Mast tabernacle

[cs]

is supposed to be 3-1/2" x 3-1/2" x 47". If I buy 1x4's that would take 5 to get my thickness, no problem.

But a 1x4 is 3-1/2" at best. By the time I glue them up and than clean them up I would end up with a tabernacle that would be something less the 3-1/2", probably closer to 3-1/4".

Or I could buy it in 1x6 and get excatly what I need at twice the cost. Not available in 1x10 which would work also.

What say you? Use the 1x4 and end up slightly smaller, but save money. Or use the 1x6 and get excatly what is spec'ed but at twice the cost.

On another note. When putting in the tabernacle should the laminations run fore and aft or beam to beam?

Chad

[Tom Robb]

Generally we make de little bits from de big bits.
Given the BigBoxing of the lumber market, the best stuff is often cut from the longest widest planks you can get.
Or go to a sawyer for some righteous timber.
What sort of wood are you using? Smaller than designed is generally not indicated.

[htom]

Twelve foot 1x8 even today should be at least 7 1/4", rip down the center for 3.5+" and not use one of the six pieces in the lamination.

[Dave R]

Chad, why laminate the tabernacle at all? The designer intended that a 4x4 be used for that. It worked on my boat and all the others I've seen and/or sailed. For that matter, the mast is also supposed to be made from a 4x4 although I had a wooden mast available so I used that for the above the hinge portion.

By the way, I added about 8 or 10" to the tabernacle and raised the boom so it would clear noggins in the cockpit. I also added 3' to the total length to make 18' 1". That allowed me to spread out the hardware aloft and get a better lead on the peak halyard.

Some folks have problems with gaff jaws hanging up in the shrouds with things done as in the plans.

[cs]

I'm using doug fir to make the mast and the tabernacle. It is not readily available in 1x8's. The biggest they have is 1x6.

Dave the 4x4 available around here are construction yard pine and I prefer the doug fir.

Chad

edited to add:
I've considered making the tabernacle out of white oak and using doug fir for the mast.

[ 04-15-2005, 07:00 AM: Message edited by: cs ]

[htom]

Four four foot 1x6:

Three ripped into 1x4(true) + 1x1.25(true)
One ripped into 2"(true)+2"(true)+scrap

outer layer, 1x4
inner layer, 1.25+2+1.25
innermost layer 1x4
inner layer, 1.25+2+1.25
outer layer, 1x4

Edit:
Might be easier to buy five 1x6 and have five 1x2 to use elsewhere.

[ 04-15-2005, 11:05 AM: Message edited by: htom ]

[Dave R]

Chad, my tabernacle is a cedar 4x4 from the big orange box. It works fine and is plenty strong. I ripped the left over piece into planks and grilled some salmon on them. Yummy. :D

[boatlover]

Originally posted by cs:
is supposed to be 3-1/2" x 3-1/2" x 47". If I buy 1x4's that would take 5 to get my thickness, no problem.

But a 1x4 is 3-1/2" at best. By the time I glue them up and than clean them up I would end up with a tabernacle that would be something less the 3-1/2", probably closer to 3-1/4".

Or I could buy it in 1x6 and get excatly what I need at twice the cost. Not available in 1x10 which would work also.

What say you? Use the 1x4 and end up slightly smaller, but save money. Or use the 1x6 and get excatly what is spec'ed but at twice the cost.

On another note. When putting in the tabernacle should the laminations run fore and aft or beam to beam?

ChadChad,

I am having trouble visualising this tabernacle.

I thought that a mast tabernacle ran solid from the mast step up through and just above the deck, then all but the sides and back (or front) were omitted, and the mast stepped inside the "C", with a pivot bolt from side to side, through the sides and a mast extension.

The tabernacle you describe sounds like it is one solid piece of timber.

Does the mast stand on top of it ?

Or does the mast have an extension that somehow fits inside the tabernacle, and the mast pivots from vertical to horizontal for travel ?

Regards,

Ed R

[Dave R]

Ed, the tabernacle on the Weekender consists of a 3 1/2 x 3 1/2" square post which steps on the keel and comes up through the deck. It extends above the height of the cabin. (I forget how much and I raised mine a bit to allow a higher boom position.) The gooseneck is attached to the tabernacle and the mast is hinged about 8 inches I'm guessing since I haven't got the plans in front of me) above the gooseneck. The plan indicates the hinge to be a gate hinge on the aft side. A second gate hinge is to be installed on the front side. It has its pin removed to be replaced by a bolt. Removing the bolt allows the mast to hinge down.

The plans call for the mast to be made from a 4x4 with a taper worked in above where the shrouds attach.

Not quite like the more traditional tabernacle but it works well.

[boatlover]

Dave R,

Thanks ! Now I understand.

I had tried to find out what Chad was building,
but because of CRS - note the "R", Chad - and the circumstance that the search thingy is busted, .....

Chad,

With the hinges fore and aft, I would think that running the laminations from side-to-side would be best for holdng screws. If the hinges are mounted directly opposite (vertically speaking) then bolts would do fine, regardless of the direction of the lamination lines. (Assuming that the hinge fastening holes are in alignment.)

regards,

Ed R

[Canoeyawl]

1x8 doug fir is readily available in the lumber yard as Stair Treads... perfect, clear, dry and vertical grain - usually a full 5 quarters

[cs]

Good advice so far.

The lumbar yards here carry either red oak or SYP for stair treads. I have thought about using the SYP for the tabernacle, but I would really like to have the same material all the way up.

Chad