Here is the mast crutch I made to be easily removable. You just take out 1 bolt.
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r14/wolverine00xj/Mobile%20Uploads/20131102_134850_zps49974910.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/wolverine00xj/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20131102_134850_zps49974910.jpg.html)
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r14/wolverine00xj/Mobile%20Uploads/20131102_134905_zps9d46d81b.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/wolverine00xj/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20131102_134905_zps9d46d81b.jpg.html)
Why the bend in the crutch? Another thought; why not drill another mounting hole in the rudder stock & use a quick releasing pin to mount it?
Kick me if this makes you mad. I like this great concept enough to consider making one for another boat I own.
TG
Quote from: Tim Gardner on November 22, 2013, 09:02:27 AM
Why the bend in the crutch? Another thought; why not drill another mounting hole in the rudder stock & use a quick releasing pin to mount it?
Kick me if this makes you mad. I like this great concept enough to consider making one for another boat I own.
TG
Tim - no problem. I put the bend in it to give it a cantilever effect and press the base up against the spine of the rudder. Though it's not shown in the pic, I put a bungee around the base of it to snug it up against the spine, but I wanted to weight of the mast to help press it as well. I have a quick release pin, and I might go that route in the spring when I get the boat uncovered and I can work on it again. It was a nice cheap project. I welded it up out of some scrap 1" square tubing I had laying around. I welded a gusset plate at the bend to strengthen it there.
Nice job. Wolv.
You metal workers make me jealous. "Just welded it up out of scrap"...turns out to be a work of metal art. Very nice. It's always a challenge for us wood workers to compete with welded steel. You could market that crutch.
Bob23
Nice! I've got to get a welding machine. Already skilled in that area. Certified ASME Sec. 8 Div. I pressure vessels, BPI 31 (something) piping and AWS structural, 1G-5G, in SMAW, GMAW, FCAW and SAW. The most amazing thing is that I can actually remember most of that from 40 years ago when I did that stuff for a living. ;D
But a great idea. Like the cantilever, think it would not stay put without it. In the spirit of adding on, maybe a couple of tabs welded on to the lowest part to provide additional lateral stability.
Thanks for the feedback. Brackish - tabs on the side are a great idea. With winter here in Michigan, she's covered up for the season, but I'll do it in the spring. I got my welder from Harbor Freight for $90 on sale, and I taught myself, with a little help from my dad, who is a former ironworker. Give it a try. It's a lot of fun.