Tony Smith is the designer. He also designed and built the Gemini Catamarans. I had a Telstar and needed to change out the anchor light one day so I dropped the mast at the pier. I had a handful of sailors run over to help with what they thought was a catastrophe only to stand in awe as I lowered, change the bulb, and raised it back by my self. Fun times.
I own a Telstar Trimaran (Hull 352) and bought it new from Performance Cruising and had it shipped back from Anapolis to Minnesota - now in Florida. I was able to tour the factory and meet Tony Smith and spend time with Will Hershfeld, his son-in-law and sail it in the Chesapeake. Our boat is fast, safe and easy to handle and has quite the shallow draft. It is a really well designed boat.
I watched the 'up and down' over and over, and quite frankly, ended up a bit awestruck, with a bit of a headache though. Quite an ingenious system and so valuable insofar as it provides you with the independence that must be at the heart of every trailer sailer. Clever stuff; well done for getting it working.
Alex, my good old Dad used to tell me off for bending straight, he told me it was simply called "straighenng", lol. Great video, you are always so "hands on".
I wont pretend to understand how that works but its simply brilliant. A very elegant solution. On my hawk it was push up by hand, hope and hold on. This is far easier and safe. Now you have it all worked out it will be simple and safe. Good time to test it all having done the roof and mast base.
Well done for keeping your faith in the raising system. Stopping a mast fall over the side is the most difficult element and it looks like this method is stable. Also youve tuned it such that you can stop and adjust the setup. Fab😊
Nice crocs, no plugs. Somebody was having way too much fun with geometry when creating this method. I like the system of raising. complicated, but easy for a single hand. It also keeps the forestay straight. In my method, the forestay (furler) bends and can break at the joints. When raising, you should use the transformer sound effect, Wrrrrrr-CH-KCH-KCH-Wrrrrrr. You forgot to put the boon there. That boom support is pretty cool. The only change I would make is if there is too much tension on the line between the foot of the mast and the winch would be to add a boom sheet between the bottom of the fuller and the bow and you can get double the mechanical advantage.
That’s a good idea! Seems to be fine on the winch with the transition point between the frames being the only hard point. Really like this system especially solo!
Well Alex, it wasn’t until you started raising I got the geometry of this system. It’s brilliant, safe, quick and effortless once set up. I mean if you have any issues with the mast head, light, sheaves, lost halyard then it is super easy it seems to just drop the mask. Excellent. Andy UK
Nice one Alex. Having struggled with mast raising on two earlier trailer sailor boats I’ve owned, I know that this can be frustrating and a little dangerous. The system you have looks scary but also ingenious now you have this sorted. Well done!
I have only had experience with counter-weighted systems with their associated weight and structure issues. This looks more complicated of course but once Alex has done all the clever parts it does seem better. Very interesting. Thanks Alex.
Super engineering, but looks like it takes a long time to set up; well done for getting it sorted out!The Farrier system uses the slightly (aft set) lowers to prevent side to side movement. Takes a bit more oomph to get the first bit up, but uses less hardware and is much quicker.
Thing of joy watching that mast go up and down!! My only comment is about the lifting gear, ddoes that all stay in place permanentky and does it get int the way of sailing at all?
Never seen anything like that system before - impressive design! Wondering ... (with the KISS principle in mind) ... is there something about the design of this boat that prevented having a hinge at the mast step and using an A-frame (Jin-pole) on the foredeck to raise the mast, like most other small deck-stepped masts employ?
Mast is 34ft I think. So that a lot of weight to be dealing with on a lever arm. Also makes it easy as it drops into the transport location so no need to slide it around.
Looks like a great system. Will allow you to single handed raise and lower the mast. I assume the stainless system will be left with trailer while sailing? Too cumbersome to leave in situ.
I see it as a genius leverage puzzle. It is working very nicely. I have no idea how heavy is that mast, but myself, I would rather have a simple more common raising mast system.
Impressive and designed for single handed raising. In the middle of designing my own raising system fully aware of how nerve wracking it can be . Is it possible to stow all the hardware on the boat and do you think it could be used afloat?
Man that system looks almost effortless! You're going to pull up to the ramp and be in the water in under 10 minutes by the looks of it!! Nice!!! Now, without seeing everything together -- how much does the mast raising framework clutter up the deck space -- it looks like you lose some of the easy passage through to the bow around each side where the side supports attach to the cabin top. I guess that's a small price to pay for the ease of operation though.
Very good system. Luckily don’t lose and deck space really. There is a board that goes on the outside which makes getting to the bow so easy. Really well designed!
How much tension do you get on the line at different stages? With my old boat the biggest tension is when the mast is lying flat (see ua-cam.com/video/yFxLTyRWfCE/v-deo.htmlsi=EPgvvFHcnhWcDD_T&t=180). With your system it sees as if its more even throughout. Your system really looks very cool but do all of these heavy metal bars stay in place during sailing?
Tony Smith was originally a English Boat designer and Builder who moved to Annapolis, Md. where he built over 1,000 cruising Catamarans before he designed that Tri and rig and retired, Fair winds and smooth seas to you Tony and Sue when ever you are.
Interesting idea from an engineering perspective but overcomplicated. Wouldn't like to do it in a breeze. A simple telescopic A frame in aluminium with 3mm sidewalls overlapping I ternally by 30% up to spreaders height would suffice. A frame Legs tied to shroud chainplate eyes to stop movement. Simple block and tackle to A frame intersect with a lassoo eye in line. 1 front sheet from a frame top to forestay chainplate and 2 rear lines from a frame top - one to each rear quarter (eg to port and starboard rear cleats) to steady a frame. Then lift and steady - simples.. especially if block and tackle has a camcleat in bottom block...
I have that kind of system on my last boat and it was stable enough but not really in high wind. I’d trust this system way more in the wind. The mast is probably a bit to big to be using an a frame and it would also be a challenge to slide the mast back before lifting too. The speed benefit is the main thing.
Hats off to the person who designed that solution.
So clever!
And, to the young man who figured it out😅
Tony Smith is the designer. He also designed and built the Gemini Catamarans. I had a Telstar and needed to change out the anchor light one day so I dropped the mast at the pier. I had a handful of sailors run over to help with what they thought was a catastrophe only to stand in awe as I lowered, change the bulb, and raised it back by my self. Fun times.
Brilliant story! I get quite the audience at the slipway!
I own a Telstar Trimaran (Hull 352) and bought it new from Performance Cruising and had it shipped back from Anapolis to Minnesota - now in Florida. I was able to tour the factory and meet Tony Smith and spend time with Will Hershfeld, his son-in-law and sail it in the Chesapeake. Our boat is fast, safe and easy to handle and has quite the shallow draft. It is a really well designed boat.
That’s amazing! I’m really liking this boat so far. Super interesting design and perfect for what I need!
What have I just witnessed! Whoever designed that has a mighty brain, along with the croc wearing sidekick who fathomed it all out of course.
It such a cool system! Glad you liked it😁
Absolutely brilliant solution. Certainly beats paying through the nose for every step and un-step.
Exactly! It’s sooooo gooood!
I watched the 'up and down' over and over, and quite frankly, ended up a bit awestruck, with a bit of a headache though. Quite an ingenious system and so valuable insofar as it provides you with the independence that must be at the heart of every trailer sailer. Clever stuff; well done for getting it working.
Thank you! I really like it!!!!
That mast raising setup is a thing of beauty!
Indeed it is!
Alex, my good old Dad used to tell me off for bending straight, he told me it was simply called "straighenng", lol. Great video, you are always so "hands on".
Hahah. Thank you I really appreciate it!!!
I wont pretend to understand how that works but its simply brilliant. A very elegant solution. On my hawk it was push up by hand, hope and hold on. This is far easier and safe. Now you have it all worked out it will be simple and safe. Good time to test it all having done the roof and mast base.
It will make a big difference compared to what I’m used to!
Wow that is very impressive clever was the person who came up with that
Indeed!
A beautiful bit of engineering could watch that all day. Well worked out.
It’s great!!!
I can feel a power Winch coming on!
👀
Well done for keeping your faith in the raising system. Stopping a mast fall over the side is the most difficult element and it looks like this method is stable. Also youve tuned it such that you can stop and adjust the setup. Fab😊
It super safe and really easy. Will make life easy at the boat ramp!
Thus proving that with a fulcrum you will move the world. Brilliant set up.👍
It’s really good! Will make it so easy down at the ramp!
Wow, I bet the new raising system will save you so much time ! Another great video, thanks Alex !!!
Indeed it will!!!
Brilliant guy! Hats Off!!!!
@@rjcote45 thank you!
Nice crocs, no plugs. Somebody was having way too much fun with geometry when creating this method. I like the system of raising. complicated, but easy for a single hand. It also keeps the forestay straight. In my method, the forestay (furler) bends and can break at the joints. When raising, you should use the transformer sound effect, Wrrrrrr-CH-KCH-KCH-Wrrrrrr. You forgot to put the boon there. That boom support is pretty cool. The only change I would make is if there is too much tension on the line between the foot of the mast and the winch would be to add a boom sheet between the bottom of the fuller and the bow and you can get double the mechanical advantage.
That’s a good idea! Seems to be fine on the winch with the transition point between the frames being the only hard point. Really like this system especially solo!
Wow that’s impressive how easy it’s looks like 👍
It’s the best!
Well Alex, it wasn’t until you started raising I got the geometry of this system. It’s brilliant, safe, quick and effortless once set up. I mean if you have any issues with the mast head, light, sheaves, lost halyard then it is super easy it seems to just drop the mask. Excellent. Andy UK
It has to be seen to be understood as I didn’t have a clue when I first looked at it! Thanks again Andy!
Such a well thought out design!
I love it and so does my back 😂
What an amazing way of doing it. Well done for working it out. Keep the videos coming. I can't wait to see you out in the solent sailing her.
Plenty more to come😁
Came here from the shoutout in the latest OYZ, great channel, fun + informative
Amazing!!!! Glad to see you!
Very clever and really interesting Alex , well done for getting it working correctly . Another great video cheers
Thanks! Glad you liked it!
Looks great, that's a big mast. I wonder if a slightly less complicated system could work for smaller masts.
Maybe! 🤔
brilliant just brilliant , well done.
Cheers!
Yes, great videos. It's going help me figure out my project Telstar 28. Thanks!
Keep in touch! If you need any info drop me a message!
It is an excellent idea❤
I think so too!
Nice one Alex. Having struggled with mast raising on two earlier trailer sailor boats I’ve owned, I know that this can be frustrating and a little dangerous. The system you have looks scary but also ingenious now you have this sorted. Well done!
It’s amazing! Thanks for watching!
I have only had experience with counter-weighted systems with their associated weight and structure issues. This looks more complicated of course but once Alex has done all the clever parts it does seem better. Very interesting. Thanks Alex.
Definitely an interesting system!
Super engineering, but looks like it takes a long time to set up; well done for getting it sorted out!The Farrier system uses the slightly (aft set) lowers to prevent side to side movement. Takes a bit more oomph to get the first bit up, but uses less hardware and is much quicker.
Yeah first setup takes a while but never has to be done again. Just dive down and pull one rope and it’s up!
Thats epic, big fan!
It is!!!
Looks incredibly complicated, but by crikey, it works beautifully. No lower back problems in your future.
Exactly 😂
Genius engineering, better than the falling derrick method.
I really like it!!!
Thing of joy watching that mast go up and down!!
My only comment is about the lifting gear, ddoes that all stay in place permanentky and does it get int the way of sailing at all?
All stays in place and it doesn’t get in the way and is really nice for hand holds too!
Thats pretty damn cool, wonder how long that took to figure out when they designed that...
Ages probably!
Never seen anything like that system before - impressive design! Wondering ... (with the KISS principle in mind) ... is there something about the design of this boat that prevented having a hinge at the mast step and using an A-frame (Jin-pole) on the foredeck to raise the mast, like most other small deck-stepped masts employ?
Mast is 34ft I think. So that a lot of weight to be dealing with on a lever arm. Also makes it easy as it drops into the transport location so no need to slide it around.
Looks like a great system. Will allow you to single handed raise and lower the mast. I assume the stainless system will be left with trailer while sailing? Too cumbersome to leave in situ.
Stays attached but doesn’t get in the way. Adds to the weight though 😬
Remember when I was young and my father said this is the perfect time to get a skyhook.
I see it as a genius leverage puzzle. It is working very nicely.
I have no idea how heavy is that mast, but myself, I would rather have a simple more common raising mast system.
It’s a clever system! A more common system couldn’t handle the weight and would be impractical to use so this is the best solution to handle it.
Wow brilliant
Cheers!
Looks like it works great, but it is quite a contraption.
It definitely is!
Impressive and designed for single handed raising. In the middle of designing my own raising system fully aware of how nerve wracking it can be . Is it possible to stow all the hardware on the boat and do you think it could be used afloat?
Can be used afloat and all the frames stay in place so no need to set it all up. Definitely a great system and safe too!
Man that system looks almost effortless! You're going to pull up to the ramp and be in the water in under 10 minutes by the looks of it!! Nice!!! Now, without seeing everything together -- how much does the mast raising framework clutter up the deck space -- it looks like you lose some of the easy passage through to the bow around each side where the side supports attach to the cabin top. I guess that's a small price to pay for the ease of operation though.
Very good system. Luckily don’t lose and deck space really. There is a board that goes on the outside which makes getting to the bow so easy. Really well designed!
I had a 24ft sailboat and took me an hour to prep for launch. 45m to trailer. So I envy you.
I could probably get this rigged in 30mins but I can launch immediately as I can raise and lower on the water!
Fantastic do u take the frame down to sail😂 love you vids
All stays as it is! Doesn’t get in the way. Only thing is that it’s more weight though.
Hi Alex, love your channel. I just built a similar system on my sailboat. Works great. Posted a video of it on my channel.
@@JohnVH-diy that’s awesome! Will take a look!
O. Clever
Indeed!
How much tension do you get on the line at different stages? With my old boat the biggest tension is when the mast is lying flat (see ua-cam.com/video/yFxLTyRWfCE/v-deo.htmlsi=EPgvvFHcnhWcDD_T&t=180). With your system it sees as if its more even throughout. Your system really looks very cool but do all of these heavy metal bars stay in place during sailing?
The transition between the frames is the only tight bit but it’s not too bad. All the frames stay in place too which is nice except for the weight!
Rumour has it, the guy who designed this mast raising system also built the pyramids.
Tony Smith was originally a English Boat designer and Builder who moved to Annapolis, Md. where he built over 1,000 cruising Catamarans before he designed that Tri and rig and retired, Fair winds and smooth seas to you Tony and Sue when ever you are.
😂
@@randybruce3824 quite the story!
For the algorithm, 🙂
Thank you!
Interesting idea from an engineering perspective but overcomplicated. Wouldn't like to do it in a breeze. A simple telescopic A frame in aluminium with 3mm sidewalls overlapping I ternally by 30% up to spreaders height would suffice. A frame Legs tied to shroud chainplate eyes to stop movement. Simple block and tackle to A frame intersect with a lassoo eye in line. 1 front sheet from a frame top to forestay chainplate and 2 rear lines from a frame top - one to each rear quarter (eg to port and starboard rear cleats) to steady a frame. Then lift and steady - simples.. especially if block and tackle has a camcleat in bottom block...
I have that kind of system on my last boat and it was stable enough but not really in high wind. I’d trust this system way more in the wind. The mast is probably a bit to big to be using an a frame and it would also be a challenge to slide the mast back before lifting too. The speed benefit is the main thing.
Mast raising system is next level, cracking job
Cheers!
Every tool is a hammer (except screwdrivers, they're chisels)
Exactly 😂👌
That’s called over engineering. Just connect the bottom on something with a hinge and push it up. It’s not even big.
Yeah no chance of pushing up this 34ft mast. I can’t even do that with a 22ft mast on my last boat that hinged!
To complicated. Check out the Hunter system or Corsair
Only a little complicated but well worth it for the benefits. Also no need to set it up every time and it’s very safe and quick.
I’d consider removing it if you ever race. You can always leave the frames on the trailer.
Yeah the weight reduction would be well worth it!
that was egineered not just designed i know folk will argue but there a difference.
There is a difference!
looks over complicated
It is but it works a treat!
Absolutely brilliant solution. Certainly beats paying through the nose for every step and un-step.
unless you were part of a sailing club, where there is often a derick to lift and lower masts....for no cost as a member benifit.
@@simontaylor3492 do they have those in the uk?
@@AlexGoesSailing Yes Alex. I am at Portchester Sailing Club (opposite Port Solent) and we have a Derick for members use. No charge to use.
@@simontaylor3492 that’s very handy!