Author Topic: Raising a U-20 mast the easy way  (Read 13792 times)

Michael Eisenberg

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Raising a U-20 mast the easy way
« on: November 16, 2009, 04:08:04 AM »
Here is a little video I made that demonstrates an apparatus I designed to make the raising of the mast on a U-20 a one man job, and without any heavy lifting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c-3knkxrqg

André Labelle

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Re: Raising a U-20 mast the easy way
« Reply #1 on: November 16, 2009, 01:19:00 PM »
Wow.  Ingenious system !  Maybe we should also ask you to design a system to lift the boat off of the trailer so we can clean the bottom under the trailer pads.  I have tried to get one done around here without success...

John Wolfe

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Re: Raising a U-20 mast the easy way
« Reply #2 on: November 16, 2009, 04:04:12 PM »
Michael,

That is a great system.  Very ingenious how you wrap the trailer winch line over the top roller.  I also like the fact that it is always on the trailer and ready.  I would definitely purchase a system should you decide to put it into production. 

- John   


Michael Eisenberg

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Re: Raising a U-20 mast the easy way
« Reply #3 on: November 17, 2009, 05:27:57 AM »
Andre, lifting the U-20 off the trailer with a self-contained compact lift , one under each gunnel, would be easy, and relatively inexpensive.  How high do you want to go? 

André Labelle

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Re: Raising a U-20 mast the easy way
« Reply #4 on: November 17, 2009, 03:10:59 PM »
I initially tought that it would require lifting the boat 5 feet (to do the keel) but I now think lifting the boat 2 feet would be enough to have easy access to all the bottom for cleaning (the access to the keel would through the inside of the cabin).

Michael Eisenberg

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Re: Raising a U-20 mast the easy way
« Reply #5 on: November 17, 2009, 06:13:56 PM »
15" would be easy, and I'd guess about $300. The mechanism to lift 15" would store easily on the trailer, and the stress & stability would be easily manageable.  I would do this job by using a pair of (removable) inverted A-Frame side crank trailer tongue jacks, attached to the side guides on the trailer, and with a special machined foot (now the top) that would fit the contour of the underside of the gunnel. For the third lifting mount, I would run the front trailer winch strap up to a roller mounted on the mast support post, and run the strap up to the roller, and back down to the bow eye.  I estimate about 150# load on the front strap, and about 600# on each 2000# capacity A-Frame jack.  It would be quickest to raise the boat with 3 people, but one person could raise each jack in increments until the boat reaches the desired height.  More than 15", the price goes up.  I could probably package 24", but I think you would be looking at $600 plus.  And I think that with 15", you can clean the bulb, then  lower the bulb to the trailer and get the part of the keel in the trunk.

Michael Eisenberg

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Re: Raising a U-20 mast the easy way
« Reply #6 on: November 17, 2009, 06:47:18 PM »
Hi
The mast raising device works so well, I can't imagine that I won't be building some.  So the question is how many.  I'd like to get a list started now, and then I'll run a batch near the end of the year.  Cost will be $300 unfinished, plus tax and shipping.  There is a minimum charge for Galvanizing, so The cost for Galvanizing depends on the number sold.  The least expensive price is achieved after 9 units, and is about $50.

All interested owners, please raise your hand.

Thanks


Michael Eisenberg
maeco@maecomotorsport.com
www.maecomotorsport.com
18306 Eddy Street
Northridge, CA  913255
tel (818) 701-1923
fax (818) 701-0051

John Wolfe

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Re: Raising a U-20 mast the easy way
« Reply #7 on: November 17, 2009, 10:42:12 PM »
Michael,

Please put me down for one.

- John Wolfe
180 Breakaway

Michael Eisenberg

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Re: Raising a U-20 mast the easy way
« Reply #8 on: December 01, 2009, 08:46:41 PM »
Hi all:
I’m ordering material today to make the mast lifting arms.  The cost will be $350 each including all hardware and Galvanizing.  There’s no need to pay until the parts are ready.  I can take cash, checks or credit cards, but the first two methods are preferred.  California sales will require sales tax.  UPS shipping is available.  I will be going to the SCYA midwinters and the San Diego NOOD regattas if anyone would like delivery to those venues. If anyone is interested in this, please let me know now so that I can produce the correct amount.

Michael Eisenberg

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Re: Raising a U-20 mast the easy way
« Reply #9 on: January 27, 2010, 05:12:17 AM »
Hi all.  I'm shipping Mast raising arms now, and have a couple of extras for sale.  $350 plus UPS.  Contact me if interested.  maeco@maecomotorsport.com

Mike Josselyn

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Re: Raising a U-20 mast the easy way
« Reply #10 on: February 01, 2010, 11:14:22 PM »
I just received Michael's lifting arms. These are totally cool and fit like a
glove on my trailer. After receiving them from Michael, it took about 10
minutes to install on the trailer and get it up and running! Very cool features
like a foot stand so you can attach your windex and work on the fittings on the
top of the mast, a pin holder, oversized roller, and a tightening nut to keep
the rig snug on the OEM mast holder. The galvanizing is a great extra so it
should last a long time.

I know that Michael has more of these available, so if you ever need to raise or
lower your mast by yourself, you need to get one of these devices while they
last. Impress your crew by having the mast up while they sleep in late or have
coffee in the morning!

Mike Josselyn
Uhoo! :)

Michael Eisenberg

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Re: Raising a U-20 mast the easy way
« Reply #11 on: July 23, 2010, 03:33:59 PM »
Hi all.
I made some extra mast lift arms when I filled the original orders.  I plan to bring these to Dillon Colorado.  If you think you might be interested in purchasing one, please let me know what type of trailer forward mast support you currently have: V bar or roller.  See you in CO.  Thanks.  Michael

danieljcpa

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Raising a U-20 mast the easy way
« Reply #12 on: May 29, 2015, 06:59:32 PM »
Hi, I'm a new U20 sailor and strength challenged...That mast raising device looks pretty cool.

Are they still available?  How can I contact the builder.

Daniel

“Believe me, my friend, there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”
― Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows

Gregg Henning

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Re: Raising a U-20 mast the easy way
« Reply #13 on: May 31, 2015, 02:18:51 PM »
Contact Michael at maeco@maecomotorsport.com  He makes these.

Mike Rizza

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Re: Raising a U-20 mast the easy way
« Reply #14 on: September 30, 2021, 02:46:17 PM »
Michael, Wondering if you have anymore mast raising devices for sale, or if you have drawings that I can make my own? Also do you use it to lower the mast also? Mike Rizza 845-742-8439