I usually taken the Mast down for winter storage. But, I had an epiphany this past season. I’m tired of dealing with the old ill-fitting sail cover. I plan to make a new Sail Pack cover over the winter to make it much easier for me to raise and stow the sail. I’d like to leave the mast and boom up so I can fit the new Sail Pack with the booms hanger lines over the winter. Anyone else leave the mast and boom up in the off season?
Yes . Mast up: always have, except last year down for inspection. Boom up: started several years ago, raised aft end high above cover, tie off to keep from swinging, pull choker to put boom against mast. No discernable problems. Reduces cost, damage potential. If you remember Mike, Allen Ames said, always take down.
Carl Linkinhoker
NS26C, 146, Break of Day
Mayfield, NewYork
I’ve been dropping boom but leaving mast up. It’s easier to drop boom with a 22 but I did same when I had my 30. Not sure what I used for a ladder - 22 requires I’m up near top of same ladder. Of course, 22 mast is not trivial - 40 feet. So boom height at mast might not be too much higher on a 30. It seems like dropping boom reduces windage and weight aloft which should mean less stress on mast but it’s more of a gut feel thing; I have no real facts to support. And the older I get, the higher up and riskier it seems to be. Love to be convinced it’s unnecessary.
I’m fortunate. A substantial boat cover came with my 22. It’s taken me a while to realize it could cover stanchions and safety lines also. I used a huge telescoping whisker pole someone gave me as a ridge pole and it works quite well. I supported front of pole at mast and rear by building wood supports mounted on boom. I just leave sail in sail cover lying on deck. The cover is keeping water off entire boat, including stanchions, so avoid water getting in any small crevices and freezing.
Someone please convince me dropping boom isn’t necessary and I can just disconnect sail cover from hangers and drop sail in its cover to deck and leave boom up and still use cover. So much easier. Oh, I do like this idea.
Brooks Bridges
NS22OB #24 An B’ad
Cambridge - Eastern Shore MD