I have a NACRA 500 that I purchased within the last year. Prior to a my first road trip with the boat, I attempted to protect the mast and rear beam from damaging each other by placing a number of rags and other padding on where the mast was resting on the rear beam. I inspected the boat and trailer after about two hours on the road and realized that the mast had chaffed though the layers of chaffing gear I placed between the mast and the rear beam. I was eventually able to rig something that would work for the rest of the trip, but by that time, a minor amount of damage was done to the traveler.
I am planning on taking the boat on the road during the summer and want to prevent this from happening again. I was looking at some options for a must crutch for the mast and saw that there is one that is sold for Hobies (14, 16, 17, and 20). I was wondering if any other NACRA sailors have used this same item to try to protect their mast and if it worked. If not, does anyone have any ideas or possible homemade plans for a mast crutch? I do not want to recreate the wheel.
Thanks again for your help.
My Nacra I20 came with a piece of black ribbed drain pipe, about 14", 1' tall, cut to fit the mast on one end, and the rear beam on the boat on the back. I use a piece of carpet to wrap the mast before putting it it and wrap a ratchet strap around the mast to the rear beam. Works great. Can take a pic on Monday if you would like.
That Hobie cradle is ridiculously expensive. I had one in the past, but it came off on the interstate....thought it was really secure...operator error, I suppose. I back-tracked but couldn't find it.
My current cradle is a thick chunk of dense closed cell foam from equipment packaging that has been cut to fit.
I've also used swim noodles....the fat ones (~5 or 6 in dia.). Cut a couple of pieces ~a foot long. Carve one lengthwise to cradle the front of the mast cross-section (trailer with luff track up), and the other to fit the rear beam. Install them so they criss-cross and secure the whole mess with bungies. You'll have several inches of tough padding....works well and stupid cheap.
For me, securing stuff for trailering never seems to work right at first on a given rig....takes a while to tweak it just right. Until I'm more sure, I lean toward the 1-10-100 rule of thumb and check mast/boat tie downs, bearings (for excessive heat), lights, etc. at those mileages.
Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16
Clinton, Mississippi
This is my DIY removable rear mast cradle:
http://www.thebeachcats.com/pictures?g2_itemId=112881
Thanks for the help. I will try the modified noodles since I don't have a spare hitch receiver.
I use a small fender , and strap it between
the rear beam and the mast.
André de Bruin, Amsterdam,the Netherlands
P 18-2
macbeans wrote: Thanks for the help. I will try the modified noodles since I don't have a spare hitch receiver.
Go to a body shop and ask. They just throw the things away.
Thanks for the help. I will try the modified noodles since I don't have a spare hitch receiver.
i find they don't last long and get water logged over time
MN3
I got a transom brace for a outboard motor for my sons hobie 14, about $25, and then mounted a tube for it to slide into on the back crossbar of the trailer, works great, made of metal so it will last.
Think about doing this:
http://thebeachcats.com/pictures?g2_itemId=90998
It is hinged so you can lower it to launch.
klozhald wrote: Think about doing this:
http://thebeachcats.com/pictures?g2_itemId=90998
It is hinged so you can lower it to launch.
I was looking at buying/fabbing something similar, then the idea to do it my way hit me like a truck. A Ford F-150 actually.
here's what i did. bought a short piece of PVC drain pipe from Lowe's or Home Depot, marked it with a pencil to match the shape of the rear crossbeam and cut the notches with a jigsaw. then i filed the edges smooth and added a piece of indoor-outdoor carpet under the mast. cost about $7.00. have to be careful when cutting. it slips over the traveler and keeps it in place right below the mast for travel. solid and secure.
j
Edited by arch on Feb 05, 2015 - 05:03 PM.