New RGYC Mast-Up Storage Facility
10 Spaces left - $258.15/6 Months

1-855-560-RGYC (7492) - Ask for Rich


What is Mast-Up Storage?

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Sailboats 16' and under can usually be rigged and launched from the beach. Much of the Elephant Butte Lake western shore is sandy beach, and catamarans and dinghies are conveniently launched from the shore. Above that length, a hoist of some sort is usually needed to hoist the mast, either a jury-rig or a permanent mast pole and crane. Such mast poles are located near Marina del Sur, next to the "old" RGYC Mast-Up Storage Facility and other is at the Rock Canyon Marina. This picture shows RGYC sailors using the Marina Del Sur mast-pole/crane to re-step the mast on a Columbia 26, prior to re-launch.

Mast-up storage solves the problem of rigging a large sailboat before each launch and and unrigging after use. That is a time-consuming process that could take half a day or more. With mast-up storage and sufficient overhead clearance for the mast between the storage and boat ramp, a sailboat can be rigged once at a venue and then be stored dry and essentially ready to launch.

RGYC provides a launch truck for those who want to drive a more economical vehicle to and from the lake. This truck is a 1 ton dodge with a hitch on both ends which does a good job of launching and retrieving and parking boats. It stays in the facility and is to be used by any of the renters. An annual day-use placard is kept in the truck. There is also a hydraulic hand truck which can also be used to park boats in tight spaces. Although designed to be used on black-top, it works well for lighter boats.

The lake does not have crane hoists, but a sailboat up to 30' or so with a regular fixed keel can be readily launched from its trailer at launch ramps near the two marinas mentioned above. The trailer must have drive-on/drive-off modifications and be able to roll back on its own. The trailer is typically launched using a tow line connected to a vehicle. Trailer tongue extensions usually do not work well except on smaller sailboats (under 20') or ones with retractable keels. RGYC will work with mast-up renters to help configure their trailers if necessary. Wet slips are also available at the Rock Canyon Marina and to limited extent at Marina del Sur and Dam-Site Marina (all run by a different organization - Lago Rico, see Rock Canyon Marina, DamSite Marina, Marina Del Sur.

Locations of the Marinas with launching ramps, and the "Mast-Up" area are shown in the images below_
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The RGYC Mast-Up Storage Facility is a public concession operated by the Rio Grande Yacht Club for the New Mexico State Parks. The RGYC Policy Statement can be seen here ...
rgyc_policy_statement.doc
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