just purchased a 76 oday 25 having it trailered from annapolis to new home in norfolk. have never taken down any mast before and would appreciate some instructions from anyone who has. boat is equipped with roller furling, imagine that complicates forestay a bit. thanks in advance Wayne if not too much trouble, could you also email as well as post, pls email: wmakenzie@verizon.net
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O'Day 25 Mast
My 25 doesn't have a furler, so I can't help with that part. However, since you have to disconnect the furler anway, you'll probably want to lower it aft. I've rigged a gin pole for mine, but it can be done without one. I would recommend getting LOTS of help with it. The mast gets heavy as it comes down. Because of the fact that the O'Day 25 only has single lower shrouds, you ONLY have to release either the forestay, or the back stay, to lower the mast. Like I said, in your case, you'll probably want to release the forestay. That said, here's the process I went through before I had the gin pole. Unhook the main halyard from the sail. Tie off that end to a cleat on the mast. Do the same with the jib halyard. Your goal here is to have the working end of both halyards forward of the mast, and the aft end made fast. On the working end of whichever halyard is longer, attach another line, this gives you a long angle as the mast lowers. It helps. The shorter halyard should be held by someone (if you have enough people) as a safety. Have someone take the longer halyard as far foward on the hard as possible. Both should be held while the forestay is disconnected. After the forestay is disconnected, remove the forward pin at the base of the mast. Leave the aft pin in place. Have a third person (preferably a third and fourth person) slowly pul the mast aft, while those holding the halyards hold them firm. Those lowering the mast should walk aft as the mast comes down, staying as far aft as they can while still being able to hold the mast. It gets very heavy as it comes down, and they need as much leverage as possible. Once the mast is completely down, remove the aft pin from the foot of the mast, and center the mast on the boat, and tie it down. Just as a side note, When I trailer mine, I use the plastic wrapping plastic that movers use (you can get it at a U-Haul store), and completely wrap the mast and rigging, starting aft and moving forward. MUCH easier than trying to figure out some way to tie the rigging down, and I haven't lost a part to date. Be sure to start aft, or the wind will get under the edges and blow it off. Hope this helps.
My 25 doesn't have a furler, so I can't help with that part. However, since you have to disconnect the furler anway, you'll probably want to lower it aft. I've rigged a gin pole for mine, but it can be done without one. I would recommend getting LOTS of help with it. The mast gets heavy as it comes down. Because of the fact that the O'Day 25 only has single lower shrouds, you ONLY have to release either the forestay, or the back stay, to lower the mast. Like I said, in your case, you'll probably want to release the forestay. That said, here's the process I went through before I had the gin pole. Unhook the main halyard from the sail. Tie off that end to a cleat on the mast. Do the same with the jib halyard. Your goal here is to have the working end of both halyards forward of the mast, and the aft end made fast. On the working end of whichever halyard is longer, attach another line, this gives you a long angle as the mast lowers. It helps. The shorter halyard should be held by someone (if you have enough people) as a safety. Have someone take the longer halyard as far foward on the hard as possible. Both should be held while the forestay is disconnected. After the forestay is disconnected, remove the forward pin at the base of the mast. Leave the aft pin in place. Have a third person (preferably a third and fourth person) slowly pul the mast aft, while those holding the halyards hold them firm. Those lowering the mast should walk aft as the mast comes down, staying as far aft as they can while still being able to hold the mast. It gets very heavy as it comes down, and they need as much leverage as possible. Once the mast is completely down, remove the aft pin from the foot of the mast, and center the mast on the boat, and tie it down. Just as a side note, When I trailer mine, I use the plastic wrapping plastic that movers use (you can get it at a U-Haul store), and completely wrap the mast and rigging, starting aft and moving forward. MUCH easier than trying to figure out some way to tie the rigging down, and I haven't lost a part to date. Be sure to start aft, or the wind will get under the edges and blow it off. Hope this helps.
just an added note ..
at the aft foot of my mast,there is an extra appendage where the vang can be attached. If I were to lower my mast in the aft direction, I would punch a nasty hole in my cabin top. So, be observant. Have a goog day!! Tom
at the aft foot of my mast,there is an extra appendage where the vang can be attached. If I were to lower my mast in the aft direction, I would punch a nasty hole in my cabin top. So, be observant. Have a goog day!! Tom
my brother and I unstepped mine
pretty much like Herb said, except we were both standing on the boat. I stood aft of the mast, hands up, while he lowered the mast to where I could reach it and guide it down. He passed the halyard over his shoulder and down around in front of him--this gave him a bit more of an angle and the grip was secure. It was hard, but stepping it was harder. I would be lying if I didn't tell you that I felt somewhat like the Coyote in the Road Runner cartoons when I was doing this. Did I mention I don't have a main hatch cover? I have a pdf file of the instruction manual for the optional accessory "Mast Raising System" for a 1977 O'day 25. Basically, you use the boom to do it. You attach the gooseneck of the boom to the footof the mast, attach 1/4 dacron lines from the end of the boom to triangular plates above the upper turnbuckles on the sidestays, and tie the boom topping lift aroudn the boom, about a foot behind the maisheet block strap. WIth everthing centered and tight, you either crank up on the mainsheet with the jib wench or by hand. Of course, you have the sidestays, the forestay, and the forward tabernacle pin in place. It sounds pretty simple, but I haven't tried it, yet. If you want me to send it to you, let me know. And if you have anyone has an extra main hatch cover that they want to get rid of, let me know that too!
pretty much like Herb said, except we were both standing on the boat. I stood aft of the mast, hands up, while he lowered the mast to where I could reach it and guide it down. He passed the halyard over his shoulder and down around in front of him--this gave him a bit more of an angle and the grip was secure. It was hard, but stepping it was harder. I would be lying if I didn't tell you that I felt somewhat like the Coyote in the Road Runner cartoons when I was doing this. Did I mention I don't have a main hatch cover? I have a pdf file of the instruction manual for the optional accessory "Mast Raising System" for a 1977 O'day 25. Basically, you use the boom to do it. You attach the gooseneck of the boom to the footof the mast, attach 1/4 dacron lines from the end of the boom to triangular plates above the upper turnbuckles on the sidestays, and tie the boom topping lift aroudn the boom, about a foot behind the maisheet block strap. WIth everthing centered and tight, you either crank up on the mainsheet with the jib wench or by hand. Of course, you have the sidestays, the forestay, and the forward tabernacle pin in place. It sounds pretty simple, but I haven't tried it, yet. If you want me to send it to you, let me know. And if you have anyone has an extra main hatch cover that they want to get rid of, let me know that too!
Mullet I would appreciate that pdf file
Not sure how many people I may have. Only ones I can count on are me and my wife. Anything that allows for a mechanical advantage would be a big help. Pls send to wmackenzie@verizon.net Thanks again for the help.
Not sure how many people I may have. Only ones I can count on are me and my wife. Anything that allows for a mechanical advantage would be a big help. Pls send to wmackenzie@verizon.net Thanks again for the help.
Ramazzini
Follow the link that jon posted right before my post. That is the exact pdf that I have. Before I posted, I tried to find the page where I got it from but couldnt. Thank goodness Jon was one step ahead of me.
Follow the link that jon posted right before my post. That is the exact pdf that I have. Before I posted, I tried to find the page where I got it from but couldnt. Thank goodness Jon was one step ahead of me.
Fellow Norfolkian
Wayne, I too own an Oday 25 and I keep it over at Scott's Creek marina in Portsmouth. Unfortunately I've never unstepped the mast in the few months that I've owned it, but maybe we can collaborate on a few other things regarding the boat. My cell is (757) 285-6017. Talk to you soon, Jonathan Oday 25 "My Amy 2"
Wayne, I too own an Oday 25 and I keep it over at Scott's Creek marina in Portsmouth. Unfortunately I've never unstepped the mast in the few months that I've owned it, but maybe we can collaborate on a few other things regarding the boat. My cell is (757) 285-6017. Talk to you soon, Jonathan Oday 25 "My Amy 2"
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