Day 228, Jailbreak part2, Building A-frame for stepping mast down.

 Mast, Step-down, step2.

 

As part of preparation to move I need to step must down for transportation.

I was inspired by this video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbOTOOzHOu4

Today i built my a-frame using 2x4 wood. 

Frame sides made of 4 10" boards each middle section is two boards sandwiching boards on ends.

bolted together forming almost 3 board length  legs.

 

Frame height is considered to be about 3 ft above center of gravity of the mast. ~24ft. 

Bottom board was shorted about 2 ft and cut under the angle to have better surface contact with deck and use toe rail to prevent legs to slide over board. With 1.5 feet overlap total length of the each leg get to 25ft long.

 

Planning cross members  configuration

 

 

I put legs on the deck and connected top points of the legs  with eye bolt which will be used to hoist the mast.

 

Legs are ready to be hoisted.

 

Use main halyard to lift frame

 

Single-handed lifting up was incentive - I had to crank winch and simultaneously move legs back to position where they will be mounted on the deck.

 

Legs are on the place. I drilled hole to tie leg to toe rail on the place.

 

 

Now is time to assemble cross member and support members to make frame stiff. 

Frame is assembled. 

 

 

Back view.