When stepping the mast on my Hunter 170 with a roller Jib, I have had difficulty getting enough tension to line up and attach the forestay to the bow. I have tried using the winch, but that has yielded minimal improvement. It takes both my wife and I about 15 minutes to attach with much straining and tugging. Any ideas would be appreciated.
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Try the mainsail halyard
On trailerable boats with a conventional hank-on jib, the standard approach is to attach the jib halyard to a sturdy point on the foredeck (the jib tack attachment point is good) and crank on the winch to pull the mast forward until the forestay can be fastened easily. Since you have a roller-furling headsail, use the mainsail halyard instead. As the mast comes upright, the shrouds should be under tension so it shouldn't twist on you. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
On trailerable boats with a conventional hank-on jib, the standard approach is to attach the jib halyard to a sturdy point on the foredeck (the jib tack attachment point is good) and crank on the winch to pull the mast forward until the forestay can be fastened easily. Since you have a roller-furling headsail, use the mainsail halyard instead. As the mast comes upright, the shrouds should be under tension so it shouldn't twist on you. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
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Nathan Schaan
Use the drum
We had the same problem on our 212. What we did was instead of taking the pin out of the top of the drum we took off the whole drum. Then we attached the furled jib to the drum and used the drum for more leverage. Hope this helps. NS
We had the same problem on our 212. What we did was instead of taking the pin out of the top of the drum we took off the whole drum. Then we attached the furled jib to the drum and used the drum for more leverage. Hope this helps. NS
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Tom Boles
Johnson makes a nifty piece of hardware...
that I used on my Laguna 18. I don't know what your foresaty is like, but if you can do without the turnbuckle (maybe), you could use it. This is a "Hyfield" over-center adjustment/quick release lever. It made setting up my forestay very simple when rigging the boat. I used #14-206, but it depends on your rigging size, Etc. Good Luck!
that I used on my Laguna 18. I don't know what your foresaty is like, but if you can do without the turnbuckle (maybe), you could use it. This is a "Hyfield" over-center adjustment/quick release lever. It made setting up my forestay very simple when rigging the boat. I used #14-206, but it depends on your rigging size, Etc. Good Luck!
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Edward L Smith
I USE THE TOPPING LIFT
to hold the forestay where I need it. I lost the mast pole and was looking for a way to handle things. I just grabbed the topping lift, since it isn't in use at this time during rigging, and tied off on the mast holder at front of the trailer. I put a bowline in the topping lift at a point where I can set my right foot in it while standing on the ground at the bow and then my weight halds the mast with tension off the forestay and I slip the pin in and bingo. The main sail halyard will also work but I found the topping lift to be simpler. Fair Winds and Following Seas.
to hold the forestay where I need it. I lost the mast pole and was looking for a way to handle things. I just grabbed the topping lift, since it isn't in use at this time during rigging, and tied off on the mast holder at front of the trailer. I put a bowline in the topping lift at a point where I can set my right foot in it while standing on the ground at the bow and then my weight halds the mast with tension off the forestay and I slip the pin in and bingo. The main sail halyard will also work but I found the topping lift to be simpler. Fair Winds and Following Seas.
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Michael Stuart
No tricks needed
It is so easy to attach the forestay, you'll kick youself. I have had the 170 for 4 years. I used to strain, use the dumb pole, and curse. Now it takes 20 seconds. Really. Because of where the boat ramp is (under trees), I cannot raise my mast while it is on the trailer, so cannot use thr trailer wince and I launch the boat, mast down, drag it to the beach, drag it up and do everything from there. After making sure all of your mast lines are attached to where they should be and properly positioned, cleat one end of the mainsail halyard to one of the two mast cleats. Tie the other end of the main halyard (after it has passed through the blocks at the top of the mast) to another line, about 20 to 30 feet long. Give the end of that line to your helper and tell him/her to walk as far as he/she can straight away from the bow. Place the foot of the mast in its proper place on the deck, and step the mast so that it is standing vertically. Tell your helper to tighten the line as you step the mast and to really tighten the line after the mast is stepped to hold the mast up in its vertical position. Hop out of the boat, go to the bow. Get the pin out of the forstay and place the forestay near where it's going to be pinned in. Tell your helper to lean back. His/her weight is sufficient to tighten the sidestays and bend the mast to place the end of your forestay in the proper position to pin. Pin it. Done. Tell your helper to loosen the line, give her a beer.
It is so easy to attach the forestay, you'll kick youself. I have had the 170 for 4 years. I used to strain, use the dumb pole, and curse. Now it takes 20 seconds. Really. Because of where the boat ramp is (under trees), I cannot raise my mast while it is on the trailer, so cannot use thr trailer wince and I launch the boat, mast down, drag it to the beach, drag it up and do everything from there. After making sure all of your mast lines are attached to where they should be and properly positioned, cleat one end of the mainsail halyard to one of the two mast cleats. Tie the other end of the main halyard (after it has passed through the blocks at the top of the mast) to another line, about 20 to 30 feet long. Give the end of that line to your helper and tell him/her to walk as far as he/she can straight away from the bow. Place the foot of the mast in its proper place on the deck, and step the mast so that it is standing vertically. Tell your helper to tighten the line as you step the mast and to really tighten the line after the mast is stepped to hold the mast up in its vertical position. Hop out of the boat, go to the bow. Get the pin out of the forstay and place the forestay near where it's going to be pinned in. Tell your helper to lean back. His/her weight is sufficient to tighten the sidestays and bend the mast to place the end of your forestay in the proper position to pin. Pin it. Done. Tell your helper to loosen the line, give her a beer.
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steven schneir
i use the topping lift also
i tie the topping lift to the bow cleat from inside the boat, then walk around, make it very tight, and attach the pin on the top of the roller furler. Be sure the line for the roller furler is not too tight, to get that extra 1/2 inch closer to the loop on the bottom of the forestay.
i tie the topping lift to the bow cleat from inside the boat, then walk around, make it very tight, and attach the pin on the top of the roller furler. Be sure the line for the roller furler is not too tight, to get that extra 1/2 inch closer to the loop on the bottom of the forestay.
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Jeff Wingo
Halyard to Trailer Winch
I raise the mast by myself: Once you have the Base Pin in the Step, tie off the shackle end of the Main Halyard and put a bowline in the other end. Undo your trailer winch from the bow and let some slack loose (3 or 4 feet) and lock it. Step the mast. Watch the rigging as you go, of course. Now you are standing there with the mast. Reach and put the loop on the halyard on the winch line and uncleat and tighten the other end of the halyard as tight as you can. The mast should be stable enough for you to let go and get out of the boat and go to the bow. (Ooops...Did you remember to attach the head of the jib to the mast?) Winch down on the trailer winch until the tack can be attached using those blasted Clevis Pins (keep an extra in your pocket so you can wait and dig through the sand for the one you drop later.) Release the winch and re-attach to the bow.
I raise the mast by myself: Once you have the Base Pin in the Step, tie off the shackle end of the Main Halyard and put a bowline in the other end. Undo your trailer winch from the bow and let some slack loose (3 or 4 feet) and lock it. Step the mast. Watch the rigging as you go, of course. Now you are standing there with the mast. Reach and put the loop on the halyard on the winch line and uncleat and tighten the other end of the halyard as tight as you can. The mast should be stable enough for you to let go and get out of the boat and go to the bow. (Ooops...Did you remember to attach the head of the jib to the mast?) Winch down on the trailer winch until the tack can be attached using those blasted Clevis Pins (keep an extra in your pocket so you can wait and dig through the sand for the one you drop later.) Release the winch and re-attach to the bow.
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Jeff Wingo
But this is what I want to do...
I want to devise a way of doing this without having to release the boat off the winch. It may require a second small winch attached to the mast holder on the trailer or else through the use of a trailer strap around the mast holder and the mast itself or just some well placed and sized lines. The goal would be to single handedly step the mast and attach to something quickly and easily.
I want to devise a way of doing this without having to release the boat off the winch. It may require a second small winch attached to the mast holder on the trailer or else through the use of a trailer strap around the mast holder and the mast itself or just some well placed and sized lines. The goal would be to single handedly step the mast and attach to something quickly and easily.
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