I would like to here from as many as remember, how long did it take you the first time you raised your mast and the first time you lowered your mast? Mine was set up for me the first time with me assisting. Then came the first solo lowering a few weeks later because my complimentary slip had expired. I got to the marina at 8:00am, and while I ran into a couple of irregular snags, such as the trailer tongue binding, it took close to forever. When it was all said and done, ready to roll out of the marina, it was about 2:30, that's about 6 1/2 hours! Granted, I was not rushing, because I wanted to do everything right, but I can't afford that kind of time every time I go sailing. What was your learning curve like? Dave
First try lowering mast
- Thread starter Dave D 94 H26
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lowering/raising
When I pulled my boat out the first time, I think it took around 2-3 hours with 2 people. This is from loading on the trailer until ready to roll. We also took our time and ended up doing a few things twice. Alot of this time was spent just securing everything. Lowering the mast is no big deal. I think it can be done in a hour with some practice. Setting the boat back up to launch took about 1.5hrs and I think it can be done much quicker also. We spent time talking, discussing, and re-doing many tasks, and we had to move the boat half way through the process to clear the ramp. Take your time raising and make sure you do not bind the turnbuckles on the shrouds. If you plan to trailer alot, you may want to thing about replacing all the split rings with quick release pins, as this will save time and keep your blood pressure low from not having to look for dropped rings. Where is your boat? I am in Cary, boat (h260) is at Kerr lake currently.
When I pulled my boat out the first time, I think it took around 2-3 hours with 2 people. This is from loading on the trailer until ready to roll. We also took our time and ended up doing a few things twice. Alot of this time was spent just securing everything. Lowering the mast is no big deal. I think it can be done in a hour with some practice. Setting the boat back up to launch took about 1.5hrs and I think it can be done much quicker also. We spent time talking, discussing, and re-doing many tasks, and we had to move the boat half way through the process to clear the ramp. Take your time raising and make sure you do not bind the turnbuckles on the shrouds. If you plan to trailer alot, you may want to thing about replacing all the split rings with quick release pins, as this will save time and keep your blood pressure low from not having to look for dropped rings. Where is your boat? I am in Cary, boat (h260) is at Kerr lake currently.
half an hour
When I had a C22 the Admiral and I had the drill down to about 1/2 hour. Of course, We were younger then, and that was just the mast stepping and launching part.
When I had a C22 the Admiral and I had the drill down to about 1/2 hour. Of course, We were younger then, and that was just the mast stepping and launching part.
Shrouds
This is probably obvious to others, but it wasn't to me at first... When I bought my H23.5, the shrouds were disconnected from the U-bolts. The first couple of times I moved the boat I disconnected and reconnected them. This alone could take half an hour because of those nasty split rings and the tight space between the U-bolt and the hull. It finally occurred to me that they don't have to be disconnected. When the mast is down, just run the shrouds up over the lifelines and secure to the mast so they don't flop around. ...RickM...
This is probably obvious to others, but it wasn't to me at first... When I bought my H23.5, the shrouds were disconnected from the U-bolts. The first couple of times I moved the boat I disconnected and reconnected them. This alone could take half an hour because of those nasty split rings and the tight space between the U-bolt and the hull. It finally occurred to me that they don't have to be disconnected. When the mast is down, just run the shrouds up over the lifelines and secure to the mast so they don't flop around. ...RickM...
Practice makes perfect (wrong!)
But it does help!! When I picked up my new H26, the mast was up in the dealer's yard. It was very hot (July in Phoenix) and the dealer went over everything about the boat - including how to lower the mast. We were in a hurry to get the boat in the water so we urged him to "fast-forward" through the lessons. We pulled the boat to the lake and soon discovered we couldn't figure out how to get the mast up. We tried until dark and then slept in the boat on the parking lot. The dealer arrived the next morning for our shake-down cruise and with his help we had the mast up in 15 minutes. It is still not uncommon for us to raise the mast twice before launching. E-Z Jacks seem to be the biggest problem. Running the E-Z Jack halyard backwards through the pulley on the mast, having the end of the halyard either run up to the pulley (knot in end of halyard) or running right back through the pulley (no knot in end), some part of the E-Z Jack twisted, are some examples. Also having the roller furler halyard positioned wrong or not having a long enough rope tied to the short end have caused us problems. But I've learned to tie bowline loops in the ends of halyards so 1. they can't run all the way up and out and 2. I can boat hook them if they run up. Just taking time to check and double check as I go along saves a lot time and redoing things. It's very satisfying to me to go through the mast-raising drill just once per launch and doing it right the first time! Jim Schaff s/v Savannah
But it does help!! When I picked up my new H26, the mast was up in the dealer's yard. It was very hot (July in Phoenix) and the dealer went over everything about the boat - including how to lower the mast. We were in a hurry to get the boat in the water so we urged him to "fast-forward" through the lessons. We pulled the boat to the lake and soon discovered we couldn't figure out how to get the mast up. We tried until dark and then slept in the boat on the parking lot. The dealer arrived the next morning for our shake-down cruise and with his help we had the mast up in 15 minutes. It is still not uncommon for us to raise the mast twice before launching. E-Z Jacks seem to be the biggest problem. Running the E-Z Jack halyard backwards through the pulley on the mast, having the end of the halyard either run up to the pulley (knot in end of halyard) or running right back through the pulley (no knot in end), some part of the E-Z Jack twisted, are some examples. Also having the roller furler halyard positioned wrong or not having a long enough rope tied to the short end have caused us problems. But I've learned to tie bowline loops in the ends of halyards so 1. they can't run all the way up and out and 2. I can boat hook them if they run up. Just taking time to check and double check as I go along saves a lot time and redoing things. It's very satisfying to me to go through the mast-raising drill just once per launch and doing it right the first time! Jim Schaff s/v Savannah
trailer extension
The folks at Magic Tilt say to slide the extension in or out, you need to disconnect the tow vehicle. How inconvenient can that be, especially if you are alone. I chock the front of the tires, pull the pin and drive. When it stops, it is out all the way. I leave the extension out until I retreive the boat and then reverse the process. The trailer had a socket on it that the bar slipped into. With the tow vehicle hooked up, it is nearly impossible to get the extension back into the socket. I cut mine off with a sawzall several years ago, and have not had any more problems. The side stays must be kept straight up or you run the rick of bending the turnbuckle T-bolt. I keep mine hook with a bungee cord over the lifeline and back down. Works.
The folks at Magic Tilt say to slide the extension in or out, you need to disconnect the tow vehicle. How inconvenient can that be, especially if you are alone. I chock the front of the tires, pull the pin and drive. When it stops, it is out all the way. I leave the extension out until I retreive the boat and then reverse the process. The trailer had a socket on it that the bar slipped into. With the tow vehicle hooked up, it is nearly impossible to get the extension back into the socket. I cut mine off with a sawzall several years ago, and have not had any more problems. The side stays must be kept straight up or you run the rick of bending the turnbuckle T-bolt. I keep mine hook with a bungee cord over the lifeline and back down. Works.
Most trailerable Hunters take longer
The main reasons are the swept-back spreaders and fact that the shroud chainplates are set farther aft than the mast base. When raising the mast with the forestay, the aft pull of the shrouds makes the job harder. Usually the shrouds have to be loosened quite a bit to make the job easier. Most other trailerables (Catalina 22 etc.) don't have the shroud chainplates so far aft, nor are the spreaders swept, so raising the mast takes less effort and less time. It takes me about 1.5 hours from road-ready to motoring away from the dock and about 2 hours on the return, and that's singlehanded with a mast-raising/lowering rig and a checklist. The return takes longer because I sail in salt water and I wash everything down before I leave. Peter H23 "Raven"
The main reasons are the swept-back spreaders and fact that the shroud chainplates are set farther aft than the mast base. When raising the mast with the forestay, the aft pull of the shrouds makes the job harder. Usually the shrouds have to be loosened quite a bit to make the job easier. Most other trailerables (Catalina 22 etc.) don't have the shroud chainplates so far aft, nor are the spreaders swept, so raising the mast takes less effort and less time. It takes me about 1.5 hours from road-ready to motoring away from the dock and about 2 hours on the return, and that's singlehanded with a mast-raising/lowering rig and a checklist. The return takes longer because I sail in salt water and I wash everything down before I leave. Peter H23 "Raven"
Getting ready also
I was just going to post a similar question when I noticed this thread. I need to remove my mast (1979 H25) for the first time to refinish my deck. Plus, I just want to learn to do it. My questions are: Is there anything I need to watch out for? I will be lower it while in the slip. Is there a specific order in which this should be done? Will I need any special hardware or rigging? Is the mast very heavy, just my wife and I want to do it if we can. Thanks
I was just going to post a similar question when I noticed this thread. I need to remove my mast (1979 H25) for the first time to refinish my deck. Plus, I just want to learn to do it. My questions are: Is there anything I need to watch out for? I will be lower it while in the slip. Is there a specific order in which this should be done? Will I need any special hardware or rigging? Is the mast very heavy, just my wife and I want to do it if we can. Thanks
I'm going boatyard...
I've been reading what I can on the subject, and I think I'm going with a boatyard, if only for liability and learning.
I've been reading what I can on the subject, and I think I'm going with a boatyard, if only for liability and learning.
What are E-Z Jacks?
Jim: What are E-Z jacks? Dave: I've put together a checklist for my H260. Go to:http://kobernus.com/hunter260_web/checklist/checklists.htm I usually take my time and don't allow any assistance -- that just slows me done. I've done it in the water but prefer to do it on the hard. Takes about 1.0 hrs to get the boat in the water and more time to lower the mast and prep the boat for travel (It's all those bungies that need applying).
Jim: What are E-Z jacks? Dave: I've put together a checklist for my H260. Go to:http://kobernus.com/hunter260_web/checklist/checklists.htm I usually take my time and don't allow any assistance -- that just slows me done. I've done it in the water but prefer to do it on the hard. Takes about 1.0 hrs to get the boat in the water and more time to lower the mast and prep the boat for travel (It's all those bungies that need applying).
I'm slow
After getting my boat on the trailer this fall, I spent about 1.5 hrs to lower the mast and secure everything. I only trailer about 10 miles. If I had to go further or on the highway, then I'm sure it would have added another half hour to make things fast. One trick is to leave the shrouds alone and simply use the forestay turnbuckle to slacken the rig. My h26 has CDI roller furler, which IMHO significantly adds to the time and complexity of raising and lowering the mast, but I wouldn't be without it. Ron Mehringer h26 Hydro-Therapy
After getting my boat on the trailer this fall, I spent about 1.5 hrs to lower the mast and secure everything. I only trailer about 10 miles. If I had to go further or on the highway, then I'm sure it would have added another half hour to make things fast. One trick is to leave the shrouds alone and simply use the forestay turnbuckle to slacken the rig. My h26 has CDI roller furler, which IMHO significantly adds to the time and complexity of raising and lowering the mast, but I wouldn't be without it. Ron Mehringer h26 Hydro-Therapy
E-Z Jacks
George, E-Z Jacks are a rope cradle that the main sail falls into when it is dropped. They attach under the boom at three points (one towards the aft end of the boom, one in the middle and one toward the forward end). The E-Z Jack halyard goes up through a pulley right uner the spreader and then comes down and cleats off on the mast. You can sail with them up or down. I'm sure they mess up the air flow somewhat when they are up though. When they are down they lay at the bottom, on both sides, of the mast. Jim Schaff
George, E-Z Jacks are a rope cradle that the main sail falls into when it is dropped. They attach under the boom at three points (one towards the aft end of the boom, one in the middle and one toward the forward end). The E-Z Jack halyard goes up through a pulley right uner the spreader and then comes down and cleats off on the mast. You can sail with them up or down. I'm sure they mess up the air flow somewhat when they are up though. When they are down they lay at the bottom, on both sides, of the mast. Jim Schaff
E-Z Jacks (contd.)
E-Z Jacks are made up of two seperate retainers/cradles, one on each side of the boom.
E-Z Jacks are made up of two seperate retainers/cradles, one on each side of the boom.
Electric winch is a no strainer
The first time we stepped the mast was to pull it 1000mi to the house(which went very well) so that was 1.5hr. Since then I utilize an electric winch and 6' remote in place of the manual crank job and have a simple system to raise and lower the mast on the trailer in about 60sec with the same elec winch we pull the boat on with. It's way too easy and I'm not under the rig if disaster strikes. Primarily I always extend the trailer, check the stays, have quick relase hitch pins where needed, installed centerboard guides on the center trailer bunk, and remember slower and smarter with a good attitude is usually faster and healthier. It's become an easy system and we can be on the water from arrival at the dock to sheets in my hand within 30-40mins with only light/moderate effort. We have no dock so trailering and launching simplicity is critical and this boat works fine single handed or with help. MKS
The first time we stepped the mast was to pull it 1000mi to the house(which went very well) so that was 1.5hr. Since then I utilize an electric winch and 6' remote in place of the manual crank job and have a simple system to raise and lower the mast on the trailer in about 60sec with the same elec winch we pull the boat on with. It's way too easy and I'm not under the rig if disaster strikes. Primarily I always extend the trailer, check the stays, have quick relase hitch pins where needed, installed centerboard guides on the center trailer bunk, and remember slower and smarter with a good attitude is usually faster and healthier. It's become an easy system and we can be on the water from arrival at the dock to sheets in my hand within 30-40mins with only light/moderate effort. We have no dock so trailering and launching simplicity is critical and this boat works fine single handed or with help. MKS
Mast raising leverage
I currently have a MacGregor and in the market for a Hunter....time to upgrade. I don't know anything about the mast raising of the Hunter but you might want to look at Mac's mast raising system, ingenious and simple. A six foot pole is attached to the mast plate on the cabin roof with a yoke and a bolt. The pole is used perpendicular to the mast. On either side of the tip is an eyelet. On one side connect a halyard from the top of the mast, on the other side a double block come along similar to what we use for a boom vang, just a much longer line. Connect one block to the second eyelet and one to the deck. Run the lifting line aft to a winch and lift or lower away. There is a picture of this on Mac's website to give you a better idea and I've added that link. In the picture you see the lifting winch is mounted on the pole but that is unecessary, just imagine the line in the picture that is running forward going through a double block and then aft to a winch. It works wonderfully well. They also offer temporary shrouds that keep the mast from leaning left or right during the raising or lowering although an assistant can perform this function. Check out the link I have attached.
I currently have a MacGregor and in the market for a Hunter....time to upgrade. I don't know anything about the mast raising of the Hunter but you might want to look at Mac's mast raising system, ingenious and simple. A six foot pole is attached to the mast plate on the cabin roof with a yoke and a bolt. The pole is used perpendicular to the mast. On either side of the tip is an eyelet. On one side connect a halyard from the top of the mast, on the other side a double block come along similar to what we use for a boom vang, just a much longer line. Connect one block to the second eyelet and one to the deck. Run the lifting line aft to a winch and lift or lower away. There is a picture of this on Mac's website to give you a better idea and I've added that link. In the picture you see the lifting winch is mounted on the pole but that is unecessary, just imagine the line in the picture that is running forward going through a double block and then aft to a winch. It works wonderfully well. They also offer temporary shrouds that keep the mast from leaning left or right during the raising or lowering although an assistant can perform this function. Check out the link I have attached.
Let you know Friday
If Wilma stays on her current track, I'm pulling my 240 off her mooring Thursday morning to ride out the storm ashore on her trailer. I'll let you know how long it takes under these leisurely and unstressed circumstances. Marc_B
If Wilma stays on her current track, I'm pulling my 240 off her mooring Thursday morning to ride out the storm ashore on her trailer. I'll let you know how long it takes under these leisurely and unstressed circumstances. Marc_B
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