Mast Raising System

Another addition that we have made to our KERRY DANCER is the installation of a mast raising system. This system allows one person to raise and lower the mast quite easily, no matter what the wind strength or the tilt of the trailer. The secret of any mast raising/lowering system is to have control of the procedure at all times.


TOP OF GIN POLE

The wire supports for the gin pole are securely attached to the 1 1/2" aluminum pole which is 6' in length. The 4 to 1 tackle is attached with a stainless strap over the gin pole and and the lower 2 sheave is attached to the forestay anchor with a 1/4" clevis pin.
The slot, at the end of the pole, is fastened through the hole in the middle of the forestay turnbuckle barrel, with a 1/4" clevis pin.








ANCHORS FOR SUPPORT WIRES


The stainless steel anchors (1/8" thick) for the pivots have the attachment hole on the same plane as the mast pivot bolt.










PIVOT FOR SUPPORT WIRES

The pivot assembly attaches (with a 5/16" bolt) to the pivot anchors which are thru bolted to the hull with a 1/4" backing plate. The pivots are necesary to allow the angles to change as the mast is raised.








BASE OF GIN POLE (BRACKET ON MAST)


The bottom of the gin pole is firmly attached to the mast with a 3/8" diameter stainless pin. The pole does not rely on the bracket's strength to keep the gin pole at right angles to the mast but relies on the forestay being attached to the end of the gin pole.