Dave,

There is no advantage to the M20/M18 setup. The double bridle setup when flying a spi is not very nice. It tends to foil up manouvres with the spi. Best for spi sailing is the single forestay with a bridle setup. When you do this then the traditional spi pole setup with lines is easiest, cheapest and best.

Wouter

Dave,Robbie Daniels had a M20 here for some time so I got a chance to check it out. I think the only reason they used the "carbon sticks" is because everything on the boat is carbon.

I know this is a revival of a revival, but I'd love to see pics of 1 and 2. A gin-pole/A-frame/ angle-improver setup is relatively easy to work out. My problem is how to slide a 31ft mast out past the rear crossbeam and support it with it turned 90 degrees to get it onto the ball and then limit the mast turning back straight until the downhaul is clear as it's lifted with a winch/gin-pole arrangement.


Working on the non-"chicken float" chicken float. Some time in a wind tunnel sure would help.

Here is an idea that was suggested to me by an "old Salt" but I haven't tried it .....yet. It makes some sense since I too, have the type of mast that requires a 90 degree turn.
He thought I should rivet another tang on the side of the mast (so that the pull would naturally turn the mast 90 degrees) and abandon the forestay as what I attach to the winch. I haven't done it yet because I don't want to drill more holes in the mast # 1 and # 2 I haven't figured out how I would attach a line to the tang that didn't have to be left in place while I was sailing.
For holding the mast in place at 90 degrees I just fabricated a PVC pole with a "V" on top and bottom that rests on the ground but holds the mast on its side 6 feet off the ground behind the rear beam. I use the pole to help lift the mast while my helper cranks the winch. With the 6 foot pole I can lift it high enough without having to climb onto the tramp.

Let me know if you can think of another/better way. I'm all ears.

Greg

how about someone post EASY to make, relatively inexpensive cat wheels? I bought a used set and.. well... I have spent more money on them than if I had just bought brand new ones! But it seems like 400$ is a little excessive for something that seems so simple.

That'll be the best 400bucks you ever spent. I want a combo Lifejacket-harness !

yeah, I know... but if I were to buy new ones now the total cost would be something like 700$!!!! my stupidity for not getting new ones to start with, but still.

How about a telescoping mast? That would certainly make set up soooo much easier! Has anyone ever tried this??

Hydraulic or Telekinetic?

With all the talk about having a float "Bob" on the top of the mast, why not an inflatable float on the top with tubing down to a CO2 cartridge or inflation device that you trigger if the boat goes over. You could deflate it after you right the boat.

Howard

Now THAT'S funny!

Why not Virtual?

How about mechanical. It could have a system of blocks and pulleys inside and a line you pull on the outside to telescope it to its full length and then to release it. I wonder if anyone has tried something like this. It would certainly be an expensive mast, (and heavier also).

Am I wrong or do they have a cat with telescoping crossbars to increase beam?

Although telekinetic WOULD be the best!
Heck!! I wish I could make the entire set up Telekinetic!
That would certainly draw people to catamaran sailing! IN FACT THAT'S IT!!!! THE FIRST GUY THAT INVENTS THE FIRST TELEKINETICALLY SET UP CATAMARAN WILL MAKE MILLIONS!!!!

I can't do it. My ears start smoking when I try!

how about some rig where as you push the boat of the trailer a line pulls the mast up,is that a catastophy waiting to happen or what? I think city officials should open more beach mast up storage so we would'nt have to invent this particular method.

Take a look at the WaterWorld movie again if you need sailing ideas. Lots of nifty telekinetic stuff there- except the non-sailing part of the flick that was Hollywood crap. I heard Randy Smyth did some of the sailing bits.

There was a system like this. Inflatable ball at the top,tubing and co2 cartridge at the bottom. I don't think it was auto though.

Someone even posted an advertisement selling the device. I think today it could be automatic because they have the life vests that open on contact with water. Here is a thought...... IF the top of the mast had a foil as Mike Catley proposed and IF the ends of the foil had this inflation device would it not be able to lift the entire mast out of the water and get it to that critical spot where the boat is tipped enough to make righting that much easier?????? What I mean to say is that the wind would be able to affect the lifting of the sails and the hulls would be tipped to at least perpendicular to the water surface so in theory wouldn't that make the craft VERY easy to right? Would that not be another selling point??

Greg

The whole idea of a mast float is to keep the boat from going turtle. Righting is a different problem.

You guys need to think about towing your boats backwards. Makes putting the mast up much easier.

Mike. You mean with the sail on?? I can see how towing the boat backwards with the sail on might help bring the mast up. .....and back down with chunks of hull attached to the shrouds