Hi Peter,

Attached are 2 pictures of the Factory GBI mast crutch:

[cid:image002.jpg at 01D9F2EC.43D9A140]
Close-Up Of GBI Stern Mast Crutch

Note how the majority of the load is borne by the transom and not the rudder pintles.  I would not recommend using the rudder pintles in the way you are proposing.

I like the nice wide funneling scoop on the top of the GBI mast crutch.  It must be really nice when unstepping the mast.  I also like the starting height of the mast crutch when you begin the lift to step the mast.

[cid:image006.jpg at 01D9F2EC.43D9A140]
Rhodes 22 almost rigged for trailering with GBI stern mast crutch

About the only thing I don’t like about the GBI stern mast crutch is how much vertical clearance is required when going down the road.  Otherwise, it’s a great design!

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium

Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for Windows

From: Tom Hyatt via Rhodes22-list<mailto:rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2023 9:11 AM
To: The Rhodes 22 Email List<mailto:rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] How robust are the pintles?

I made a crutch from 2x4s that I actually sit on the ground behind the stern and tie to the stern rail. It works well but does not sit as high as one sitting inside the cockpit. However, it is plenty sturdy and especially resists lateral movement. Of course, it's useless if you are lowering or raising your mast while your boat is in the water. :-)

Tom Hyatt


6E6345BD22FC47998BD823B1E3626895.jpg

121C6741D00F4E209AC09D06FEF10787.jpg

On Fri, Sep 29, 2023 at 10:33 AM Ric Stott <ric at stottarchitecture.com>
wrote:

> The lintels can probably handle the compressive loads but without added
> connections to the stern rail would most likely fail to handle the lateral
> loads of the mast and sliding it forward and or aft. I would mount it on
> the stern and lash it to the stern rail, the way GB designed it. It’s
> simple , direct and easy.
> Ric
> Dadventure
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Sep 29, 2023, at 10:03 AM, peter beckerman via Rhodes22-list <
> rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org> wrote:
> >
> > Hi All,   Sad to say that summer is over and winter haul-out is fast
> approaching :-(.  As I contemplate lowering my mast for the first time, and
> wishing to avoid a repeat of the experience in raising the mast (another
> story) I am planning on building a mast crutch to simplify the process (my
> boat did not come with the GB mast raising system or a crutch).  My
> question for all you experienced Rhodies is:  can I safely hang a mast
> crutch and the weight of mast/boom/furler assembly on the pintles?  Are
> they robust enough for this load?  I assume they are ( but you know what
> happens when you assume).  What says the collective wisdom?  Note:  I only
> plan to use this for raising/lowering, not for trailering/storage.
> > Thanks all,     Peter
>