Mast building

Hi all,
Just wondering about what I need to know about building a new mast, I already have the section as it came with the boat when I bought it. Firstly, who do I buy the spreaders off? (I want the best ones) also the fittings at the bottom and would someone be able to send me a diagram and or picture of their mast and it's measurement. Thanks

where are you based?

Bellarine peninsula. I will be going to sauna sail so I can collect items there if necessary..

I've got an old mozzie mast under my house in the dandenongs your welcome to if you want to rip fittings off it.

You can buy most of the fittings from AHPC and they will post or they will probably be at the Sauna Sail. Also Matt that lurks here makes spreaders and possibly some other bits as well and will also be at Sauna Sail.

As far as mesurements just go to National Mossie site - Documents and Download Building Rules and Restrictions it's all there. Can't find any specific pics of rigging on masts, you should be able to take some at Sauna Sail.

That would be fantastic. Would you happen to be attending sauna sail?
As far as fittings go, what do other people tend to use??
Thanks

Not going to Sauna at this stage (too much business travel for it to be politically correct). But if you want it I'll send it with someone from my club.

There are photos in this album:

Mosquito Rigging

Sadly I don't see much detail of the bit between the boom and the mast foot, which is where is all happens.

A general guide is to keep it simple.

There will be plenty of Mosquitoes to see and talk to at the Sauna Sail.

Most use fixed alloy spreaders, some have just started using adjustable (proctor style) spreaders from AHPC. Most use AHPC halyard lock. Pretty much everything else varies, matter of what mast you pull them off

That would be really awesome, I'd really appreciate it. Thank you!
I was just wondering about the halyard lock, as I continuously struggle to get mine unhooked, is there a technique??
Cheers
Harry

Ok coming your way is one fully rigged old mozzie mast. I'll talk to a few people on Sunday and let you know who to look up to collect it.

With your halyard lock you probably have the knot on the wrong side. Lay the boat over and have a play with the knot in different locations and/or get Gary and Tim to sort it out at sauna sail.

hi all,

at this stage i may not be able to make it to sauna sail, but im going to push for it, hobie or mossie i dont want to miss it,

i do make the alloy spreaders, mast hook, spanner rotation, and goose neck. the top hook is a piece of 3mm stainless bent to the shape of the side of mast, riveted on with the hook in the center of track, and goes on good and comes off better, i also make the ring/ shackle for the halyard lock.

Matt

Haz. Duralac is that tube of goo you want for your stainless and aluminum fittings. It comes in a white tube with yellow stripe for about $30 and will last you forever. I lay all my fittings and rivets on a board and painted any surface that touches ali to ali or ali to ss (different grades of ali are just as corrosive). Let it dry and then bed all rivets and fittings in a generous amount of sikaflex when you put them together.
Sounds like over kill but every failure I have seen on old boats and ships has involved electrolysis. It will also make it easier to waterproof your mast section.

does any one have advise to get a mozzie mast up by your self as I have trouble when the mast is laying down I find it hard to the pin in that holds the mast as the triangle bit that contolls the mast rotation is leaning on agains the trampso I find I need someone to hold the other of mast to get the pin in also find it hard to pull the mast up by my self any surggestions welcome

can any one help with how to get mast up by my self as when the mast is laying down I carnt get the pin in by myself as the the triangle thing that controls the mast rotation is hitting the tramp so I find need someone to help me get the pin in &to stand the mast up as well all advice welcome

I have never used a bracket of any kind, I lay the mast forward, under the tramp (mast base at about the rear beam), attach all the stays and trap wires on with the forestay loose, pull the mast forward and lift over your shoulder you can use the dolphin striker for support if required, stand the mast vertical on the ground between the hulls a few inches from the main beam, lift straight up (very important unless you are superman)(i hold onto the mast low down so when I am standing straight the base of the mast is at beam height) and place on the base of the mast in the cup on the beam,then tension rig as required. To take down, just reverse the process. No standing on boats or assistance required!

never seen anyone do it that way Ross ..... might give it a try !


For me is lay the mast on the tramp with the mast base about a foot past the bridal mounting points.
Sling the bridal over the mast.
Attach side shrouds and trap wires.
Pick up mast at the rear beam and walk up the centre of the tramp pushing the mast as I go.
Once the mast reaches ~30degrees the base rises up and is held by the bridal.... as you continue to push forward the base comes back down as the mast heads upwards

step off the tramp and the base is on the ground and the mast is verticle.

lift the mast via the rotation arm and place it into the mast-step whilst 'pulling the mast fowards'

one hand on the mast to steady it and the other hand takes the front shroud forward .... release the mast and keeping a firm grip on the front shroud reach for the bridal and then tie it

reversal for dropping the mast




One Idea I saw many years ago.....
the owner had a 4" pipe that was about 8" long and had the bottom plated off. A solid gate hinge and 2 bent "hooks" made a simple method of attaching it to the front beam.

the mast base was simply poked into the pipe and the side shrouds were then hooked into place, he then walked up the tramp and pushed the mast up.

The pipe "bucket" for want of a better word allowed the mast to lean forward slightly but not that far where it would fall dangerously past the point of ugliness.

the forward shroud was then loosely tied and the mast was then lifted up into the step..... then back to adjust the front shroud to the desired tension.


always thought I should make something like that simple system..... one day maybe