Were all R25 Classics Built with the Mast?

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NorthernFocus

NorthernFocus

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 29, 2014
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1,374
Location
Alaska
Website
www.northernfocusphotography.com
Fluid Motion Model
R-25 Classic
Hull Identification Number
FMLT25910808
Vessel Name
Divine Focus
As esthetically pleasing as it looks, I hate that mast with a passion. Were all of the R25 fitted with the mast or was there an option for a fixed radar mount and a shorter anchor light?
 
Well, hate on.
The answers to your questions are yes and no.
 
Hello,

Yes, all of the R-25 classics were built with a mast and no there isn't any other option in that regards.

-Kenny
 
I have not gotten out a tape measure but I think if you check the coast guard lighting requirements and the location of the red and green running lights a shorter mast would not provide an appropriate height for the white light. I have had express cruisers with white lights much closer to the windshield (with the red and green mounted down on the gunwale)and the glare is annoying when trying to navigate in the dark.
 
I think the reg is 3ft separation between side and masthead lights for power boats between 23ft and 39ft. Sailboats get to put them all together at the masthead if they wish.

Even if the masthead light was on a hinged mast by itself it wouldn't be bad. At least there would be no need for the stays while deployed and support while towing. My little C-Dory had a hinged mast on it. Took 30 seconds to deploy/stowe.

I'm all about simple. A fixed mast eliminates several pieces of hardware and one task during launch/retrieve. But it's low on the list of priorities for now 🙁
 
The mast and attendant mounts on the 2015 R25SC do exactly what you need. The radar is on a fixed mount and does not fold down with the mast. It looks like the radar mount is really separate from the mast and could be used without the mast. Not sure if the newer mounts are adaptable to a vintage boat, as I have never seen a vintage boat up close.
As far as a light, those are available in a lot of places.
 
tlkenyon":2ar2ydps said:
The mast and attendant mounts on the 2015 R25SC do exactly what you need. The radar is on a fixed mount and does not fold down with the mast. It looks like the radar mount is really separate from the mast and could be used without the mast. Not sure if the newer mounts are adaptable to a vintage boat, as I have never seen a vintage boat up close.
As far as a light, those are available in a lot of places.
Click to expand...
Well that's interesting. Could you maybe take a photo or two and either post or send them to me? Maybe a shot of the base of the mast and an overall view. Maybe in the OP I simply asked the wrong question 😉
 
Sorry for the delay. Here are some pics of the mast arrangement on the new 25Ssc. You can see that the radar does not move when the mast is lowered.

Calm seas and cold beer....

TK



 
Hello TK,

Are there stays on the newer style mast? I don't see any in your pics.

dave
 
There are no wire stays on the mast. It is free-standing, and quite sturdy.
 
tlkenyon":3kqngoye said:
There are no wire stays on the mast. It is free-standing, and quite sturdy.
Click to expand...

Oh thats a VERY nice feature! I lost a pin on mine recently while trailering...when you have one stay taught and the other loose...well, things get interesting in a BAD sense.

Now I've got spares. Not having any stays at all is the best way, I think.

dave
 
Agreed, it makes raising and powering the mast pretty easy. My only concern is that the radome is somewhat lower and I am concerned about aft interference due to the sport racks, antennae and other metal stuff up high. I have not used the radar very much and still have quite a bit to learn about it.
 
I removed the mast on my R-25, stored it in thr attic and bolted the radar to thr mast base. The anchor light is a new led anchor light fitted to the top of the mast. Two feet or so better bridge clearance.
 
Actually, there was one R-25 built without a mast. It was John and Laurie's green, Laurie Ann. Check out their link on the Tugnuts cover page for pictures.

There were two R29's built with shorter masts. Zuma and Karma both had short masts. On Karma though, we chose to add a second mast set further aft.
 
Here is the link to a photo of SLO Ranger, showing the radar mounting which was added after we purchased her in 2012. In 2007, the mast was an option, which was declined by the original owner. You'll notice the mount raises the radome above the level of the funnel which houses the radar reflector.
Joe

gallery2.php?g2_itemId=34180
 
The mast was an option along with thrusters believe it or not. We might have built a few without the mast and none without thrusters so we made them standard in 2008. The new style mast will not work with the R21EC and will not work with the 25 classic that utilized a side folding mast. Definitely a good addition without the cables and having the radar fixed mounted makes it much lighter to raise and lower.
 
Andrew Custis":gvvfvjwb said:
...The new style mast will not work with the R21EC and will not work with the 25 classic that utilized a side folding mast...
Click to expand...
Andrew, could you expound on why it can't be retrofitted? Looking at the photos posted above it is not self evident why it couldn't be done. Granted it may not be a straight bolt on but seemingly with some minor mods it could work. Would the factory be willing to sell one of the new style masts for owner installation? I ask because this off-season the mast on my boat WILL go. It's simply a question as to what I replace it with. IMO that thing should have never made it out of someone's idea generator...
 
Sorry, we do not offer these masts for sale for retrofit. I'm sure it could be done with modification just like anything on a boat. 😀

Best regards,

Andrew
 
OK, Andrew, thanks for the reply. But it seems like you guys would be glad to sell a new mast and have one less example of that previous abomination out there floating around for the world to see. Plus who knows what sort of ugly thing I might kluge together and tell everyone that it came that way originally 😉
 
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