Has anyone attempted to use the mast raising system? When we attempted using ours as the manuel suggests, we found it did not work at all. I don't mind having the marina where we will keep the boat during sailing season raise the mast, but I was hoping to install a lazy jack system and it appears the mast must be up for installation of the system.
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Something's wrong
If you follow the directions in the manual you should have no problem raising the mast. I step mine frequently, alone, and have never had a problem. Perhaps you should state exactly what went wrong and I could advise how to correct the problem. As a safety note- you should have the ability to raise and lower the mast at any time,should a shroud break, or you encounter a non functioning draw bridge,or put into port in an emergency where there is no crane available...
If you follow the directions in the manual you should have no problem raising the mast. I step mine frequently, alone, and have never had a problem. Perhaps you should state exactly what went wrong and I could advise how to correct the problem. As a safety note- you should have the ability to raise and lower the mast at any time,should a shroud break, or you encounter a non functioning draw bridge,or put into port in an emergency where there is no crane available...
Thanks Mike. Here is what happened.
Mike, First let me say "thank you" for your offering to help! I'll do my best to expalin the problems we encountered. First of all, for some reason,someone "patched" over the original opening for the mast raising tube with a piece of heavy gauge sheet metal riveted to the mast. This patch had an opening that was too small for the tube until I filed it a little. When I inserted the tube and attach the jib halyard and main sheet(the mainsheet barely reached the tube) and began to pull on the mainsheet, the only result is the opening for the tube is bent as the tube is pulled down. The mast does not move. I hope this makes enough sense that you can help me out! I very much want to be able raise the mast with only my wife's assistance for all the reasons you listed.
Mike, First let me say "thank you" for your offering to help! I'll do my best to expalin the problems we encountered. First of all, for some reason,someone "patched" over the original opening for the mast raising tube with a piece of heavy gauge sheet metal riveted to the mast. This patch had an opening that was too small for the tube until I filed it a little. When I inserted the tube and attach the jib halyard and main sheet(the mainsheet barely reached the tube) and began to pull on the mainsheet, the only result is the opening for the tube is bent as the tube is pulled down. The mast does not move. I hope this makes enough sense that you can help me out! I very much want to be able raise the mast with only my wife's assistance for all the reasons you listed.
Tangles and snags
I used to have a 23.5 and now have moved up to have a H26. I used raised the mast of my 23.5 by my self all of the time. The first thing you should do is make sure nothing is restricting the mast from raising. I've run into scenarios where a halyard or stay is hung up on something. The mast should go up smoothly. The first sign of resistance you should check for tangles or snags. Good luck and enjoy.
I used to have a 23.5 and now have moved up to have a H26. I used raised the mast of my 23.5 by my self all of the time. The first thing you should do is make sure nothing is restricting the mast from raising. I've run into scenarios where a halyard or stay is hung up on something. The mast should go up smoothly. The first sign of resistance you should check for tangles or snags. Good luck and enjoy.
Sounds like
Someone hacked your raising pole mount. I have a 240 and raising the mast is a piece of cake. The mast raising tube is attatched to the mast with a bracket and pivotbolt so it will move slightly fore and aft when tension is applied to the mainsheet. If your tube actually is inserted into the mast you may have to tension the jib halyard more before you pull in the mainsheet. Mine also has a short link made out of 1/8" rigging wire that I attatch the jib halyard and mainsheet to. this link will float through the eye on the end of the pole so that the stretch of the halyard doesn't pull on the pole. I am assuming that your mast crutch at the stern of the boat is tall enough. It helps immensely to lift the mast by hand the first couple of feet as you pull on the mainsheet. I run mine back to my jib winch and use it to pull in the mainsheet as I lift the mast when I'm singlehanding raising the mast. Otherwise I have the wife or whoever raise the mast the first few feet. I have also seen someone use a crutch extension to gain the first few feet. Definately check your stay shackles as you get near the top, they like to snag and bend the shackles. Hope this helps, Ross
Someone hacked your raising pole mount. I have a 240 and raising the mast is a piece of cake. The mast raising tube is attatched to the mast with a bracket and pivotbolt so it will move slightly fore and aft when tension is applied to the mainsheet. If your tube actually is inserted into the mast you may have to tension the jib halyard more before you pull in the mainsheet. Mine also has a short link made out of 1/8" rigging wire that I attatch the jib halyard and mainsheet to. this link will float through the eye on the end of the pole so that the stretch of the halyard doesn't pull on the pole. I am assuming that your mast crutch at the stern of the boat is tall enough. It helps immensely to lift the mast by hand the first couple of feet as you pull on the mainsheet. I run mine back to my jib winch and use it to pull in the mainsheet as I lift the mast when I'm singlehanding raising the mast. Otherwise I have the wife or whoever raise the mast the first few feet. I have also seen someone use a crutch extension to gain the first few feet. Definately check your stay shackles as you get near the top, they like to snag and bend the shackles. Hope this helps, Ross
Geo
I can't think of what is wrong but if you don't figure it out by this weekend I can give you a hand.
I can't think of what is wrong but if you don't figure it out by this weekend I can give you a hand.
Stern mast crutch?
Geo, The stern mast crutch should put the mast at the angle necessary for the gin pole and mainsheet to overcome gravity. When you insert the mast base into the mast plate does it drop in freely? Is your gin pole the original pole (heavy gague stainless) does it have a notch in the end that is inserted into the mast base? It sounds like the mast base/mast raising system has been modified if you had to file out the hole to get the gin pole to fit. If your pole has been modified and is too short then this could also cause you problems becasue you won't get the leverage you need. I will measure my gin pole tonight and also measure the height of my mast crutch. It should be as easy as can be. I just dropped my mast Saturday and it went off without a hitch. I'll get back with you tomorrow. Jonathan s/v Heeling Powers
Geo, The stern mast crutch should put the mast at the angle necessary for the gin pole and mainsheet to overcome gravity. When you insert the mast base into the mast plate does it drop in freely? Is your gin pole the original pole (heavy gague stainless) does it have a notch in the end that is inserted into the mast base? It sounds like the mast base/mast raising system has been modified if you had to file out the hole to get the gin pole to fit. If your pole has been modified and is too short then this could also cause you problems becasue you won't get the leverage you need. I will measure my gin pole tonight and also measure the height of my mast crutch. It should be as easy as can be. I just dropped my mast Saturday and it went off without a hitch. I'll get back with you tomorrow. Jonathan s/v Heeling Powers
The system I use
This is a system that I found at this site. The A frame is made from cyclone fence top rail. See the attached drawing for more details. The process is: Before attempting to step the mast CHECK THE AREA FOR OVERHEAD POWER LINES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1. Attach the A frame to the stanchion 2. Attach the cunningham and the jib halyard to the A frame 3. Attach the main halyard to the backstay chain plate. 4. Insure that ALL standing rigging is free and clear of obstacles and that the topping lift is attached to the mast. 5. Lift the mast as far up as you can comfortably reach with the end of the cunningham in your hand. 6. Haul in on the cunningham while steadying the mast to keep it centered while easing the main halyard. 7. When the cunningham reaches the end, finish raising the mast with the jib halyard. 8. Attach the back stay(s). 9. Attach the front stay and check the tension of all of the standing rigging. 10. Attach the boom, Main sail, remove the A frame. Enjoy a small libation. I have used this system several times and mostly alone without a hitch. I’ve stepped the mast both on the trailer and in the slip. On the trailer is slightly more advantageous as it’s easier to recover dropped parts and pins. I hope that this helps you. Bob Noble S/V Miss Lisa
This is a system that I found at this site. The A frame is made from cyclone fence top rail. See the attached drawing for more details. The process is: Before attempting to step the mast CHECK THE AREA FOR OVERHEAD POWER LINES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1. Attach the A frame to the stanchion 2. Attach the cunningham and the jib halyard to the A frame 3. Attach the main halyard to the backstay chain plate. 4. Insure that ALL standing rigging is free and clear of obstacles and that the topping lift is attached to the mast. 5. Lift the mast as far up as you can comfortably reach with the end of the cunningham in your hand. 6. Haul in on the cunningham while steadying the mast to keep it centered while easing the main halyard. 7. When the cunningham reaches the end, finish raising the mast with the jib halyard. 8. Attach the back stay(s). 9. Attach the front stay and check the tension of all of the standing rigging. 10. Attach the boom, Main sail, remove the A frame. Enjoy a small libation. I have used this system several times and mostly alone without a hitch. I’ve stepped the mast both on the trailer and in the slip. On the trailer is slightly more advantageous as it’s easier to recover dropped parts and pins. I hope that this helps you. Bob Noble S/V Miss Lisa
Attachments
Could it be?
It sounds strange when you say that the mainsheet barely reached the tube. The tube is to be set about 90 degrees to the mast, but suggested to be a bit more such that it's angled away from the mast base towards the mast head a few degrees. Otherwise, in my case, the mainsheet blocks will actually touch before the there is enough forward pull for the mast to be up all the way and attach the forestay. (A bit of an exaggeration but you get the idea). Anyway, if your pulling on the mainsheet tilts the tube forward and down towards the anchor well, the jib halyard is either slipping or not tied off at all. It should be attached to the cleat on the side of the mast so it doesn't move at all (other than a bit of stretch). As others have said, I can raise and lower the mast with one hand (but use two for the first couple of feet off the crutch if there's nobody around to impress ;-). We can't over-emphasize what others have mentioned that as the mast goes up you must make sure that the turnbuckles and toggles that attach to the chainplates are standing vertical above the chainplate U-bolts. Otherwise they bend, become unsafe, and you'll need new ones. Mine were all bent when I bought the boat used. I mentioned them but the dealer sluffed it off. That salesman no longer works for the dealer, I might add. I probably bent them even more my first season. Now I know better. There is a picture on this forum somewhere that shows a platic cable tie treaded through the fore and aft toggles of the upper and lower shrouds so that they stay more vertical and don't flop over. If you can picture it, when the turnbuckles are vertical these wire ties make an oval loop of few inches to bind them together. If you can't picture it, try the photo forum or seach the archives. I have some ties in my bag and will give the idea when I raise the mast next time. I took it down to replace some lightbulbs, straighten the windex, etc.
It sounds strange when you say that the mainsheet barely reached the tube. The tube is to be set about 90 degrees to the mast, but suggested to be a bit more such that it's angled away from the mast base towards the mast head a few degrees. Otherwise, in my case, the mainsheet blocks will actually touch before the there is enough forward pull for the mast to be up all the way and attach the forestay. (A bit of an exaggeration but you get the idea). Anyway, if your pulling on the mainsheet tilts the tube forward and down towards the anchor well, the jib halyard is either slipping or not tied off at all. It should be attached to the cleat on the side of the mast so it doesn't move at all (other than a bit of stretch). As others have said, I can raise and lower the mast with one hand (but use two for the first couple of feet off the crutch if there's nobody around to impress ;-). We can't over-emphasize what others have mentioned that as the mast goes up you must make sure that the turnbuckles and toggles that attach to the chainplates are standing vertical above the chainplate U-bolts. Otherwise they bend, become unsafe, and you'll need new ones. Mine were all bent when I bought the boat used. I mentioned them but the dealer sluffed it off. That salesman no longer works for the dealer, I might add. I probably bent them even more my first season. Now I know better. There is a picture on this forum somewhere that shows a platic cable tie treaded through the fore and aft toggles of the upper and lower shrouds so that they stay more vertical and don't flop over. If you can picture it, when the turnbuckles are vertical these wire ties make an oval loop of few inches to bind them together. If you can't picture it, try the photo forum or seach the archives. I have some ties in my bag and will give the idea when I raise the mast next time. I took it down to replace some lightbulbs, straighten the windex, etc.
turnbuckles
I just replaced all 4 of my turnbuckles due to the previously mentioned snags and tangles. $20.48 a piece at West Marine.....It's a lot cheaper to keep an eye on them!
I just replaced all 4 of my turnbuckles due to the previously mentioned snags and tangles. $20.48 a piece at West Marine.....It's a lot cheaper to keep an eye on them!
Ken
I bought some T bolts and toggles (PN 166654)from West Marine last year to replace the bent ones on my 23.5. Did you repleace the turnbuckle as well? The $20 seems a bit high.
I bought some T bolts and toggles (PN 166654)from West Marine last year to replace the bent ones on my 23.5. Did you repleace the turnbuckle as well? The $20 seems a bit high.
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