I usually have someone to help when I raise the mast on my '95 H26. However, this spring I will have to attempt to raise the mast myself with no help. I am looking for any techniques which have been successful for others in a similiar situation. I would assume one could use the winch, but the mainsheet and block system is too short to come back to the winch without extending the mainsheet somehow. Any ideas would be much appreciated. Thanks Ron
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mike
my thoughts
Mine's an H23 but I believe this subject crosses models. I'd definitely get a jin pole. Your main halyard can simply be attached to another line but make sure it's short enough not to have to pass through any blocks at the point of attachment. A plank helps me greatly to avoid stepping up to the cabin roof from the cockpit floor. Said plank would go from the transom to the cabin top. You might also look into the archives for the "tripod" system used by some.
Mine's an H23 but I believe this subject crosses models. I'd definitely get a jin pole. Your main halyard can simply be attached to another line but make sure it's short enough not to have to pass through any blocks at the point of attachment. A plank helps me greatly to avoid stepping up to the cabin roof from the cockpit floor. Said plank would go from the transom to the cabin top. You might also look into the archives for the "tripod" system used by some.
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Craig Nelson
H26 Mast Raising
We own a H23.5 which has the same setup as the 26. Last year, the wife met me at the lake and had arrived about 45 minutes before I got there. To my amazement, she had put the mast up by herself. We had done it together many times and I thought it was pretty easy, but I think she proved that it was not that bad. We use the method shown in the manual which uses the jib halyard, the "mast raising pole", and the main sheet attached to the eye in the anchor locker. Make sure you put on the cables from the side of the mast to the stanchions to keep it from going sideways. Then all you have to do is stand on the bow and pull the mast up with the main sheet. If you don't have a manual to look at the picture, let me know and I can scan a copy for you.
We own a H23.5 which has the same setup as the 26. Last year, the wife met me at the lake and had arrived about 45 minutes before I got there. To my amazement, she had put the mast up by herself. We had done it together many times and I thought it was pretty easy, but I think she proved that it was not that bad. We use the method shown in the manual which uses the jib halyard, the "mast raising pole", and the main sheet attached to the eye in the anchor locker. Make sure you put on the cables from the side of the mast to the stanchions to keep it from going sideways. Then all you have to do is stand on the bow and pull the mast up with the main sheet. If you don't have a manual to look at the picture, let me know and I can scan a copy for you.
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Ray Bowles
Ron, Craig and his wife are good examples
of the lack of difficulty raising the mast on the water ballasted Hunters. I have a 95 H26 and have raised the mast by my self many, many times. The key to doing it safely is to make sure the gin pole angle is right, that your attachment of the lines are good and that you use the factory supplied mast raising short shrouds. Having someone help by lifting the mast from dead flat does help alot. Usually there are people watching this process and I've always found someone that would help on that first 2 to 3 feet. After that it is easy. Without help I just use the main halyard winch to start the first 5 feet. With help it is easly done by hand without the winch if you stand up at the anchor locker. BE ABSOLUTLY SURE THE SHROUD TURNBUCKLES ARE STANDING UPRIGHT AND ARE NOT BENT IN THIS PROCESS!!!!! Ray S/V Speedy PS. I raised my mast at home for practice to be sure my procedure was right. Remember, being cool and unhurried is what makes us different from the twin 350 powered flying bridge boaters.
of the lack of difficulty raising the mast on the water ballasted Hunters. I have a 95 H26 and have raised the mast by my self many, many times. The key to doing it safely is to make sure the gin pole angle is right, that your attachment of the lines are good and that you use the factory supplied mast raising short shrouds. Having someone help by lifting the mast from dead flat does help alot. Usually there are people watching this process and I've always found someone that would help on that first 2 to 3 feet. After that it is easy. Without help I just use the main halyard winch to start the first 5 feet. With help it is easly done by hand without the winch if you stand up at the anchor locker. BE ABSOLUTLY SURE THE SHROUD TURNBUCKLES ARE STANDING UPRIGHT AND ARE NOT BENT IN THIS PROCESS!!!!! Ray S/V Speedy PS. I raised my mast at home for practice to be sure my procedure was right. Remember, being cool and unhurried is what makes us different from the twin 350 powered flying bridge boaters.
J
Jon Bastien / H25 'Adagio'
Mark..
Mark, Why not post your photos of the mast raising in the Photo forum? That's one of the hotter topics for an H23, and it would be nice to be able to point people to a photo series. --Jon Bastien
Mark, Why not post your photos of the mast raising in the Photo forum? That's one of the hotter topics for an H23, and it would be nice to be able to point people to a photo series. --Jon Bastien
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Doug Nowell
Its easy on the 240
I raise and lower the mast on my 240 every time I sail - in my opinion it is almost EASIER singlehanded than with someone else interfering! The only bit you need to look out for is the shroud turnbuckles - these can be a pain and I am considering how I can keep them "permanently" in position to stop the problem happening
I raise and lower the mast on my 240 every time I sail - in my opinion it is almost EASIER singlehanded than with someone else interfering! The only bit you need to look out for is the shroud turnbuckles - these can be a pain and I am considering how I can keep them "permanently" in position to stop the problem happening
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Toomas
No problem
I always raise and lower my mast singlehanded. Just follow the instructions in the H26 manual. And as an extra precaution I use double lines. Not necessary, but it makes me feel better. Once I stopped because of high waves. Just take it nice and easy and use a silent minute to check all the knots and bolts an extra time before you go for it. For me, it's extra inmportant, because I tend to get sloppy, when I have done things several times and know all about it. Toomas
I always raise and lower my mast singlehanded. Just follow the instructions in the H26 manual. And as an extra precaution I use double lines. Not necessary, but it makes me feel better. Once I stopped because of high waves. Just take it nice and easy and use a silent minute to check all the knots and bolts an extra time before you go for it. For me, it's extra inmportant, because I tend to get sloppy, when I have done things several times and know all about it. Toomas
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BART FORD
raisin' a mast
I have a 240 and have experienced the same problems. I have found that the boom cannot be attached to the mast. I atake mine loose at the mast and also the topping lift, otherwide it is too heavy to do alone. The turnbuckles are held at the top of their loops with bungee cords, one hook in a turnbuckle over the life line and down to the other one.
I have a 240 and have experienced the same problems. I have found that the boom cannot be attached to the mast. I atake mine loose at the mast and also the topping lift, otherwide it is too heavy to do alone. The turnbuckles are held at the top of their loops with bungee cords, one hook in a turnbuckle over the life line and down to the other one.
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Jim Loats
I use masking tape to hold the shrouds
in place, as others have suggested here. I tape them to the safety lines with the sticky side out, couple times around. When the mast gets fully upright, the tape breaks loose and and you're done! Have fun. I am READY !!! But the ponds around Denver are still frozen over except where the Canada Geese keep their spot open. Soon - Soon ! Hibernation is over. Jim S/V Grizzly Bear
in place, as others have suggested here. I tape them to the safety lines with the sticky side out, couple times around. When the mast gets fully upright, the tape breaks loose and and you're done! Have fun. I am READY !!! But the ponds around Denver are still frozen over except where the Canada Geese keep their spot open. Soon - Soon ! Hibernation is over. Jim S/V Grizzly Bear
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Tom Wootton
bent toggle prevention
Last summer I replaced all 4 toggles. Before reassembling the turnbuckles, I shoved a 1" long section of 1 1/4" diameter flexible thick-walled clear plastic tubing down onto each U-bolt. It's a snug fit, but once in place the tubing keeps the toggles at the top of the U-bolts. I also made up two 24" bungee cords with small SS hooks, one for port, one for starboard. Before raising the mast, I hook one turnbuckle, then go up over the lifeline and back down to the other turnbuckle. I stow these bungees together with the gin pole and the short (mast raising) shrouds so they'll be available (and remembered) when needed. BTW, now that I've got the hang of it, I prefer to raise and lower the mast solo. The cam cleat in the mainsheet is reliable, and allows me to go as slowly as I need to in order to make sure nothing is fouled. Going slow is the key; the first time I raised the mast I was in a hurry, and managed to bend 2 toggles AND a spreader.
Last summer I replaced all 4 toggles. Before reassembling the turnbuckles, I shoved a 1" long section of 1 1/4" diameter flexible thick-walled clear plastic tubing down onto each U-bolt. It's a snug fit, but once in place the tubing keeps the toggles at the top of the U-bolts. I also made up two 24" bungee cords with small SS hooks, one for port, one for starboard. Before raising the mast, I hook one turnbuckle, then go up over the lifeline and back down to the other turnbuckle. I stow these bungees together with the gin pole and the short (mast raising) shrouds so they'll be available (and remembered) when needed. BTW, now that I've got the hang of it, I prefer to raise and lower the mast solo. The cam cleat in the mainsheet is reliable, and allows me to go as slowly as I need to in order to make sure nothing is fouled. Going slow is the key; the first time I raised the mast I was in a hurry, and managed to bend 2 toggles AND a spreader.
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