george
10-02-1999, 03:06 pm
When trailering my catalina 22 the mast is supported between the bow rail and a crutch attached to the transom. Does the mast need supported in the center like from the cabin hatch to avoid any bowing of the mast while trailering?
Dick of the Sylvan
10-03-1999, 03:13 am
My third-hand 1975 Cat 22 came with a homemade support (just a simple 2 x 4 mounted vertically) at the mast step. The "crutch" on the transom was kind of high (good for lowering and raising the mast), and I added a second support area below to make the mast paralell with the ground while trailering. All seems sturdy with suppoert in 3 places.
The mast should be supported in the middle to prevent metal fatigue. You can do this by adding a support near the cabin top. If your boat has a stern rail, then it is actually easier to mount the mast on the bow & stern rail, rather than using a crutch. With this approach, the mast will be in close contact to the cabin top, and can be supported in the center. Regards, Ted