Powerlines & Masts Don't Mix!

[Be Free]

You should be able to get a distance to a wire as long as the wire is not too small, you are not too far away, and you are not bouncing around too much.

You will still need to know either the distance to a point directly under the wire parallel to the water or the angle between horizontal and the wire.

The first measurements will use the Pythagorean theorem and a little algebra to get the height. The second will use trigonometry and a little algebra to do the same. In both cases you need to hold still when you take the measurements.

Alternatively you could get a device used in Forestry to measure the height of trees. It is much more expensive than a simple range finder but it will do all the math for you.

[OverEasy]

Most of the distance measure stuff I’ve used wouldn’t lock on accurately to such relatively small targets.
I’ve actually measured my mast length then measured the height of the cabin top deck to ground while on the trailer. Adding them together gives the ground clearance to mast top when it’s up.
I’ve also measured the top of the lifeline stantions to ground while on the trailer.
Both numbers are written in our old Dodge Caravan glovebox for ‘quick’ reference.
That way when towing I have a fair idea of what clearances I’ll need.
I also carry a 35 ft wide steel tape measure in that van.

That reminds me… I still need to transfer that info to the ‘new to us’ 2017 Ford Transit Van !!!
This time around I think I’ll use that nifty label maker and post that info on the top left corner of the windshield….

Best Regards,
Over Easy

[LakeMac26C]

I recently used a laser rangefinder that my buddy owns to track the distance of some model rockets we were launching. It worked even for a tiny Estes rocket at altitude. Not easy to bullseye it with your naked eye let alone with a scope, but it was doable. Then you would have to do some trigonometry to figure out the actual height and angle to target.

[OverEasy]

Hi LakeMac26C!

Boy that there takes me back to my long ago childhood (not that far away if you ask my Admiral )…..

Nice that you pointed out that there is an angular aspect to be addressed before being able to actually utilize the laser range return distance given by the device (unless one is measuring from the ground surface directly below whatever it is you’re wanting to know the distance to.

As kids, my friends and I launched many model rockets in the fields behind our houses. We initially wanted to know that our rockets were flying below 1500 feet above ground level as a self important Luddite neighbor (who was also a RWNC but that is a crowd that I still can’t figure out ). The RWNC reported us to the local Police who came over and said we were doing something illegal without any actual knowledge of just what the illegality was. Fortunately my Dad had previously had me research and document what the actual relevant laws and requirements actually were.

This involved going to a couple of the local lawyers in town who thought it was a hoot that kids were checking out the law first before doing something ) Model rocketry is not fireworks and as long as planned altitudes of operation were maintained below 1500 AGL (above ground level) then no notification to the FAA was required and that launch operations were not under a designated airport operations area. So there was a fair bit of bicycling around to the lawyers (who were great!) as well as over to the nearest operational airport to talk with the FAA control Tower and the FAA Flight Service Station Managers (who were cool!). We even call the relevant town, county and state offices. The actual staff were good at helping find the local requirements that differentiated between fireworks and model rocketry. My Dad had me make a small binder with all the relevant information and reference documentation along with contacts and phone numbers.

When the RWNC saw the local Cop out talking with us he “triumphantly” strode out to tell us we were a “menace” and should be “locked-up” to “teach us a lesson”. The Cop, who at that point was sorta impressed by our preparations and operations and documentation, turned to the RWNC and told him in no uncertain terms that we were well within our rights to do what we were doing and to never dare bother us again. The now deflated RWNC waddled away with his ego deflated.

To make sure we stayed within the requirements we decided to actually log and record our launches including how high the rockets flew.
As we got better and more proficient we started to get close to that 1500 foot AGL limit. The FAA people anticipated we might so told us to give them a call to coordinate with them. This worked really well. We’d call them a day in advance asking if it would be possible. They’d give us an appropriate tentative 2 hour time window that we’d then call them back to finalize on launch day. When we were finished we’d call them to confirm we had completed our launch operations. They must have had a good chuckle or ten over us but they were also genuinely interested as were the local Cops would occasionally come over to watch and encourage us they also had some stern words with the RWNC when they found out he’d attempted to harass us ).

To document our flights we figured out how to measure our flight altitudes.
We used a pair of ‘sighting’ tripods a set distance away from each other with a pair of protractors on each tripod.
One for the horizontal swing angles and one for the vertical sweep angles mounted with sighting tubes. In Grammar school we would track and record our experimental model rocket flights. Yes, track. We figured out how to set up a rudimentary paper chart recorder for each sighting tripod. We could reasonably calculate our flight path arcs for three dimensions. This was before we were even in the 8th grade… it wasn’t we were particularly bright, it was mainly just being curious and not thinking it wasn’t something we couldn’t do. Reality was it was actually pretty simple then and now. It just took the application of some basic maths and some graph paper. We were after facts, not conjecture or opinion.

We had a fantastic time at this. It opened up a new way of thinking for us as kids which I know helped me as I got older.
Open research, discussions with relevant accredited subject professionals, more research, accurate documentation, pre-emotive regulatory compliance are just some of the skills and concepts that have helped me numerous time over the ensuing decades and in my career.
Actual facts matter more than biases, baseless conjecture and ad-lib BS fear-mongering by RWNCs.

I still have used the maths skills to get an accurate measure of the distances when out on the water.
It’s a little bit backwards from the rocket days as I’m generally at the ‘peak point’ out on the water.
I’ve used two known reference points with a known linear distance between them.
I then measure the angles from where I am on the water to each of those reference points.
The use of the calculator on my phone saves me from having to look up the trigonometry values now vs the tables I had as a kid.
Still fun to do!

Best Regards,
Over Easy

[C Buchs]

Update:
I reached out to a bunch of boat yards before I found one that agreed to quote me for the repairs. I sent the all my pictures and a list of all the parts I need from BWY. They said I would get the quote last Thursday. Today I got an email that my quote is ready, they are sending me an invoice, and as soon as I pay they will send me the quote. How does everyone else feel about paying for a quote? I'll let you all know how much they're charging when they send the invoice.

Jeff

[Jimmyt]

I have never been charged for a quote, but haven’t been in quite the same circumstances.

Still, I think it’s unusual to pay for a quote, unless there is disassembly involved to determine the extent of repairs required.

[C Buchs]

They wanted $225 for the quote. I was able to get the quote without paying this.

$13,650 to replace the mast. That includes: New Mast, All Rigging and halyards, Spreader tubes and spreader roots, All electrical wiring in the mast - Navigation and VHF, VHF antenna, VHF radio ( Garmin 210), Jib cover, Navigation lights- Steaming light and mid mast

$3,260 to replace the rub rail.

That puts their total at $16,910. I paid $13,500 for the boat 8 years ago. I have it insured for $13,000. So at this cost, the insurance company will total the boat.

Jeff

[NiceAft]

I don’t know about the marine repair industry, but with interior designers, it is not unusual to charge for speaking with a potential customer to get an idea of what the job will cost. If the potential customer accepts the job, then what they paid for the desInner showing up is subtracted from the estimate.

[NiceAft]

They wanted $225 for the quote. I was able to get the quote without paying this.

$13,650 to replace the mast. That includes: New Mast, All Rigging and halyards, Spreader tubes and spreader roots, All electrical wiring in the mast - Navigation and VHF, VHF antenna, VHF radio ( Garmin 210), Jib cover, Navigation lights- Steaming light and mid mast

$3,260 to replace the rub rail.

That puts their total at $16,910. I paid $13,500 for the boat 8 years ago. I have it insured for $13,000. So at this cost, the insurance company will total the boat.

Jeff

Then, if you can find one, you can buy another.

[NiceAft]

Unless they told you that, don’t assume it. Here is my insurance company story.

I had a 2004 Prius that had its catalytic converted stolen; right in front of my house. The car was twenty years old. It had over two hundred thousand miles on it. It was also beat up.

To replace the catalytic converter was five thousand dollars. The car was worth three or four hundred dollars. To my surprise, the insurance company made the repair. I was positive it would be totaled.

[Russ]

$13,650 to replace the mast?

Um no
Me thinks you are being gouged.

BWY will sell you a mast pre drilled to spec for $900
https://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/3210-1v0.htm

You should be able to reuse all the rigging. But let's say you replace it with new from BWY, it's another $350

All the fixtures should be reusable. BWY steaming light $28

What's wrong with the jib cover? Is it damaged. BWY $325. Heck, I have one I'm not using I'd give you if you pay shipping.

Wiring? Shouldn't be more than $100
VHF antenna? Is it broken. Why can't it be reused?

All this is easily done by yourself. I would come out and do it for a fraction of that quote.

Get another quote. That's ridiculous in my opinion.

[pitchpolehobie]

turn the quote into the insurance company?

[Russ]

Rubrail $139
https://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/h103-1v0.htm

How to install it.


Heck, for what they are quoting you, I'd fly out there and do all that work for half their price.


Yea, if you put that claim into the insurance company, they will total the boat. They might sell it back to you for salvage.
My dad's boat was damaged in Hurricane Sandy 12 years ago. MANY boats got totaled because repairs were over the value. His boat was almost totaled, although the damage wasn't that severe.

[Stickinthemud57]

Does such a thing even exist? The math is easy enough. The trick is getting accurate rangefinding.

[OverEasy]

Hi C Buchs

!!!STOP!!!
That quote is a BS scam if there ever was!
I agree with Russ.

Most of the hardware and fitting is perfectly good and acceptable and REUSABLE!
THIS IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE!!!

You have all the existing hardware to give you any dimensions you need … this is all pretty simple and straight forward.
BWY can and will ship to you any of the particular parts needed.
A Nicro crimp hand press isn’t a significant cost for the cable stays AND you already have the existing cables to replicate from.
Heck, there are lots of cable companies that will be happy to provide them as part of the cable purchase.
If the cable is eyed to a fitting they can do that too!!!
Again, not rocket science.

You can also probably splice your mast!!!
It’s done all the time. BWY sends the replacement mast in two pieces anyway (so there’s you proof if you needed any that a proper splicing is fully acceptable).

This could be done in a day or two with a hand drill, a center punch and a tape measure for the most part…, seriously.

That yard is scamming you!
They must cater to the nouveau rich who want to brag to their buddies how much they over spent on stuff!
No reputable yard charges for a quote on something as simple as what you are dealing with… personally I’d burn that quote and tell everyone how patently ridiculous and unprofessional that yard is.

Best Regards,
Over Easy