To all that have shared their thoughts and experience in reference to carrying the mast on deck, Thank you. A special thanks to Capt. Bob. Conclusion, our 33' sloop will become a 54' LOA vessel for the journey from Chicago to Mobile Bay. I have a very substantial metal tube covering system that I can convert parts of to make a tidy support system for the mast and boom. Even a 13' boom could be a bother laying on deck. Thanks again, to all... LB & LB S/V Ilira http://users.tm.net/lb2001