Early Tanzer 16 Spreaders

Early Tanzer 16 Spreaders --  June 5, 2013 --  Still trying to get a handle on an easier way to step the mast on my Tanzer #1306--I sift the Internet looking for information. A second look at Murray Milburn sailing his boat #104 revealed something I hadn't noticed the first time--spreaders.  Now and then I used to tangle and break the spreaders on my C-Lark--glad my Tanzer doesn't have them. Couldn't get a look at the mast base to see if it was hinged.  Interesting!

Murray' video can be seen at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jotykBJsOhg

Today's Cliche:  Money talks, but cash screams.

Tanzer 16 Improved Mast Step

Tanzer 16 Improved Mast Step -- June 2, 2014 --Tanzer 16 Improved Mast Step -- I apologize in advance; this idea came from a reader, and I lost track of who sent it--phone/email issues.  When I am reminded, the contributor will get credit.

Once you have your mast up in the air, you need to slip the special saddle-shaped fitting at the bottom of the mast over the keelson.  It is a very tight fit, especially with 31 pounds of mast wobbling around 18-20 feet over your head.  This little gadget widens the target considerably.  Think I will make one soon.  Also pursuing the idea of getting another mast and installing a hinge.

This little base (38) has to fit over the keelson

So now you have a smaller (better fitting) base for the saddle and extra support.

Today's Cliche:  When price is no object, assume they will not be paying you.

Missed the first race--but didn't miss it much

Missed the first race--but didn't miss it much  -- May 27, 2014  Back on May 8 I had the boat hooked to the truck; we were ready to go racing. Then I broke my arm doing a last minute task that could have waited.  So of course we missed the first race--the one with almost no wind and lots of cold rain.  We were sorry to miss a race, but, if you had to miss one, this was it.

Even the Lasers struggled to find enough air to move.  Photo by Frank Neumann

Tanzer 16 (Overnighter) Hinged Mast Step

Tanzer 16 (Overnighter) Hinged Mast Step --May 22, 2014 -- Continuing to search for information about hinged mast step arrangements on Tanzer 16's and other small boats.  It hasn't become an obsession yet, but getting there. Found this picture of an Overnighter for sale.  You can see the hinged mast step on top of the cuddy cabin and the supporting structure below. Interesting how the forward area has been modified to make a floor for the cabin.  (The more I look at this, the more I think the Overnighter was maybe not one of  Mr. Tanzer's best ideas.  Why turn a sports car into a travel trailer?)

A king post supports the cabin under the hinge.

Here is a different view.

I did put in an offer for a really rough Tanzer 16 for sale in Seattle, but it seems like it sold for the rehab price instead of the parts price.  The ad is gone, and he didn't even call to dicker a little.  Good!  It should be out sailing if someone can make it happen.

Today's Cliche:  You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him marry a fish.

Tanzer 16 Mast Raising -- Lifting Handle

Tanzer 16 Mast Raising -- Lifting Handle -- May, 19, 2014  -- After stepping the mast twice in the rain, it became obvious that the first iteration of the mast lifting handle wasn't stout enough.  The first one looked like this.

The plywood delaminated and the metal wasn't quite heavy enough
although it would have worked if it had not been bent.

The new one looks like this.

This handle is made from solid poplar.

We haven't tried it at the launch, but it fit nicely in the driveway.

Today's Cliche:  Lovers and good deals are a lot like buses.  Another one will be along in 15 minutes.

Tanzer 16 Hinged Mast Step --early models had them

Tanzer 16 Hinged Mast Step --early models had them -- May 16, 2014  -- While writing about building a hinged mast step, I speculated that one could cut down the mast a bit and mount it on a tabernacle thus creating a much more convenient hinged mast step.  (see Tanzer 16 Raising the Mast Single-handed   --  May 12, 2014)  Just because there was nothing better to do while I wait for my arm to heal, I studied the plans in some detail wondering how one would set about such a project.  Whoa!  Johann Tanzer had already thought of it and done it.  Here is a little note buried in the middle of the mast dimensions.

The note refers to a king post on older models.  Why--To what end?  What did it look like?  How was it attached? We know it anchored two parts: 57 and 63.

A bunch of hours later the answer was found on a You Tube video Sailing at Beaver Lake 2012, posted by jaybender.  The sail number is 378 (an early boat), and clearly it has a hinged step that would make a portable hinge unnecessary.

Here's a closer look. Fuzzy, but definitely a hinge.  

So now the bigger mystery --did Tanzer change the mast to make a simpler rig, a rig less costly to produce, or did it not work so swell?  If it works, it would sure be a nice retrofit on #1306.  Better pictures and more detail welcome.

Today's Cliche:  No good deed goes unpunished, but it's likely to go unnoticed.

Next post --Trailer lights that actually work --most of the time.

Tanzer 16 Raising the Mast Single-handed - part 4 lift the mast, handle

Tanzer 16 Raising the Mast Single-handed  - part 4 lift the mast, handle  --  May 14, 2014 -- Now the mast is upright, and the forestay is secure to the trailer winch via the gin pole.  The side guys are in place and the temporary backstay is in place.  Time to lift the mast onto the keelson and attach the standing rigging. There will be one moment when it's just you holding that whole thing in place.  This is where I wanted to reduce the risk.

If you are 6'3" and strong as an ox, you can probably skip these next few posts.  This is how I did it; it worked for me.  It's up to you to determine if you have the skills, knowledge, and strength to do this safely.

I woke up at three in the morning and realized this final step would be a lot easier if the mast had a handle--so I went out in the shop and made one.  It looks like this:

To hook the handle, I put a  #12 screw 15 inches up from the bottom of the mast. The handle fits on the mast like this:

Given my height, 5'7", this allows me to bend my knees and grab the handle and stand up straight--all the lifting is done by my legs while my hands and arms are focused on positioning..  My left hand is up higher on the mast to help with stability. All I had to do at this point was lift the mast up out of the hinge and set it on the keelson, slide it forward, and latch the gate.

I should add that I tried to add some fore and aft preventer lines at the bottom of the mast, but they were more a pain in the butt than they were useful.  I don't bother now.

Once the mast was locked behind the gate, I could hook up the forestsay and shrouds (see post May 2, 2014) at my leisure, unhook all the set-up gear, and get ready to go sailing.  Yep--it is a slow process--but for me, worth the trouble.  It does get quicker with a little practice, but it will never be as quick as some big moose of a guy just grabbing the mast and sticking it in place.

Take down?  Just do it all backwards.  Carefully.

Next Post: Johann Tanzer already had this figured out.

Today's cliche:  If you do what you always did, you will get what you always got.