Unstepping mast on C27 and hauling it out

[RDett42]

Hi, I’m new to this site and am also a new Catalina 27 owner. I have a couple questions maybe someone could answer for me.

When un-stepping the mast, does it lay down towards the stern or towards the bow? The tabernacle on my new-to-me boat appears to have a hinge on the front, towards the bow. I’ve sailed a Catalina 22 for years and we always lay the mast down towards the stern. This apparent hinge on the leading edge has me a little confused!

Speaking of stepping the mast, where can I find the instructions for building the “A” frame for un-stepping and stepping the mast?

Can a Catalina 25 or Hunter 255 trailer be configured to properly support a Catalina 27 long term, like when giving the boat a new bottom? I bought my boat on the lake I sail on and it didn’t come with a trailer. I only need a trailer to haul the boat out so I can check the bottom and if necessary, leave it on the trailer while I give it a new bottom. A possible issue is that my boat weighs in at 6800 lbs, about a ton heavier than a C-25.

Thanks for any information you can give me.

Ron
Fine Line

 

[Joetech]

Every 27 I know of uses a cradle or jackstands. How far do you need to hail the boat? My 27 has a cradle and our travelift moves it only a few hundred feet in the fall and spring. I paint and work on everything not hidden by the pads on the cradle. When we launch the travelift picks up the boat with straps and exposes the pad areas. I can then paint those areas. Bottom paint dries very quickly some there isn't much of a delay. A trailer would would work the same but would have more than just 4 pads and the bottom of the keel to take care of. Didn't the previous owner have a cradle or jackstands?
As for stepping the mast, looks like forward is all you can do. This is not the standard tabernacle. You will have to pivot it down to the bow and then pull the pin. I don't know your exact marina situation but you will need many friends to help you do this.

 

[Joe]

The forward acting tabernacle allows you to use the boom as a gin pole. The C27 has forward and aft lower shrouds... you would need to disconnect the aft shrouds and backstay for lowering. I have seen sailboats rigged like this so they can clear low bridges while underway.

The wooden, fixed base A frame system was intended for a non tabernacle (hinged) step... it lifts the mast up enough to clear the step flange... then swing the mast horizontal before lowering to the deck.

With the hinged tabernacle you don't need to lift the mast.... so the A frame could be much smaller and hinged at the base to be used as a stabilizer ....

Try googling "A frame mast raising systems"

 

[Meriachee]

A trailer for a 22 will not be anywhere near sufficient, even to move the boat around the yard. It's simply too light.

 

[RDett42]

Our club is on the "rustic" side and the boat would have to be moved from the lake, up a ramp, and about 150 yds down a gravel road to the boatyard so a trailer is probably the only way to go. I plan to do the bottom job on the trailer and use jackstands to get to the areas under the pads.

I may have to see if the tabernacle pin can be pulled so the mast could be lifted up with an "A" frame rather than lay it forward.

Thanks for the input!

RDett42

 

[RDett42]

Joe, thanks for your input.

Can't get my head around lowering the mast forward yet. Will have to think about that. But ultimately do need to lower it to check shrouds, sheaves, etc. Our club is a "do it yourself" type club so I'm sure I can get a lot of input about how to do it and many hands to help. Thanks again!

RDett42

 

[RDett42]

Meriachee,
Thanks for your input. I know a C22 trailer is too small and lightly built. (I have a C22 in addition to the C27.) But I was wondering if a trailer for a C25 is robust enough. Or if the spacing of the pads is correct. I don't want to have my boat sitting on a trailer for weeks (probably months!) not being supported in the correct areas of the boat. I have access to both C25 and Hunter 25 trailers at the club so I wouldn't have to buy a new trailer just to do a bottom job.

 

[Meriachee]

A 25 is a different shape. If, and that's probably a big if, the pads could be moved enough, then maybe. I'd sure not be very enthusiastic about floating on in a case like that. At all, actually.

 

[caguy]

Joe, thanks for your input.

Can't get my head around lowering the mast forward yet. Will have to think about that. But ultimately do need to lower it to check shrouds, sheaves, etc. Our club is a "do it yourself" type club so I'm sure I can get a lot of input about how to do it and many hands to help. Thanks again!

RDett42

Unfortunately its is the only way to lower it. You can use the boom as a gin pole. I attach lines to the end of the boom and run them through the fairleads. I slide the fairleads as far forward as possible and then wrap them around the winches an secure them with cleats. This keeps the boom from being pulled over. They have to be adjusted as you raise or lower the mast. To keep the mast from going sideways I use the back lower side stays clamped onto a bridles that are attached to two stanchions on each side. I use the mainsheet to raise and lower the mast in line with the boom vang. The mainsheet though long is not long enough. I use a telescoping ladder lashed to the bed of my truck to act as a mast crutch. It is all very solid and secure.

 

[philwsailz]

All of my research if I recall correctly, (its been a while) says that a cradle for a C25 works with a C27 and vice-versa...

 

[philwsailz]

Here is an A-Frame tutorial for stepping the mast with a traditional mast base.

 

[Echo Gulf]

We trailered our C27 for over 10 years before moving up to a larger boat. One of the first things that we learned was that the C27 mast is heavy, long, and awkward to handle. All it takes is a moments inattention on the part of a helper, a failed screw/bolt, a poorly tied line, or a small puff of wind, to cause major damage or serious injury when using a home made or jury rigged mast hoist. I strongly advise searching out a local picker truck or similar vehicle, it's a lot safer and more acceptable to the insurance company.

To use a picker truck, fasten the choker just below the spreaders, have a control line on both ends of the mast, once the crane takes up the tension unfasten the base of the mast and then the stays and shrouds while someone steady's the base of the mast. With the crane holding the weight of the mast, use the control lines to turn it to a horizontal position and then lower it. Easy, cheap, and safe.

Echo Gulf.