Single handed mast raising
Ed, I made a mast raising system that works well for me. It is a modified gin pole made from a kiln dried 2x4 that is notched on one end so that it can be mounted (perpendicular to the mast) about 6 inches from the base of the mast and held there by a cargo ratchet strap. The notch conforms to the outline of the mast and is lined with rubber to help keep it snug once the nylon strap is cinched down. The length of the 2x4 is determined by the distance from the base of the mast to the bow chain plate. It has a small winch mounted with a rope that runs through a forward-facing pulley that then attaches to the bow chain plate. The jib halyard is attached to the stern-facing end of the 2x4 and cleated off. I got the idea from an article on the net entitled "Capri 18 Mast Raiser" by Erik VanRenselaar (www.catalina18.net/articles/mast_raiser.htm). The gin pole is designed so that I can do everything while standing in one place on the port side of the boat. What makes it work safely however is a bridle system I modified from an article from Good Old Boat (May/June 2001) entitled "No Fear Mast Stepping" by Ron Chappell. The bridle is a four point rope system (two lines go to secure points on the deck, one to the gin pole and the fourth to a point on the mast about 6- 7 feet up). There are port and starboard bridles which, when attached, steady the mast and gin pole to prevent any swaying as the mast comes up. The four ropes each attach to a ring that is on a imaginary line extending from the pivot point of the mast. I can raise the mast single handed in less than 10 minutes even in heavy cross winds. The winch can be locked at any point and allow me to adjust shrouds or tangled lines. The entire rig cost less than $100. E-mail me if need more details. Good luck. Ray Hodges aboard Second Chance. (pairodoks@aol.com)