Gin Pole for Mac 25

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davenlynn

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May 22, 2011
159
MacGregor 25 San Diego
I'm putting together the mast raising system for my Mac 25 ('81). What is the optimum height for the pole? By the ay, for the base I got one of those chain Stops from marinepartdepot.com. They list for $58.99 but are on sale for $17.96 and there is NO shipping charge. Lots of other hardware, etc. also available on their site. (Or am I preaching to the choir?)

Thanks,

Dave
 
Freedom77

Freedom77

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Jul 29, 2010
1,392
Macgregor 76 V-25 #928 Lake Mead, Nevada
halleujah, halleujah, Yeah it's a good site for stuff. Signed the choir.length of gin pole depends on whether you're fractional or masthead rig. Fair winds and full Sails....
 
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davenlynn

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May 22, 2011
159
MacGregor 25 San Diego
This be a fractional rig, Matey. Aren't they all? At least according to the old literature I've read.
 
flynfol

flynfol

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Oct 8, 2008
362
MacGregor/Venture 25 Winthrop Harbor, IL Drummond Island,MI
I use my spinaker pole and mainsheet/blocks. It reaches from the mast to just short of the stem fitting. I step on the end of the pole to get the forestay clevis in. I made up some bridals/baby stays out of garage door cables that attach to existing fittings, then remove them once the mast is up. Nothing in the way afterward. Bridles/baby stays coil up in a fabric shopping bag that stows below deck.
 

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justsomeguy

justsomeguy

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Feb 20, 2011
8,048
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
davenlynn said:
I'm putting together the mast raising system for my Mac 25 ('81). What is the optimum height for the pole? By the ay, for the base I got one of those chain Stops from marinepartdepot.com. They list for $58.99 but are on sale for $17.96 and there is NO shipping charge. Lots of other hardware, etc. also available on their site. (Or am I preaching to the choir?)

Thanks,

Dave
Click to expand
IMO, the optimum height should be as high as you can comfortably reach when it's mounted vertically, so you can attach/detach lines without much difficulty. Mine's a little too high, and I'm gonna cut it down a couple of inches. The winch's height is another ergonomic issue. It seems to me it should be around hip high or slightly lower for easier cranking. It's all relative to who's doing the cranking and rigging. Tom
 
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davenlynn

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May 22, 2011
159
MacGregor 25 San Diego
Thanks to all of you for your help, I really appreciate it. The more I ask, the more I learn. Perhaps someday I'll be able to give advice, too. Until then, though, be ready for more questions. I'll try to keep them intelligent.

Dave
 
timebandit

timebandit

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Jun 3, 2004
1,863
Macgregor 25 So. Cal.
My gin pole is almost 9 feet long and doubles as a jib boom or the world's longest boat hook.

I can also use it to lasso dock cleats.
 
Kestle

Kestle

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Jun 12, 2011
702
MacGregor 25 San Pedro
That's a great idea...I'd like to hear how you set it up.

Also, I've seen your photos of the excellent mods you've done before, and was disappointed to see a few blades of grass that hadn't been trimmed properly in the photo...

:) Jeff
 
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davenlynn

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May 22, 2011
159
MacGregor 25 San Diego
Picky, picky. Now . . . one last question (for the time being). On the 25, how high on the mast should the "Baby Stays" be attached? I'm finally at the point where I'm just about ready to attempt to raise the mast.
 
timebandit

timebandit

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Jun 3, 2004
1,863
Macgregor 25 So. Cal.
I use cleats mounted six feet up the mast and "U" bolts mounted even with the mast and 24 inches out.

The haylards are hanging from them in the picture.

davenlynn said:
Picky, picky. Now . . . one last question (for the time being). On the 25, how high on the mast should the "Baby Stays" be attached? I'm finally at the point where I'm just about ready to attempt to raise the mast.
Click to expand
 
timebandit

timebandit

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Jun 3, 2004
1,863
Macgregor 25 So. Cal.
Kestle said:
That's a great idea...I'd like to hear how you set it up.

Also, I've seen your photos of the excellent mods you've done before, and was disappointed to see a few blades of grass that hadn't been trimmed properly in the photo...

:) Jeff
Click to expand
First I get down on my knees with trimmers and magnifying glass and a beer---:dance:

OH! You mean the pole.:doh:

First I atach the pole to the deck with a pin and then lay it on the mast.

Then attach the jib halyard to one of the "U" bolts and the block and tackle to the other.

I use the block and tackle to raise the pole to about 80 degrees to the mast and then tighten the jib halyard to pull the pole tight .

I use motorcycle soft ties and tie down straps to make the baby stays.

I use a motorcycle cable lock run the the trailer bow eye on the boat with a lock to connect the the boat side of the block and tackle.

I run the bitter end of the block and tackle through the cabin top clam cleat as extra safty measure.

Then just pull up the mast with the block and tackle, with the long pole it is no problem to just put your knee on it to attach the forstay.

The block and tackle become the main sheet rig, the lock and cable garantee the boat trailer will still be attached to the truck when I get back.

The motorcycle tie downs and soft ties go back in the little bag with the other rigging stuff and the pole is reversed to become the jib boom or is just hung on the life lines for whatever.

Untying the standing rigging takes longer than raising the mast.:neutral:

PS
You need the the long tie down straps the 8 footers won't reach.
 
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davenlynn

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May 22, 2011
159
MacGregor 25 San Diego
My sincere and humble thanks to all who have shared their wisdom with me. I appreciate it more than I can say, and I will be back for more. I'm gonna float this boat come hell or high tide.

Dave
 
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