Hello? everyone, interesting site , and nice to see on the net and find folk with a similar interest.
We shall bring our 1904 Tjalk to UK in about four weeks , depends on the crossing conditions. She is of the Kofftjalk/Kuftjalk type, 90 ft long +bowsprit twin masts, full gaff rig on both main and mizzen with topsails, triple headsails on the 'sprit.
She will be our home now and kept on the Medway for a few years, but we hope to sail her on the Thames as well and go along to some traditional boat gatherings.
She makes a pretty sight under sail (Drink up my hearties,? Yo Ho !)
We shall always be pleased to have friends aboard to enjoy the trip and of course help sail the boat. ( Ah Ha !) , but it will be for a good cause,? we have some plans to try and use the boat to raise some funds for Chernobyl Children's Charities, but it is early days yet.
To enable us to sail with this rig, to reduce costs and hands required,? ?we need to be able to get the mast up and down without using a crane? twice a week !
So ! Is anyone familiar with the counter balance system used on some of the smaller Tjalks where a large hoop is fixed fwd' of the main mast and in the center is a large weight , this is then used to drop and step the mast into a Tabernacle.
I want? to have one fitted and it would be good to speak with anyone who has worked with such a system or seen one working.
I may have explained it badly but I am sure you will know what I am on about .? I look forward to any replies, Thanks
