Our Mizzenmast was wooden and on the back side of the mizzen just about shoulder level was a big ole’ bell. We didn’t sail DreamChaser much since buying her as we have been busy on the refit but always tempted to use the bell. Oh who am I kidding, it rang more than once from her slip.
The mounting bracket is cast bronze, and it mounted directly to the mast. The bracket slid down into it and had the bell on the end of the bracket. The “ringer” had a nice braided line on the end with a small monkey’s fist. Over time the sun did a number on the line, and it frayed and fell off.
Now that we are getting ready to put the new aluminum mast on, the question is what is the best way to mount this. I am thinking of making a small wooden plate that will attach to the spar and then have the bell attached to that. Or I could find another location, but I liked where it was.
The question I have for you, the would-be reader, is should we polish this to a shine or leave it with a patina on it. I must tell you the lazy side of me is leaning toward leaving it the way it is, but the “ship shape” side of me thinks it would be a great accent piece