l need to inspect my h34 mast and make improvements so l need to take it down. Can l use the gin pole at my club with a few helpful boat owners or is this a job for a boatyard to do ?
h34 mast removal
- Thread starter hightower
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Without knowing the size of your ginpole it's hard to say. I've taken mine down several times with just my son and I. It is heavy it took 4 of us to move it around the yard by hand. I have seen a 2 wheel cart made to balance it on and then you only need a couple of people to move it around.
If you are lifting with it and then swinging the mast over the dock/pier to lay it down, make sure that your lifting point is above the centre of balance for the mast. Further to the previous post...not light and takes a few people at least to manhandle.
It is heavy and it is awkward. I have taken mine down every year ( 11 years) and it can still get to be a problem. The B&R rigging has a lot of cabling that can catch on things.
The balance point is just above the steaming light ( a couple of feet will ensure the mast is butt heavy when you lift it. This is very important.)
I would suggest if you have not done it before either get some one experienced to help you or get the yard to do it and watch carefully.
The balance point is just above the steaming light ( a couple of feet will ensure the mast is butt heavy when you lift it. This is very important.)
I would suggest if you have not done it before either get some one experienced to help you or get the yard to do it and watch carefully.
As others have said that mast is heavy. With all the rigging + a roller furler if so equipped, you are probably looking at upwards of 300 lbs. For 14 years now I have had to unstep/restep mine every year, sometimes 3 times a year if traveling. Attached pdf shows the easiest way I have found to do it to avoid snagging the lifting sling between shroud and mast.
Recently, when mast was down, I also added rubber bushing at the bottom of the shroud just above the lower spreader. It helps prevent your lifting sling from being pinched. As you'll see on some of the pictures, we have a crane at my club, which makes it a whole lot easier and safer than a gin-pole. Good luck
Recently, when mast was down, I also added rubber bushing at the bottom of the shroud just above the lower spreader. It helps prevent your lifting sling from being pinched. As you'll see on some of the pictures, we have a crane at my club, which makes it a whole lot easier and safer than a gin-pole. Good luck
Old saying
Pulling rigs requires somebody in charge to have lots of experience.
The risk of personal injury isn't worth saving a few bucks.
Penny wise and pound foolish.
Pulling rigs requires somebody in charge to have lots of experience.
The risk of personal injury isn't worth saving a few bucks.
After having my wires mushed when the riggers stepped the mast, I created Claude's inspection panel at the bottom of the mast. This is a great way to get the wiring out of the way when re-stepping the mast as well as having access to the wiring without having to pull the mast. while I don't have a picture of the finished panel, I am attaching one showing when I cut it out. When stepping the mast simply pull the wiring through the panel and as the mast drops keep the taut.
Attachments
pulling my h34 mast
A local yard charges lots of $/ft to unstep & step.
Even with the clubs 35+ ft ginpole, the river currents and other boat traffic, It is going to be a job!
Thanks to all for the quick reply & PDFs to my post.
A local yard charges lots of $/ft to unstep & step.
Even with the clubs 35+ ft ginpole, the river currents and other boat traffic, It is going to be a job!
Thanks to all for the quick reply & PDFs to my post.
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