Hi Len, the crane was designed for 7 tons...;-)...

The 2 spars probably weigh over 40 kg, a serious load to get aloft, at first I tried to pull them up through a single block, it was too much... A block and tackle solved that problem.

A Prusik knot just above the center works well. I suppose it could be done on a mono as long as the pyramid is tied to deck, since your boat is narrow the most important foot is the one on the gunnel, that one must be very secure!

It takes 2 of us to do, the most important job except for pulling it up is controlling the bottom which is dragging on deck, we use thick cardboard under it, as I pull it up, Jenia keeps it dragging along on it's piece of cardboard.

It works well, yet it takes time to set up, on the water it will be harder, building the frame could be your biggest problem, since mine was made on the ground, then lifted onto the boat. If you can dock side to the wall, then maybe you could do the same. Any other way you will have to erect the frame on deck, that could be a huge problem....

Good luck, and keep Junking....

Anonymous wrote:

Congratulations Rael, your rig already looks beautiful in plastic!

Can't wait for the next video!

As a Junky 2 A Junky, Thanks Patrick! It truly helps when others share their opinions. Sail should aloft in a few days, I 2 can't 2 C it...

As usual it's been hard work to get the shunting dynamics all in tune, plus weather has not been on our side...

We raised 7 meter masts countless times to get all to work, it's been off-road...

I had to build a 7 Ton Balkan crane, it worked well for raising and dropping these long spars.... Lucky we have a leepod!

Keep Junking

BSY

Finally rigging!!! 

here are some images of 'One Force 213', I named her so to help things come together. Shunters are strange to build and design, strange to sail too, yet a ton of fun!!!

I like using plastic and screwing battens to it from both sides, then I raise it aloft and fine tune the shape. On this full size model, I didn't like the head, so I extended the top batten and stuck on more plastic to add SA high up for light winds...

My masts are a touch short, 30 cm longer would have been better... 

Except for enlarging the head, I now intend to lower the foot by 15 cm along it's whole length. Final sail size will be just over 19 square meters.

I hope to sew the sail this week, among a million other things I have to do....

Polytarp, cambered panel, the dart system with battens screwed from both sides.

Launching soon....

Keep Shunting, the Force is Strong

Balkan Shipyards

"In the window ..."

Another laid-back video from the Vice President of Balkan Shipyards - had me in stitches.

I think I need some of that stuff...