Sliding Gunter Rig

[LeeCopp]

Greetings from sunny Florida,

I am the new owner of a 1972 Clark Mills Suncat 17 (an open cockpit cat rig, twin bilgeboards) , the predecessor of the current Com-Pac Suncat. She is currently set up with a Bermuda on a mast which is hinged about 1.5 feet above the fore-deck ... pictures at www.suncat.dittybag.net

The resulting geometry results in the 23' 45# (est) mast resting in the gallows at shoulder making it necessary to use some sort of lifting rig . The short fore-deck (3') of course makes the usual methods of gaff poles and a-frames more challenging. My existing tripod rig (from the previous owner) works, but seems like a somewhat clumsy solution. I think I would like the ability to drop the mast while on the water in order to sneak under some local bridges.

In the Brian Toss book, "Rigger's Apprentice", the boat KATY (p 173) is of very similar dimensions to my boat and the Sliding Gunter rig appeals to me and seems like a possible solution.

Has anyone done a burmuda to sliding gunter conversion or have pictures of the critical connections? I was planning to sew a new sail so this would be the right time to make the change.

Thanks for any information or comments.

Lee