Look up the newer Catalina Sport 22 or new Catalina 22 which offered a mast raise system similar to the Hunter system. If any difficulty, send me a private message. Retired Catalina and Hunter dealer.
Mast Raising
- Thread starter mark rocco
- Start date
I've never understood the term you folks use, Baby Stay. Why not get in the correct plane (athwart ship) and call it a baby shroud. 
I'm not sure about the OPs opposition to a gin pole, but it and some baby detachable shrouds allow you to stop the progress and clear that shroud or stay that gets hung up. Another idea to keep the shrouds/stays from hanging up is masking taping them to the lifelines.
I'm not sure about the OPs opposition to a gin pole, but it and some baby detachable shrouds allow you to stop the progress and clear that shroud or stay that gets hung up. Another idea to keep the shrouds/stays from hanging up is masking taping them to the lifelines.
@LeeandRick, you are absolutely correct. We should be calling them baby shrouds as they are NOT fore/aft. I stand corrected. It's a fairly widespread misuse of the term.
Agree with you. I relocated my detachable baby shroud connections to get them along the step hinge axis. Then, I set the lengths so they are snug throughout the raise/drop. My gin pole has a brake winch that I can let go of at any point and do whatever untangling is necessary without the mast moving. For further safety, I installed shrouds on my gin pole. If I lose my balance and grab the gin pole, the shrouds keep me from tearing the gin pole up. I can safely raise or lower the rig single-handed with little effort. The worst part of the process is moving the mast from it's trailering position to the raising position (or vice versa). Haven't figured a way to make that easier or safer yet.
Agree with you. I relocated my detachable baby shroud connections to get them along the step hinge axis. Then, I set the lengths so they are snug throughout the raise/drop. My gin pole has a brake winch that I can let go of at any point and do whatever untangling is necessary without the mast moving. For further safety, I installed shrouds on my gin pole. If I lose my balance and grab the gin pole, the shrouds keep me from tearing the gin pole up. I can safely raise or lower the rig single-handed with little effort. The worst part of the process is moving the mast from it's trailering position to the raising position (or vice versa). Haven't figured a way to make that easier or safer yet.
Where my rudder mounts, I have a piece of 3 inch PVC pipe that is notched to sit over the mount. A couple of straps go to the top to hold it down and in place. At the top of the pipe, I put a V-roller. This is the same as for transport, so all I need to do when I arrive is unstrap the mast. Grab the base of the mast and roll it back on the V-roller. Make sure to get as deep of a V as you can find, otherwise the mast wants to roll off one side or the other.@LeeandRick The worst part of the process is moving the mast from it's trailering position to the raising position (or vice versa). Haven't figured a way to make that easier or safer yet.
Yep, I have a mast support with roller. Between trying not to fall off the deck, step through my plexi windows, or tangle my rigging, carrying half the mast back to the step is still less than comfortable. Guess I just need to "man-up".
Have you considered adding some other temporary roller device(s) on the foredeck or cabin roof? Just roll the entire mast to the location. I’m not as “nimble - cat like” these days either
If you don’t want to muscle the mast up this is solution that I have adopted. Once I have the mast step pinned I stand in the cockpit with one hand on the winch controller and the other to steady the mast. Easy Peasy
Note this only works if boat is on trailer!
Hunter 216 Owner Modifications and Upgrades
Hunter 216 Owner Modifications and Upgrades
hunter.sailboatowners.com
Last edited:
No kidding. Otherwise I can promise that you will drop a pin or a clip in the water never to be seen again. Its bad enough to try and find them in a gravel parking lot.Note this only works if boat is on trailer!
Hunter 216 Owner Modifications and Upgrades
Hunter 216 Owner Modifications and Upgrades
Well more of a need for a substantial anchor point for the winch. However I get your point about dropping stuff. I did a lot of work with my Dad and as he aged he would tend to drop stuff, he would cuss a little and then say “well it is the first day with my new hands and I’m not used to them yet”
Last edited:
That's a nice rig you have! I thought my gin pole and brake winch was easy, and you have to show me a push-button... Love it!Have you considered adding some other temporary roller device(s) on the foredeck or cabin roof? Just roll the entire mast to the location. I’m not as “nimble - cat like” these days either
If you don’t want to muscle the mast up this is solution that I have adopted. Once I have the mast step pinned I stand in the cockpit with one hand on the winch controller and the other to steady the mast. Easy Peasy
Note this only works if boat is on trailer!
Hunter 216 Owner Modifications and Upgrades
Hunter 216 Owner Modifications and Upgrades
I didn’t go with the trailer hitch wiring from the original design. I just used a lawn tractor battery for power source. With one hand on the mast I can feel if it starts to lean one way or another and compensate. The downside is I can’t easily sense if one of the shrouds get hung up on something.
I do get a lot of gawkers though so instead of just one buddy to help me out I need 10 for crowd control