Sam, The jib halyard attaches to the gin pole,
the mainsheet from the gin pole to the anchor locker front U-bolt.. The gin pole must have about a 10 to 15 degree angle leaning toward the mast top. It should not be at a right angle to the mast. Cleat everything down VERY securly. On my 95 H26 I have two temporary mast raising shrouds just for raising the mast. I'm fairly sure the early 260 were the same. I think later model 260 used a different set-up. Be sure which you have. Last year I completely set all my mast shroud and stay tensions, rake and bend using a "Loos Tension Gauge". After that I found that the roller furling was too tight to pin to the bow attachment point by hand as I raised the mast. Now I use the boom vang block on the trailer step ladder and hook it to the furling base. Piece of cake. Without a furler you hook the forestay in this position. The boom vang trick might also work for this if it is too hard to do by hand. BE ABSOLUTLY SURE YOUR MAST SHROUDS (4) ARE ALL STANDING UPRIGHT AS YOU RAISE THE MAST SO YOU DON'T BEND THEM!! Have someone watch these if possible. By the way, resetting the mast shroud tension made "Speedy" a new lady. Mine had never been re-set since delivery. She's much faster, points much higher and doesn't have that resonating, pumping motion. All for less than $60 and requiring about 4 hours of tinkering. Ray S/V Speedy PS. Look at that! I took a 1 word required answer and made it into a book. I should run for office somewhere.
