MarthamMarmite

Thank you very much for all of your help! I got the mast down today with the help of two excellent friends, it wasn’t too bad! My conclusion is that a gin pole system will allow this single handed probably without an a frame and then the easiest thing will be to detach the mast from the hinged base. As always a bit of help from friends helped a lot. I would definitely be looking for a tabernacle in the next boat, but fitting one to the current one would mean compromising the seaworthiness, not something I want to do! Thank you

This is an example of a metal tabernacle fitted on exactly the same boat, I think the advantage of aluminium masts means that generally a counterweight is not needed, rather an a frame and then using the jib halyard as a winch off the bow roller. Im really not an expert but hoping that someone knows who might undertake this work on the broads!

Thank you - mast step picture attached!

New to the forum, looking for help! Newly purchased sail cruiser, modest, elderly but functional! Currently has a deck stepped mast on a hinge but only with a crude mast-crutch which was used to transport her to the broads. This is a pretty bargain basement bilge keep cruiser (Sunray 21) but as a family we are now happily on the water and looking to expand our range on the broads. I see many enviable a-frame, tabernacle, gin pole arrangements all around on similar boats. Im looking to get the hinge converted to a tabernacle. My question is - who should I approach to do such a job and does anyone have any idea how much it might cost? For reference the boat was bought for less than £1500, and although I’m looking to upgrade, any improvements have to bear in mind the value of the boat! If I don’t go for a full A-frame solution and tabernacle can anyone suggest a different one I may have not thought of? Thank you for any suggestions!