H26 Mast Raising System

[BrianW]

Hi All: When raising the mast of my '94 H26, the hole at the base of the mast to accept the mast raising pole bent inward at the bottom and outward at the top. The mast definitely wasn't bound in any way. I was able to manually lift the mast a foot or so from the mast crutch pole. Fortunately, I was able to find a scrap H26 mast and cut a 6" section from it to make a reinforcing sleeve around the lower section of my mast and made a new hole to accept the mast raising pole. Now when I raise the mast I manually assist the mast lift for the first few feet of the lift. What happenened to cause the initial damage? Has anyone experienced this? Any solutions? Thanks, BrianW

 

[Dick1505]

Pole must have moved

Sounds like Jib halyard may not have been tight enough allowing the pole to move. My mast had been reenforced previosly. I don't even try to raise the mast from the mast support without assisting it. When raising it alone, I push up on the mast with one hand while pulling on the main sheet that locks in position as it goes. I get another handful of sheet and push up on the mast until I'm standing on the cabin threshold. From there it pull up easily.

 

[Jonathan Costello]

I agree with Dick

The halyard must have slipped. Personally, I have never experienced your problem. The manula does state that the pole should be angled a certain amount. I typically adjust the angle by tightening the halyard and ensure that it is cleated off properly. Sound like you have the base reinforced well.Good Luck.

 

[BIGUMs]

atv winch

I back up my ATV into my pickup and use the winch that came with the 4wheeler. Actually I did that the first time this season and I think Im going to buy a winch to mount in the truck for this task. You have no idea how much easier and faster it was. normally raising the mast start to finnish takes me around 20-25 minutes using the ATV winch took less than 5 minutes, not counting putting the sail on. has anyone else thought of this?Brad

 

[BIGUMs]

sory wrong spot

sorry for the atv winch thing, I put it in the wrong place

 

[BrianW]

Angle of the Dangle

Hi All: Thanks to ya'll, I think I have it now. Sounds like my geometry was off a bit. I think I may have been angled down toward the bow too much. Also, the basic design sounds like it needs a little manual assist for the first few feet of the lift. Thanks, BrianW

 

[Rick Webb]

It's Bringing it Down George Has Trouble

Those were your pictures of the mast with several extra bends if I remember right. Thanks for posting it I always look up when pulling the boat out and a couple of times have found braches, power lines, all sorts things I may have hit but for your warnings, thanks again.