mast/boom/furler assembly on the pintles?  Are
>>>> they robust enough for this load?  I assume they are ( but you know what
>>>> happens when you assume).  What says the collective wisdom?  Note:  I only
>>>> plan to use this for raising/lowering, not for trailering/storage.
>>>>> Thanks all,     Peter
>>>>