mast set up convertion

[cakeman]

being the new kid on the block I have many questions about my newly aquired DS1. ( of which I am having a great time so far )
The conversion of the thru hull mast set up verses the hinge mast system.
Is the convertion a tough one. and how do you start to go about it.
As the years go on I find it difficult to lift things in general let alone a 25 foot mast up and straight in a hole. Anyone have any pros or cons about the proceedure
Robert

[calden]

cakeman:

The best and most efficient way to get opinions about this is to do a search on this forum. I highly recommend first reading what has already been written. There has been a LOT of opinions about it.

I'll give you my short thoughts on it: I was in the same position as you and decided to cut my mast and put a hinge in. I don't race, and like the convenience of stepping it without any potential problems. Wasn't tough to do.

Carlos

[Roger]

The procedure is pretty basic, and the instructions come with the tabernacle. Do measure twice.

My last three boats have had hinged tabernacles. I would not have it any other way for easy of setup. Once you have done it a couple of times with someone else spotting you, you will feel confident enough to do it alone.

[algonquin]

Installing a tabernacle was the first mod I made on my DS1. It works super and takes the scariness out of stepping and unstepping the mast. Installation was not difficult. I did put a clamp around the mast just under the deck to keep the lower mast section from rising up through the deck as you step the mast. Make sure to lower the mast step located on your keel (sole?) plate before raising or lowering the mast so there is no tension on the stays. Side stays can be left in place and help to center the mast as you raise it.

[navahoIII]

Where does one get a hinged tabernacle?

[Roger]

right here...

http://www.drmarine.com/proddetail.asp?prod=DS208

[navahoIII]

Thanks, Roger!

[Tom Kearns]

I have a DS with the tabernacle installed on the top of the cuddy...the hinge arangement...my jib sheets get caught on the tabernacle almost every time we come about...any suggestions on how this can be taken care of?

[Roger]

I had the same issue. Short of eliminating the problem by making a guard or sheath or knocking off all of the sharp corners that catch the sheet, you can reduce the odds of the sheets catching by not letting go of the working sheet until you are passing head through wind, then allowing the jib to snap over to the other side, while as quickly as possible haul in the new working sheet to set the jib. In my experience the snappier the tack the less likely the sheet would catch that corner. I even tried duct taping the pin but there were just so many sources for entanglement. I suspect that a cloth shield over the front of the tabernacle might solve the problem.

I have a similar issue with the shrouds and the jibsheet on my current boat. I am solving that issue by placing a plastic golf club protector over the lower part of the shroud.

I notice other sailors on other boats have similar issues with cowl vents, and other gear mounted near or forward of the mast. When I ask them how they deal with it, they all have the same answer; a snappy tack. It is inevidable however that at some point a line will catch somewhere, and it becomes necessary to go forward and set it free.

[Daniel Westfall]

I have found that if you take a piece of hot water line foam insulation that is split down the middle and cut it to wrap around the tabernacle and secure it with Velcro, it will help. (Secure it on the back side of the hinge assembly) Simple to put on and take off.

[crawford]

I took a piece of rubber, a little thinner than I use for CB gasket, and glued on a strip of webbing with a snap like on a backpack. I snap it around the mast a few inches above the tabernacle. Then I let it hang over the tabernacle. The lower end reaches to the cuddy top and is either tucked in at the hole where the mast goes through, or snapped with another snap. I like the tucking. It keeps the "shield" from turning around, exposing those sharp angles.
This piece of rubber is rectangular, about 9 inches around and a foot high.

[Tom Kearns]

We have solved the problem of the jib sheets getting tangled on the mast tabernacle. First we moved the jib and main sail haliyard cleats off of the mast and installed jam cleats on the deck. I have installed a rubber dock post guard around the tabernacle...did this three weeks ago and it works great.

Tom Kearns