Scarlattikvarten - Launching, rigging and trailering

Launching & rigging

Get it off trailer Step 1: Get the darn thing off the trailer. Wooden ramps, tilting the trailer, wheeled GRP cradles and some help is all that is needed.

Assembly Step 2a: Assemble close to the water.

Bending on net Step 2b: Bending on the trampolines is the toughest part.

Into water Step 3: Push her into the water. Note the small wheels under the hulls. They belong to custom built GRP cradles in which the hulls also rest when the boat sits on its trailer.

Water edge Step 4: Tie her up to the very edge of the water and prepare her for receiving the rig.

The rigging procedure has been basically the same since we rigged Scarlattikvarten the first time back in 1986. I have never used a crane to step the mast.

The design of the mast step is crucial for this process. The mast step allows the mast to rotate in sailing mode. In mast stepping mode the mast is bolted to the mast step in such a way that it pivots in a plane parallel to the hulls:

Mast foot function

Raising mast Here is how it works in reality. The mast is raised by using the boom as a lever. Part of the main sheet is used as a 4:1 tackle. Both boom and mast have temporary 'shrouds'. Right now the mast raising is paused and the fore stay is attached to the seagull striker.

Once the mast is in its correct position one attaches the real shrouds and move the mast step into its sailing position. Then comes assembly of main sheet, jib sheets... Most of this is done while motoring to the marina.

Launching by crane Well, in the past few years we have been forced to launch by crane. The procedure is by and large the same though and the crane guy is much friendlier than the people that claimed the beach.