Need tabernacle for E25 [and mast-raising technique]

[bdubose]

Hello:

Does anyone in Ericson land know of a source for a ready made mast tabernacle that will work on the Ericson 25? There is no way that I can see of stepping and unstepping this mast otherwise without use of a stepper or crane.
Some of these boats came equipped with the optional tabernacle kit from the factory, mine unfortunately was not ordered that way.

If you know of a craftsman who has fabricated one, please pass that on as well. We'd love to be able to use our boat in locales without a stepper available.

Thanks!

Bratton DuBose
Bozeman,Montana

 

[Bob in Va]

Mast modification

Bratton - I added a mast base hinge to the regular base plate on my E23. The casting actually has "E25" on it, so it could be the same as yours. I believe the masts (6.5"X3.25") are the same cross section. The hinge is from Dwyer Spars and is the larger of the two they sell. It works real well and allows me to raise the mast from the bow with one other person assisting. If you want more details, email me and I'll send the info.

 

[bdubose]

Hi Bob:

The system wouldn't let me email you back, however, any details you have would be very helpful! It sounds like you have what I'm trying to find.

My email address is bdubose@dadco.com.

Thanks!

Bratton DuBose
Bozeman,MT

 

[bdubose]

Hi again Bob:

Now that I've had a chance to think about things:

Do you have a emailable picture of your setup? It sounds like this is not a tabernacle. Did you have to do any cutting of the mast or reconfiguration of the step?

Thanks again and happy sailing!

Bratton

 

[Bob in Va]

Bratton - Two photos have been emailed, along with a site address for the mast raising diagram. The factory raising system used a mast base casting, several inches high, with a U-shaped tabernacle above that and a single pin/bolt through the tabernacle and mast. With the Dwyer hinge, you don't have to alter anything except to remove the base plate from the cabin top, bolt the top part of the hinge to it, then screw the base plate to the bottom of the mast. Finally, bolt the bottom of the hinge to the cabin top, being careful to locate it so the mast is located exactly where it was before and bed the bolts with good sealer. This will put the mast about 1" higher than it was before. I added toggles to all shrouds below the turnbuckles and on the forestay, and that gave me enough slack for raising/lowering, but just barely. When the mast is at 45 degrees, the uppers tighten up a lot, even though they have been slackened off, because the mast is farthest out of plane with the chainplates. (The lowers are taken completely loose.) Make sure the boom has a "bridle" connected to the open chainplate on each side so it won't fall off to the side.

 

[ky ed]

Man i would love to see the photos Bob emailed. I have a very good imagination and the descriptions are quite good. Ill figure it out.

 

[Mark F]

Hi ky ed, Here are some photos of the mast step for the tabernacle system on my E27. I tried to get a shot showing how the shrouds have a “hinge” that lines up with the pin in the mast base pivot (super important). There are more details but this is a start…

 

[ky ed]

is this the hinge point?

 

[Mark F]

Yes and here

 

[ky ed]

I am new here. Went through the e-27 downloads and discovered rigging diagram. Page 3 is dimensions of guy wires. A 2" ring is used as connection point in line with hinge pin on mast. A triangle is formed with 2 cables attached with shackles to holes drilled into the fore and aft chainplates. The guy wires to stabilize boom are attached to 2" ring. The upper shroud is used to keep mast on center line of boat. Seems pretty doable and not to costly, quite simple to rig up and most importantly very stout. I will sit down and study in more detail when i have time this weekend at the boat. This is a great group. Every body is so help full and quick to respond. The more i work on my new 1978 e-27 the more i realize she one heck of a boat and perfect for my continued sailing. Its a downsize from a Morgan 416 out island for sure but the big ole morgan was killing me. The stress of keeping all the systems up and running, the cramped engine room, the massive weight of every thing was at the very upper limits of what a single handed old man can handle. Morgan was my dream boat if i would of only retired a bit earlier or had me a first mate that had money to pitch in for fuel and was willing to work in hot cramped engine room on an old greasy perkins and an old inaccessible westerbeak generator. At least i did it for a year and a half. Ill never forget the power she had with a bit of a breeze.

 

[ky ed]

Yes and here
View attachment 54285

Thanks

 

[gabriel]

Maybe this video helps:

 

[ky ed]

Yes and here
View attachment 54285

Thanks

 

[ky ed]

Thanks Mark and Gabriel.

 

[gargrag]

Thank you all for chiming in. Very useful data.