Raising the Mast
Object: Safely raising the mast
One of the most dangerous things to do with a sailboat is to raise and lower the mast. Most masts are metal so it is always prudent to not raise a mast near a power line as it could be a shocking, and probably, lethal experience.
Materials: Yard stick
Ruler (12 inch is fine)
String
Tape
Paper clips
Straws (two)
A forestay and two sidestays usually support a mast. Indicate an outline of a ship’s deck on a table using tape to outline the deck. Make the deck about 26 inches long and about 12 inches wide. Select a position for the mast base about 9 inches from the bow and centered on the centerline of the deck. Tape the zero end of the yard stick (mast) to the mast base point previously identified so that it is free to hinge at that point to either lay on the table or be stood vertical to the table. Allow the other end of the mast to hang off the table by extending over the stern of the deck outline.
Tape a paper clip hook to the 36-inch end of the mast hanging off the table. Tape a paper clip hook to the 12 inch end of the ruler (gin pole, spinnaker pole or boom) Tape four paper clips on the deck outline in the following positions:
Bow (forestay attachment)
Port and Starboard positions a few inches aft of the mast base (side shroud attachments)
Stern (backstay attachment)
Raise the mast vertical and attach four strings from the top of the mast to the bow, stern and side shrouds. Do not tie the forestay end to the bow or the backstay to the stern.
Lay the mast down over the stern. Tape the ruler at the zero inch end to the mast base end or zero inch end of the yard stick.
Raise the ruler vertical and attach the masthead (top or 36 inch end) with the forestay string.
Tie a string to the raised ruler and run it through the bow hook.
Pull on this string while maintaining light tension on the side stays and the mast should be raised.
Remove the ruler and just attach the forestay to the string going through the bow hook.
Notice the difference in effort. Ask tithe students to explain. Suggest they consider think of the force of the string being divided into two components.
One component compressing the ruler and one component perpendicular to it that is causing the mast to rotate about its base. Discuss torque.
In the case of a broken mast, restoration of sailing can be done by improvising what remains of the mast and an improvised A frame using the boom and the spinnaker pole. Use two straws to make the A frame and tape them where the side shroud plates would be. Ask the students how would they rig the sail and where the would they attach the mast. Survival at sea requires one to be able to cope with ambiguous situations and to use creativity to find a solution.
Einstein understood the need to work with what ever was available to accomplish a goal. Daniel Goldin, NASA Administrator recalls a story in the May 1998 issue of Popular Science about Einstein and a young assistant looking for a paper clip to put together a paper they had finished. All they could initially find was one old bent up paper clip, so they began looking for a tool to straighten it. The assistant later found a box of paper clips. Einstein took one out and started making the tool he needed to straighten the bent clip. Once Einstein set a goal, he persisted until it was completed to the amazement of his young assistant. Einstein had the mindset to be a superb ocean sailor.
Lesson plan by Ray Manning, First Baptist Church School