Trailering with side-folding mast

[abcandjrc]

It may just be me because about 15 years ago a Sweetgum tree on the Dismal Swamp Canal "ate" the tricolor on the top of our mast, 49 feet above the water. Today we took out our R21-EC for the first time (vintage 2007, so the mast folds to the side). We checked clearances in and out of our driveway and I stayed well toward the center of the road. Someplace on the return trip a Live Oak tree along the highway "ate" our mast light. The big-rigs keep them beaten back pretty high and pretty wide, but at 55 mph, one of the branches smacked the light and destroyed it.

We just bought the boat and removed the mast for the 200 mile trip home. After today, I believe we will do the same anytime we are trailering. I am working on a compromise which will allow me to stow it on the pilot house roof, but not overhanging the hull, let alone the wheels of the trailer.

It appears polls are disabled on the site, but here are the choices I would have put on one. Feel free to jump in, but please "vote" only if you trailer an R21 with a side-folding mast.

I never trailer with the mast folded. I remove it to protect it.

I always trailer with the mast folded and never have had a problem.

I used to trailer with the mast folded until it was damaged.

I still trailer with the mast folded even though it was damaged at least once.

(If anyone knows offhand who made the light and what model it is, I'd appreciate it if you could tell me.)

 

[Stella Maris]

Well, we never owned or towed a R-21 but we did own and tow an R-25 (with the side fold mast). We towed it close to 5000 miles with no damage to the mast. That was until the day we were taking it to the factory to trade it in on our R-29..... We smacked a stop signal good within a mile of the factory!!! Not only did we take off the light, we bent the mast! Good thing I was trading it in! The factory was kind enough to take care of it as part of the deal. Oh, and the traffic light, it still hanging there taunting me everytime I drive under it.......

The lamp is an Aqua Signal. If you contact the factory, you can order one directly from them for a very reasonable price.

 

[RICH002]

Good Morning,
Terry and i have an 08 R25 right down the road from you in Pascagoula Ms. Our mast folds to the side as well. i remove the light before every trip. If we do not i have to get the spare out of my parts box and replace it. Those Aqua signal lights are readily available locally at west and at acadamey sports. The reason we keep a spare is i broke it several times before figuring out take it off or replace.
I only unscrew the lense and take out the bulb. hope to see yall around cause as far as we know we are the only Ranger tug cruising Mississippi sound and company would be welcome!!!

 

[commander bill]

My R25 is also a 2008 model with side folding mast. Once you install a radome it becomes harder to remove mast. I have had issues with small tree limbs and cable TV lines but so far I have been on the lookout and been able to stop and maneuver around them. I also had an unfortunate Owl which left behind his head after a poorly timed encounter with my mast cables. I failed to research the potential for it being an endangered species. It is important to note that the actual high point is not in hte center of the boat but rather more toward the port side for the side folding mast. I have not had an opportunity to closely inspect the newer design but I assume it provides more clearance & possibly easier (1 person) operation.

 

[abcandjrc]

Sounds like I am not the only one with the problem. I guess there are hazards all over the country.

In the light of day, and on reflection (i.e. I got my brain in gear) I looked at the sidelights and found that they are Aqua Signal Series 25. Looking at Aqua Signal's on-line catalog the masthead light is obviously the same. I will pick one up and get back in business.

I will continue to work on something to stow the mast on the pilot house roof. I am an engineer (long retired) and am addicted to working with PVC so anything I come up with will be priced at only a couple bucks. If I come up with anything I am happy with, I will post it here. It won't be as quick and easy as the factory setup, but may be a little less likely to wipe out the masthead light while trailering.

RICH002: We have cruised Mississippi Sound in the past when we lived-aboard for a few years. I am quite familiar with Pascagola, even having annoyed the security folks at Ingalls Shipyard once by asking too many questions. 😱 Not you, I hope.

 

[wefings]

Lets just say I am very familiar with replacing the Aqua Signal light from many tree lined adventures .
Marc

 

[RICH002]

The folks at The Yard do get a little testy sometimes. We live on bayou Chico if you are up this way give us a shout we have a good ramp Very near the house and a spare dock for an overnight,
My number is 228 623 2803

 

[Gratitude]

I decided after wiping out a light and tweeking the base plate to reverse the mast so it folds to the port side of the boat. It was easy to do. I removed the fiberglass stack structure and revearsed the plate. I left the original starboard side hardware in place and duplicated it on the portside. (factory was great in getting the necessary hardware) The mast now rests much closer to the center of the road making it less vunerable.

 

[commander bill]

Marc,
I am not surprised at you having to replace lights after having to work my way around the trees on various lanes in your home town. Honestly Aplach has to have the lowest tree limbs I have ever encountered.

 

[doke01]

I used to trailer with the mast folded until it was damaged.

A tree tried to rip the entire mast off of our 2007 R25 a couple of years ago. Since then I always remove it when travelling.

Like that you call a 2007 boat 'vintage'. 🙂