H23 Mast With No Hole For Gin Pole

[Annapolis Day Sailor]

My first lesson learned: do more than cursory forum searching PRIOR to trying something you have not done before! Two failed attempts to raise mast before realizing I needed to use a Gin-Pole or something like that to provide angles which allow the mast to be pulled up.

My mast has no hole near the base where a gin pole can be seated. I saw a picture of a wooded home built pole which sat on the mast. It's base was cut out to seat on the mast. Still not sure how, when there is force applied down on the top of the pole, that it does not kick out to either side. Second question is about the hardware on top of the gin pole. What does the main halyard go through? Third question is using the main halyard....is that so the forestay is available to be connected when the mast is up? I assumed (bad move...I know) I would be using the forestay to pull mast up, pin mast at base, then secure forestay.

If anyone had the time to direct me to a more in-depth thread for a first time mast raiser to more fully understand how to accomplish this safely I would very much appreciate it. Hoping to launch next Thursday. Thanks!

 

[tampastockman]

I just bought a 23.5 yesterday and I have the same problem with my mast. I am going to try to figure it out today and tomorrow and see what I come up with. I hope somebody has a simple solution to our problem. Good luck.

 

[Charlie13958]

The 23.5 originally came with a gin pole that entered the mast near the base. The pole was about 6' and had two wire loops at the end. One loop connected to the jib halyard and the other to one main sheet block with the other block connecting in the anchor locker. You should have 2 baby stays about 4' that connect to the mast and the ring on the forward life line stanchions to control side sway. hth

 

[cephius (Dave)]

Check out this thread from the Trailer Sailor's shared forum. They discuss a number of home build gin poles.

http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=122125&highlight=gin+pole

 

[John23883]

Sorry about the confusion

I was thinking 23.5 when I posted. So. If it was me I would drill and tap a hole about 6 " up from the base of the mast for a 3/8 bolt. Install a 2" long bolt and a lock nut tightened against the mast to hold it in place. This is your gin pole base. Make a gin pole from water pipe about 6-8' long with an inside opening large enough to fit over the bolt head. On the other end drill a hole through the pipe and thread a cable through it and make two loops with clamps.

You are correct that using the forestay to lift makes it hard to then attach it. That is why the jib halyard is used.

Now attach the main sheet to the bow facing loop and the JIB HALYARD (not the main halyard as it will want to twist the mast) to the stern facing loop. Again, the jib halyard MUST be attached to the mast, not to a cleat on the deck this has been tried with expensive results, as it will slip though the mast.

You must also have side stays attached to the mast at about 6 feet up to keep the mast from going sidways. You can certainly use lines (ropes) for this as there is not alot of strain on them. I forgot to attach them once and it was expensive. Our 26 has attachment points on the mast and on the stanchions which are in line with the pivot point. I think an attachment point on the mast will be the tricky part. You'll have to figure out how to to wrap a line around it to attach the side stays that won't want to slip down. Perhaps drill and tap a small 1/4 bolt that stops the line from slipping down?

If you don't have an attachment point at your stanchions, perhaps you can run a line fore and aft with a loop at the pivot point and then attach the side stay to that. It will want to stretch but pull it tight and you should be ok and will form a triangle shape.

Do you have an anchor locker in the bow with a padeye to attach the main sheet for lifting the mast?

Retired Engineer, can't help myself!
John

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Both gentlemen having difficulty. First take a photo of the forward base of the mast and send to me for clarification to davecondon@mindspring.com and I will respond to Annapolis Day Sailor and tampastockman. I am the one who designed the system.

Also advice that you have the mast raise pole and the two wire guides with each boat.
I will get back with you on Monday or Tuesday.

crazy dave condon