Very frustrated with two aborted attempts to step the mast of the Hunter 23 I just renovated. I used a pole to lift mast and two wooden crutches to hold the mast steady on the way up. I was surprised at the angle I needed for the mast to clear the cabin and allow me to insert the first hinge pin. Once the aft pin was in place, I moved aft to help my friend lift the mast and reposition the crutch until we were at the stern of the boat. I then lifted the mast with a pole out of that crutch while he inserted a smaller crutch we used in the cockpit seats. At this point, I felt I had a good angle on the mast and would be able to lift the mast using a 3:1 pulley attached between the forestay and the bow. No chance. I then brought the line back to the winch in the cockpit and attempted to winch in up, but the angle between the mast and the forestay was so acute (15-20 degrees) it was obvious there would not be enough force available to get the mast up. I have looked at numerous postings concerning stepping the mast, and am just confounded! Can anyone offer any suggestions? (small amounts of sarcasm graciously accepted if I can learn something!)
Cannot Step Mast on Hunter 23! Help!
- Thread starter Annapolis Day Sailor
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Apologize for the sideways photos. I am guessing those who do this regularly won't need much visual evidence as to why this process is not working for me!
We used to do this once a week on a Venture 23, with two people. You have to watch all the rigging to make sure it doesn't get twisted or hung up. From your pictures it looks like you could send one person forward and with that person pulling the forestay and the other pushing the mast, it should go right up. It worked for us.
John
John
Do you have a manual?
If not go here and make copies. http://www.ayesail.net/sailing/MainSailingPage.html
Raising the mast requires a gin pole inserted into the bottom of the mast. If you don't have one it will be easy to make one. You attach the main sheet to the padeye in the anchor well this attaches to the gin pole. The jib sheet is attached to the gin pole and locked on the cleat ON THE MAST. The gin pole must be leaned to the stern about 10 degrees. If you make it vertical, the main sheet blocks (pulleys) will come together before the mast is fully raised. Pull on the main sheet and up she goes. The first few pulls a a bugger but after that, it's easy. DON'T FORGET THE SIDE STAYS!
If not go here and make copies. http://www.ayesail.net/sailing/MainSailingPage.html
Raising the mast requires a gin pole inserted into the bottom of the mast. If you don't have one it will be easy to make one. You attach the main sheet to the padeye in the anchor well this attaches to the gin pole. The jib sheet is attached to the gin pole and locked on the cleat ON THE MAST. The gin pole must be leaned to the stern about 10 degrees. If you make it vertical, the main sheet blocks (pulleys) will come together before the mast is fully raised. Pull on the main sheet and up she goes. The first few pulls a a bugger but after that, it's easy. DON'T FORGET THE SIDE STAYS!
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John's picture is out of the water ballasted 23.5 model. I owned a 23 like yours for many years. I built a mast raising system that used the main sheet tackle to raise the mast. Send me an email and I'll send you the pictures and details.
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