hoisting the mast for a 15' javelin

[trudy]

Does anyone have any hints/suggestions on how to make hoisting the mast of a 15' javelin easier? The length and weight of the mast make it an impossible task for a single person and an almost impossible task for two people. Since I do not have the sailboat at a dock that means the mast must be taken down and put up each time I want to sail. Is there an easy way to get the mast up/down?Thank you - trudykonkoly@hotmail.com

 

[Dan Marques]

use the halyard

Don't know about your particular boat, but I have a technique that makes dropping the mast on my Mariner an easy job for two people, and raising it a doable job for two.Dropping the mast:attach the jib halyard to the place on the front of the boat where the jib tack is usually attached (forgot what this piece is called), and put as much tension as possible on the halyard. tie the halyard to its usual cleat.loosen the backstay slightly, enough so that you can remove the forestay. remove the forestay.the mariner has two shrouds on either side of the mast, remove the forward two.one person stands up on the deck near the mast, so that the mast is aligned with his shoulder. the second person stands by at the halyard cleat.the second person removes the halyard from the cleat, keeping tension. he slowly releases the tension while the first person holds the mast (resting it on his shoulder) and guides it down.this works well b/c the person supporting all the weight has it in a rope, and is standing in a well balanced position, while the person in the more precarious position does not need to hold the mast up, but rather keep it from falling.sorry for all the typos, my hands are alseep today.

 

[Mark]

Easy mast raising

I owned a Javlin for 3 years and like you found it difficult to lift and drop the mast into its hole in the deck and then insert the mast onto its keel plate.I solved this problem by buying a "tabernacle" to fit the mast. A tabernacle is a two part hinge that allows you raise and lower the mast with the side stays attached. Only the forestay is left to attach when raising. The mast is very stable during the whole process. It does involve some work, but once completed raising and lowering the mast is so easy it becomes just another enjoyable part of sailing.Just make sure the tabernacle you buy/order fits the contour of your mast cross section.To install, follow these steps:1. With the mast up, place a mark on the mast that will allow you lower the mast and have it rest on the transom without it hitting the top of the cuddy cabin.2. Cut the mast at this spot. Make sure your mark goes all the way arount the mast so you cut straight.3. Rivet the ends of the tabernacle to each end of the mast where you just cut it. You can't get it backwards, it only fits one way. Just make sure the tabernacle plates are square with the mast.4. Now you can mount the short section of mast to its keel plate perminently.5. You may have to adjust your sidestays and forestays to allow for the slight mast height increase.6. Now just devise a system to hold you mast securly to the boat when it's down and you can keep your sidestays attached to the boat perminently.If you need for info. or pictures let me know by sending a reply and I'll post them at this site.