I just bought my first Mac 26X. It is a '97 model and has the older style mast raising system with a rope winch on it. I would like to convert it to a crank style. Has anyone out there done this and if so, how did you mount the crank style winch.
Mast raising system on 26x
- Thread starter Jensville
- Start date
Use a gin pole that mounts on the forward holes on the mast base. A 5ft. aluminum 2 in diameter pipe with a two way trailer winch at about 4ft.6in high on the mast side of the gin pole will complete the gin pole.
Tie the winch at about 15 degrees off the mast with the winch on the mast side of the gin pole. Tie a line at the top of the gin pole and run it to the most forward cleat at the bow. Be sure there is sufficient slack in the back stay as the mast nears vertical. Fasten the fore stay and slowly back off the winch. A young strong guy won't need the pole but I am 75 and do use it every time.
Tie the winch at about 15 degrees off the mast with the winch on the mast side of the gin pole. Tie a line at the top of the gin pole and run it to the most forward cleat at the bow. Be sure there is sufficient slack in the back stay as the mast nears vertical. Fasten the fore stay and slowly back off the winch. A young strong guy won't need the pole but I am 75 and do use it every time.
There are holes on the winch base that'll line up with some U bolts, hopefully the correct sized U bolts to fit around your gin pole. One could be a through-bolt, but I didn't want to put too many holes in my gin pole.
https://tomeshew.wordpress.com/2014/07/09/stepping-the-mast-with-a-gin-pole/
"The crocheting you see" is only there to show off your prowess at the finer art of marina "neighbour annoyance".
I used stainless sheet metal thru the winch into the gin pole and backed them up with muffler clamps.