222 Mast Raising

[Peter Bowers]

I'm about to purchase an "86" 222. The owner has never stepped the mast. How difficult is this? Any tricks? Is it covered in the manual?

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

222

Peter - I haven't stepped the mast on a 222, but I have done similar boats. Its not hard. I would place the mast horizontally so that its lying on the pulpit and pinned to its step. Then attach the topping lift between the mast top and boom. Rig the mainsheet. Attach the headstay and shrouds, with turnbuckles extendedPull the mainsheet and mast goes up. On bigger boats you want lines from the boom to the chainplates to keep things in line. You might want to consider doing that, though your mast may be light enough to control by hand (a second person's hands).Haven't seen the manual, so I don't know what it says.Justin - O'day Owners' Web

 

[bob]

I have an 84 222. Stepping the mast is a pleasure compaired to other trailer sailers I've owned. Slide the mast back (supporting it horizontally on the cabintop or alternatively) and insert the rear pin in the tabernacle. Using the jib halyard to assist, lift the mast to verticle. The outters will limit the mast beyond verticle so the backstay isn't needed yet. Initial lift is less than 100 lbs, but help would be nice the first time. The only problem is usually catching the shrouds on something on the way up.