Cal 28 Mast Unstepping

[m3sailor]

I have a 1988 Cal 28 which has a deck-stepped mast. I am planning on unstepping this winter and was wondering if any other 28 owners had recently unstepped their masts. Specifically, I am wondering how the mast electrical wiring is configured. I am expecting that the mast electrical wiring for mast lights and VHF antenna have a foot or two of extra length bundled up at the base of the mast to allow the crane to lift the mast before disconnecting. I am also hoping that there will be easy disconnects there. Can anyone let me know what to expect? Also any other advice re the unstepping would be welcome. I'm assuming that the mast can pretty much support itself with just the fore and aft lower shrouds so I can disconnect those last.

 

[John]

mast stepping

Expect the worst -- you will not be disappointed!Wiring inside the mast is spliced near the neck using either plugs or simply twisted. Plugs are preferred to minimize corrosion. Often these connections are taped to prevent them from coming apart, in my opinion taping is not necessary and is a real pain to remove when the mast is hanging in mid air. Be careful when removing wires--if your boat is in the water it will move up and down-the mast won't your fingers are in the middle. A large block of wood on the deck is a good idea to prevent smashed fingers.I don't know how your mast is supported but when I step/unstep mine every year one person stands at the maststep and wraps their arms around it to prevent the butt from swinging away as the shrouds are removed and the mast is lifted. I remove the fore stay last, the sides first. The mast is held up by a crane or forktruck by a line tied around the mast at and below the spreaders that has the end lead down to a cleat on the mast. The cleat is what is supporting the weight of the mast, not the spreaders. Hopefully the yard where you are doing this has a lot of experience or you have several experienced friends. Except for the part where your heart rises in your throat, it's not a very difficult job. By the way buy new cotter pins!

 

[m3sailor]

mast unstepping

Thanks for the input John. The wood block is a good idea. I'll make sure I have a set of wire cutters handy in case I get frustrated with the connections.