2004 R21 Mast and boom.

[MartyMar]

Have had my '04 R21 since September and really enjoying cruising the ICW and Cape Fear area. New to Ranger I am yet to understand the purpose and rigging for the floor mounted mast and associated boom. The factory was unable to come up with a manual covering the '04 (I only wish I had all of the standard upgrades in the '08 manual they provided). Any comments, pictures or creative suggestions would be welcome.

 

[LAKERtoo]

... the mast and boom make it possible to use a small steady sail similar to what the little salmon trollers used .. I think the idea was that in light winds, the sail pressure kept the boat cocked a little to one side or the other and the boat didn't flop around a lot .. I had a conversation via email with a fellow that actually tested his out in a stiff breeze and he could make 3.5 knots running before the wind .. the boom was also used to support a bimini shade or complete camper cover .. Rob

 

[MartyMar]

Thanks for the information. I don'y have the sail, but interested in learning more about it if anybody has more information.

 

[Wildog69]

I have a 1995 Classic R21, that has the mast and boom. I think it's for the trawler look, and the boom supports the full cockpit cover. The boom has a track that the cover slips in, but the mast has no track to attach a sail to if wanted, unless there is another way of attaching a sail to the mast. The top of the mast also has an antenna and anchor light. I'm thinking if you can maybe find a Hobie 14', or another small salvaged sailboat mast and boom, you could trim the mast down to fit. If you need stock mast or boom measurements or pics, let me know. If i'm not planning on being protected from the sun, I don't even put the mast and boom up. On a sunny day, I put it all up to get out of the sun, and since I have a factory installed rear steering position, I can sit on the rear seat an enjoy steering from that position. No throttle control at the rear, but it's nice to steer from the rear.

 

[cracker39]

I have a 1995 Classic R21, that has the mast and boom. I think it's for the trawler look, and the boom supports the full cockpit cover. The boom has a track that the cover slips in, but the mast has no track to attach a sail to if wanted, unless there is another way of attaching a sail to the mast. The top of the mast also has an antenna and anchor light. I'm thinking if you can maybe find a Hobie 14', or another small salvaged sailboat mast and boom, you could trim the mast down to fit. If you need stock mast or boom measurements or pics, let me know. If i'm not planning on being protected from the sun, I don't even put the mast and boom up. On a sunny day, I put it all up to get out of the sun, and since I have a factory installed rear steering position, I can sit on the rear seat an enjoy steering from that position. No throttle control at the rear, but it's nice to steer from the rear.

How do you stow the mast and boom when it’s not up? Are you trailering Evergreen, or is it at your home dock or a marina? There’s a photo of an R21 in the Tugnuts albums that shows what looks like a permanently mounted boom from the wheelhouse roof to a stern support. That intrigues me since you would not have to erect a mast. if I decide to go that route I’ll probably opt for a laminated wood boom, with wood spreaders, and a tent-like cover that will fasten down to the railings by removing the spreaders. it could be made bug proof and rainproof, if desired, but I’ not sure that I would take it that far.

 

[Wildog69]

It has a unique way to stow the mast. It has a bracket on the rear starboard bulkhead, that the bottom of the mast fits in, then the upper portion of the mast rests on the padded rear rail. I hang the boom below the mast suspended by a couple of bungies. I had a sailboat prior to the Evergreen, and the mast and boom are very similar to set up. I trailer the Evergreen. I could take some pics and get them to you if that would help you out. Just let me know.