Hi all,

I'm looking for a trailer sailer boat and am drawn to the Parkers .

My main concern is how easy is it to drop the mast and hoist it back up.

It would be kept on a berth but need to pass under a bridge each time before hitting the open waves.

Anyone got any advise on how easy to do it . The bridge is apx 4 MTR clearance .


Or indeed an alternative boat ...
Thanks

Jack

Jack, I am a novice owner of a 235. I would not want to try dropping / raising the mast whilst under way. Something with gaff rig might suit you better ? Mike

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Hi Mike,

theres a pontoon either side of the bridge so not technically unerway. No interest in a gaff style rig like a broads boat or Shrimper.

In Parker literature says there is a kit to do it. No idea what it is as no detail hence hoping someone would have done it ... Assume its some kind of 90 deree pitch pole arrange that attaches at the tabernackle but only a guess.

Have you dropped it.




Jack

Hi Jack
I suggest you google " A frame for mast lowering"
This is the principle by which most Broads based yachts can lower their masts easily. The frame is anchored at the chain plates and runs forward both sides of the deck to carry the forestay, then a winch mounted either on or in the anchor locker pulls the frame down to the foredeck. Anyway look at the pictures they explain it very well.I was told there are some 275's on the Broads with this mast lowering system.

Jan Newman
Blue Moon
325/32

Hi Jan,

Yes I am familiar with that system. Is that the "Mast Kit" that comes withe the parker.

Cam acrosss this video on youtube, never seen that way of doing it and seems extreamly easy. Cant figure the method out and he doesnt explain . Very nice though .

Hi Jan,

Yes I am familiar with that system. Is that the "Mast Kit" that comes withe the parker.

Cam acrosss this video on youtube, never seen that way of doing it and seems extreamly easy. Cant figure the method out and he doesnt explain . Very nice though .

Mine was a P21 but I can't see it would be much different. The time consuming parts in lowering and raising the mast, even with the "kit", was taking the boom off with all its reefing lines, outhauls etc and slackening off the shrouds so you can get the pin out of the bottom of the forestay - then tightening it all up again when its up after going under the bridge. And it's not easy driving the boat with the cockpit full of boom, shrouds etc. And you can't use the tiller with the mast support in position.

Not a good idea. Find a different mooring!

Geoff

" Not a good idea. Find a different mooring!"

attached to the house, [:D][:D][:D]

There was a SuperSeal on the Medway who had to go under a bridge every time - there's a description of his a-frame here: http://www.parkerseal.org.uk/ar...es/modsmaint/ssmast.aspx 

I wonder where the boat is now? May be able to trace it!

Geoff

Parker 21 / 18 Dawn

The name of the boat in the link just posted by Geoff Turner, is "Whisper", Parker 27 Sail No.119, built in 1985, which was advertised for sale on the PSSA website in January 2010.
I actually viewed the boat ashore a year earlier, in 2009. The only apparent disadvantage of the permanent A frame was that the genoa luff length had had to be significantly reduced.
The current owner is a member of the PSSA so his contact details are available to other members.

Geoff Sheddick
Parker 27/146 "Stroller'

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Thanks guys ,

Just been reading his wite up and pics.. Nice piece of design and easy to make up.

"I DO NOT have to lower it right down but only to an angle of between about 45 and 75 degrees from vertical"

Looks about perfect and like me would need to drop it around 45 degrees.

The only thing he doesnt say is if he has to remove the boom. How high can the boom be raised with the topping lift on a Parker. Hoping thats the case .


Thanks guys .... PS theres alot of Geoff's here !!!!!!!

Jack ( honorary new geoff [:)][:)])

I'm not sure of its name, but there is a 235 in the PSSA that has a stainless steel A frame permanently attached for mast lowering. Does anybody know which boat it is and is there a picture anywhere?

Paul

235/17 Kinkajou

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We keep our boat on the Broads, at Horsey, where there are three other Seals, by the way.
We often spent a week or two and day sail often. We drop the mast, using the spinnaker pole as a pitch pole, as set up by Bill when we bought the boat. It takes us about 40 minutes to down mast, go through a bridge and have it all up again. We could be quicker but we are quite cautious and like to double(triple!)check things. I'm sure it makes the Broads cruisers laugh at the time we take but it works fine.
We have added a crutch that is permanently at the transom ready to catch the mast but do not have to slacken shrouds. We do detach the boom and mast slides but not the reefing lines.
Please ask if you want any more details.
Brian and Alison Fisher P235 Thrift