A question re: mast destepping on water

[Bill Welsch]

Read with interest the various posts regarding destepping mast while on the water. Was wondering if anyone who does that has a roller furler foresail? I assume you would have to remove the sail before taking the mast down.We need to replace our windex and are considering doing it on the water. Appreciate the input.Bill Welschs/v Renewal

 

[Wanderer138]

If you can go up the mast, do it

IMHO, it will be much faster, easier and cheaper than unstepping the mast on the water. If you are light enough, all you will need is a bosun's chair and someone you trust to crank the winch. I just unsteppped and restepped my mast on the water on Friday (see earlier post) and it was no walk in the park.PeterS/V Raven

 

[Sean Coerse]

Unstep on water

I have unstepped my mast several times while the boat was in the water. No different than doing it on land. I also had to replace my windex. took 30 minutes max. Drop mast, leave gin pole ect connected raise mast when done. No big deal. If your boat is on a floating dock might need step ladder to reach windex. If your boat is at a fixed dock, do it at low tide with the boat backed into the slip, and its all right at your finger tips. I have a CDI furler. This does not interfere. the steps are the same. Leave the sail on and furled.

 

[Joe]

Mast Stepping on the water

I have a 94 23.5 and have unstepped and then stepped the mast in the water on more than one occasion. There was no problem with this, just be careful of dropping anything overboard. Last year I had to tighten my Windex and I lowered and raised the mast alone. I have a CDI furler and it was no more trouble than lowering the mast for trailering. Good luck and good sailing.

 

[Jeff]

Take your Time

I have taken my mast down with a CDI furler in our slip a few times. Not to big a deal with a mast raising system. Back the boat in the slip, and leave it as far forward as possible to allow room to lower the masthead to the dock. Just be certain on the way back up all hardware is in the right place and nothing is binding. Bill I think you're just up the dock from us at West Access. Let me know if you need a hand. "Festivity" H26 1996 Dock D Slip 36