Hi folks, I recently purchased an O'Day 23 (1973) and I have to step the mast. I'm not new to sailing (i.e. under way operation) but am embarassed at the difficulty I'm having (and with 3 other bodies available to help me) stepping the mast. My marina does not have the capability to crane the mast onto the boat; however, since the 23 is a trailer-able sailer, I should be able to do this myself or at least with 1 other person, right? Any tricks, thoughts, suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Help with stepping the mast on O'Day 23
- Thread starter DAGLAW
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my 2 cents
very limited experience here! but, we just bought a '79 23 o day and stepped the mast a couple of times in the past week. my son and i were able to step fairly easy. lowering was a little tougher, but still managable. hobie 16 is tougher. our mast steps from the bow back. we fasten the side stays and the forestay, put in the front hinge pin and walk the mast up. fasten back stay and then insert the back pin (larger). we then set the boom. hope this helps, dale m.
very limited experience here! but, we just bought a '79 23 o day and stepped the mast a couple of times in the past week. my son and i were able to step fairly easy. lowering was a little tougher, but still managable. hobie 16 is tougher. our mast steps from the bow back. we fasten the side stays and the forestay, put in the front hinge pin and walk the mast up. fasten back stay and then insert the back pin (larger). we then set the boom. hope this helps, dale m.
My method
I place my mast forward on the bow pulpit and install one pin into the mast step. Then install the boom, and tie some guy lines from the top cleats on the boom to the upper/lower side stay mounting spot on the deck. This will keep the boom pointing up, and stabilize the mast on the way up,1/4" line is fine. Then connect the mainsheet from the end of the boom to a secure spot on the deck, I have a big pad eye installed in front of the companionway. Then hoist away (you do have a 3 or 4 to one mainsheet, right?). A couple things to watch for; make sure your side stays/t bolts/turnbuckles are loosish, and don't getin a bind, andmake sure the front stay doesn't snag on a cleat/block/etc.
I place my mast forward on the bow pulpit and install one pin into the mast step. Then install the boom, and tie some guy lines from the top cleats on the boom to the upper/lower side stay mounting spot on the deck. This will keep the boom pointing up, and stabilize the mast on the way up,1/4" line is fine. Then connect the mainsheet from the end of the boom to a secure spot on the deck, I have a big pad eye installed in front of the companionway. Then hoist away (you do have a 3 or 4 to one mainsheet, right?). A couple things to watch for; make sure your side stays/t bolts/turnbuckles are loosish, and don't getin a bind, andmake sure the front stay doesn't snag on a cleat/block/etc.
thanks for the tips..
Thanks folks, I'm heading to the marina this afternoon to see what happens...
Thanks folks, I'm heading to the marina this afternoon to see what happens...
just my offering
My wife and I have a '78 O'Day 23, and we step the mast with no problem. I have done it myself as well, although that's a bit tougher. Attach the forestay and sidestays while the mast is down. Slide it out over the bow, and and put in the front pin. Then, if you're alone, pick and push it up into place. If you have a helper, it helps if once the mast is up a bit, if they pull on the back stay. With the side stays attached, it will feel tight when it gets to about 70 degrees or so, push, but have a hand on the back of the mast, as it will kind of "snap" into place (not violently, don't worry). When it pops over onto the deck, put the back pin in, then attach your back stay. Then tighten up your side stays. I believe this follows the directions from the original O'Day 23 manual.
My wife and I have a '78 O'Day 23, and we step the mast with no problem. I have done it myself as well, although that's a bit tougher. Attach the forestay and sidestays while the mast is down. Slide it out over the bow, and and put in the front pin. Then, if you're alone, pick and push it up into place. If you have a helper, it helps if once the mast is up a bit, if they pull on the back stay. With the side stays attached, it will feel tight when it gets to about 70 degrees or so, push, but have a hand on the back of the mast, as it will kind of "snap" into place (not violently, don't worry). When it pops over onto the deck, put the back pin in, then attach your back stay. Then tighten up your side stays. I believe this follows the directions from the original O'Day 23 manual.
Stepping mast
I too have an O'day 23. I used to struggle mightily with sticking the mast down the hole until I devised a rig to raise it and lower it in place. The rig consisted of two aluminum poles that pivot on the staybolt fittings. I am now getting the boat out (it's been in storage for several years) and am rounding up all of the fittings I use for this excercise. I'll make some photos over in the next 2 weeks and email them to you if you are still interested. It works quite well using the sheet winches and a few blocks.
I too have an O'day 23. I used to struggle mightily with sticking the mast down the hole until I devised a rig to raise it and lower it in place. The rig consisted of two aluminum poles that pivot on the staybolt fittings. I am now getting the boat out (it's been in storage for several years) and am rounding up all of the fittings I use for this excercise. I'll make some photos over in the next 2 weeks and email them to you if you are still interested. It works quite well using the sheet winches and a few blocks.
Stepping my 23 1st time
Daglaw...I just raised the mast for the first time on my 1973 23 (Convertible, so it just has the foot, no hole to go down in), and let me tell you, it was ALOT of work!! We had 4 guys and 1 girl and it was all we could do. I have decided that I will have a metal fabricator make me up a "hinged mast step" since Rudy doesn't have one and most of the work involved was guiding it onto the foot. I must say, the work was worth it because we are now sailing away and enjoying it very much!!
Daglaw...I just raised the mast for the first time on my 1973 23 (Convertible, so it just has the foot, no hole to go down in), and let me tell you, it was ALOT of work!! We had 4 guys and 1 girl and it was all we could do. I have decided that I will have a metal fabricator make me up a "hinged mast step" since Rudy doesn't have one and most of the work involved was guiding it onto the foot. I must say, the work was worth it because we are now sailing away and enjoying it very much!!
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