Hi everybody, We have a 1986 h23 and we recently had to raise the mast with the boat sitting on the water in Anacortes WA instead of the trailer like we usually do and each time the boat rocked the mast wanted to go sideways, usually my wife and I don't have any problems. I spent about 2 hours looking in the archives and did not see anything about keeping the mast going side to side unless I missed it. I saw the tripod arangement which looked good. Any suggestions would be apreciated. If I did miss something in the archives please let me know as well. Fair winds Rob Morton S/V Euphoria
Another h23 mast raising question!
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Single handed system in archive
The single handed mast raising system will do the trick for you. I have used it to get the mast up in the water or on the trailer. Works great.
The single handed mast raising system will do the trick for you. I have used it to get the mast up in the water or on the trailer. Works great.
Mast raising (stepping)
Here's the link to my solution. I've only made one modification, changing the lifting poles from 3/4" EMT conduit to 3/4" rigid for more extreme conditions. I also secure the base of stabilizing poles to the stanchion with a line, or more recently a small section of chain and quick link. I do this single handed. Email me at memajor@cfl.rr.com if you have questions. Mark Major s/v Lesismor
Here's the link to my solution. I've only made one modification, changing the lifting poles from 3/4" EMT conduit to 3/4" rigid for more extreme conditions. I also secure the base of stabilizing poles to the stanchion with a line, or more recently a small section of chain and quick link. I do this single handed. Email me at memajor@cfl.rr.com if you have questions. Mark Major s/v Lesismor
mast raising
On two occasions I have had to lower and then raise our mast at our dock , I backed the boat in and then stabilized the boat as much as possible to minimize rocking and things went pretty smooth , I think with whatever method you use to stabilize the mast if the boat itself is not relatively stable you are in for fun hope /this does not sound like I am being a wisegguy/ many years ago when we first got the boat we were raising the boat on the trailer the mast went sideways broke the mast step and cracked my wife really good on the ribs, you do need to keep these things centered and try to go up in one fluid motion if possible, hope this helps , good luck Mike
On two occasions I have had to lower and then raise our mast at our dock , I backed the boat in and then stabilized the boat as much as possible to minimize rocking and things went pretty smooth , I think with whatever method you use to stabilize the mast if the boat itself is not relatively stable you are in for fun hope /this does not sound like I am being a wisegguy/ many years ago when we first got the boat we were raising the boat on the trailer the mast went sideways broke the mast step and cracked my wife really good on the ribs, you do need to keep these things centered and try to go up in one fluid motion if possible, hope this helps , good luck Mike
A critique
The systems shown by Mark and Frank have appeared prior postings, and are intended to increase the angle you are pulling the forestay or jib-halyard, especially during the initial part of raising the mast. Mark's approach would appear to provide the lateral stability you are looking for if you kept the "lifting poles" snugged in next to the mast. However, as shown, I doubt it will provide the stabilty you want until you get above about 60 degrees from horizontal. What I noted in both photo series was that they were able to stand on top of the cabin with at least a chance to push or pull the mast as needed. I will admit that I have not tried either of the two designs shown. My wife and I have used the method shown in the owner's manual, relying on team work and the fact that I am tall enough to step from seat to cabin top while liftng and controlling the mast. Our experience is that I have to brace it against lateral movement until it is more than sixty degrees above horizontal, but then the sidestays limit lateral movement sufficiently to prevent damage. Believe it or not, we have done this while afloat. I make sure the mast crutch is extened as high as possible before beginning to raise the mast. My original crutch was a pair of square tubes, one inside the other. The low setting held the mast so the spreaders were seveal inches above the cabin. The highest setting was about 4' or 5' higher. By using a tall crutch, you minimize the distance you have to raise the mast, and the distance it is vulnerable to leaning sideways. As a note, once I'm standing on the cabin with the mast on my shoulder, I can get it to a near vertical position in a few steps and seconds. Once it's near vertical, the side stays keep it from falling sideways, and all I have to do is keep it standing up so my wife can pin the forestay in. Is this the best way to raise a mast? I doubt it, but I think this does go to your question about keeping the mast from going sideways. Good luck. Give me a call if you're in Eugene. Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo
The systems shown by Mark and Frank have appeared prior postings, and are intended to increase the angle you are pulling the forestay or jib-halyard, especially during the initial part of raising the mast. Mark's approach would appear to provide the lateral stability you are looking for if you kept the "lifting poles" snugged in next to the mast. However, as shown, I doubt it will provide the stabilty you want until you get above about 60 degrees from horizontal. What I noted in both photo series was that they were able to stand on top of the cabin with at least a chance to push or pull the mast as needed. I will admit that I have not tried either of the two designs shown. My wife and I have used the method shown in the owner's manual, relying on team work and the fact that I am tall enough to step from seat to cabin top while liftng and controlling the mast. Our experience is that I have to brace it against lateral movement until it is more than sixty degrees above horizontal, but then the sidestays limit lateral movement sufficiently to prevent damage. Believe it or not, we have done this while afloat. I make sure the mast crutch is extened as high as possible before beginning to raise the mast. My original crutch was a pair of square tubes, one inside the other. The low setting held the mast so the spreaders were seveal inches above the cabin. The highest setting was about 4' or 5' higher. By using a tall crutch, you minimize the distance you have to raise the mast, and the distance it is vulnerable to leaning sideways. As a note, once I'm standing on the cabin with the mast on my shoulder, I can get it to a near vertical position in a few steps and seconds. Once it's near vertical, the side stays keep it from falling sideways, and all I have to do is keep it standing up so my wife can pin the forestay in. Is this the best way to raise a mast? I doubt it, but I think this does go to your question about keeping the mast from going sideways. Good luck. Give me a call if you're in Eugene. Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo
Very good observations
What I offer in explanation with the photographs and captions illustrate the flaws of my method, so I hope it stands as an effective description of how I have managed over the past five years. I'm not selling this to anyone, just offering one configuration to consider when designing what works for you. You missed the point of both systems; these are single handed methods. My wife refuses to get on deck after we dropped the mast on our first attempt at following the manufacturers directions. I have stepped the mast following the same directions with a helping hand numerous times, on and off the water. I have applied my method on the water, carrying the cumbersome poles hundreds of miles in my dink. Every time I step or unstep my mast I vow to take the time and effort to improve the system, but it's cheap, reliable enough, and there are so many other systems on a boat more critical that I afford attention. A side note: Hunter constructed these boats with two different masts that I know of. One is a straight extrusion, the other tapered, the latter being a bit more manageable. Good luck with whatever works for you. Others have shared their variations through email. It amazes me what modifications folks have made with this craft, and it's always fun to share ideas. This is a great site to learn from. Every sailor I've met knows more than me, for I've learned from every one I've encountered. Fair winds, Mark Major, s/v Lesismor (86H23)
What I offer in explanation with the photographs and captions illustrate the flaws of my method, so I hope it stands as an effective description of how I have managed over the past five years. I'm not selling this to anyone, just offering one configuration to consider when designing what works for you. You missed the point of both systems; these are single handed methods. My wife refuses to get on deck after we dropped the mast on our first attempt at following the manufacturers directions. I have stepped the mast following the same directions with a helping hand numerous times, on and off the water. I have applied my method on the water, carrying the cumbersome poles hundreds of miles in my dink. Every time I step or unstep my mast I vow to take the time and effort to improve the system, but it's cheap, reliable enough, and there are so many other systems on a boat more critical that I afford attention. A side note: Hunter constructed these boats with two different masts that I know of. One is a straight extrusion, the other tapered, the latter being a bit more manageable. Good luck with whatever works for you. Others have shared their variations through email. It amazes me what modifications folks have made with this craft, and it's always fun to share ideas. This is a great site to learn from. Every sailor I've met knows more than me, for I've learned from every one I've encountered. Fair winds, Mark Major, s/v Lesismor (86H23)
stepping plank
Once again I'll mention the stepping plank which hasn't been mentioned in this thread. It's a walking plank constructed of 2x6's that fits snuggly on the transome to the cabin top. It won't slide sideways or fore and aft due to wood blocks strategically placed. It allows you to walk quickly and directly from the transom to the mast or vise versa with the mast on your shoulder and no jumping up and down or side to side. Aside from crabbing poles and jin pole, the plank is probably my most essential mast stepping tool. I'm pullin the boat tomorrow and will get some pictures.
Once again I'll mention the stepping plank which hasn't been mentioned in this thread. It's a walking plank constructed of 2x6's that fits snuggly on the transome to the cabin top. It won't slide sideways or fore and aft due to wood blocks strategically placed. It allows you to walk quickly and directly from the transom to the mast or vise versa with the mast on your shoulder and no jumping up and down or side to side. Aside from crabbing poles and jin pole, the plank is probably my most essential mast stepping tool. I'm pullin the boat tomorrow and will get some pictures.
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