Mast displacement mechanism

Claim 1

A mast displacement mechanism for a vessel having a hull and an upstanding mast with a lower end, said mechanism comprising: a cradle supported by the hull and defining arcuate track means of a radius of curvature of a first predetermined finite length, a carriage movable with respect to said track means and limit means to limit movement of said carriage, means on the carriage to connect to the mast at about the hull level for movement of said lower end together with the carriage relative to the track; lock means to lock the carriage in selected positions with respect to said track means for tilting the mast; said carriage comprising a forward pair and a rearward pair of wheels captivated by said track means; operator means effective to tilt the mast when said lock means is not restraining movement of the lower end of the mast; and said operator means comprising a plurality of teeth comprising a rack in said track means and a gear on said carriage in engagement with said rack including an operator shaft extending outwardly of said track and in engagement with said gear so that upon rotation of the gear the carriage will move with respect to said track means.