How Do I Step Mast on Hunter 23 Idiots Guide

[scott hall]

Still cant figure it out on how to attach jib line to forestay turnbuckle and run it thru a swivel block to winch in cockpit. I have watched videos but no use: . I have stepped it several times but with 4 people not 2 as manual says is all that is needed: I tried it once with winch but don't think I had it right as once boom at 45% being lowered it seemed like winch was useless did not hold, thought someone was going to get hurt.

Note, I desire to keep my boom attached as it looks like a pain to remove but maybe I am wrong.
.
Below is the instructions on Hunter 23 manual"

Attach a swivel block, not included, to the mooring pin in the bow. Tie the jib sheet to the forestay turnbuckle with a bowline and lead the sheet through the swivel block and aft to one of the jib sheet winches. You are now ready to raise the mast.

I have a hank jib

Thanks Scott

 

[Joe]

The forestay is not long enough to reach while the mast is tilted back horizontal. You simply need to clip or tie an extension to the end of the forestay. Assuming you un pin the turnbuckle to detach the forestay for lowering the mast, rather than unscrewing it all the way, .. you tie a small bowline knot in the end of one of your jib sheets or any spare rope long enough to do the job. Lead this extension through a block clipped to the stem head and run it back to a winch, etc..... (you need to know the bowline knot so learn it now, google it if you don't have a knot book).... Finally, don't leave your sheets attached to the sail for storage.... fold it properly by flaking it from top to bottom, rolling it up with the head, tack and clew on the same side, and stow the sail in its bag with those corners at the top...coil the sheets and stow in a separate, dry place. (not in the sail bag)

When raising the mast you'll need one person to lift it up above horizontal and keep it stable as the other person starts winching it up.....

 

[dlochner]

The boom is probably attached with one bolt at the gooseneck. When you take the mast down, where does the boom go?

Joe's directions are correct. The jib sheet, or any long enough line, is used to temporarily extend the forestay.

When the mast is mostly horizontal it is easier to lift the mast than pull it up. As the mast approaches vertical, it is easier to pull the mast to the vertical position than lift or push it up.

Does the manual tell you to loosen the shrouds before stepping the mast?

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Suggest this be addressed in small boats in Hunter forum where you should get more responses from Hunter 23 owners. @Kermit and others who follow me would you pleas comment as some at least one either owns or had owned a 23 in the past. Thanks. I may chime in later as a former dealer for that boat

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Suggest this be addressed in small boats in Hunter forum where you should get more responses from Hunter 23 owners. @Kermit and others who follow me would you pleas comment as some at least one either owns or had owned a 23 in the past. Thanks. I may chime in later as a former dealer for that boat

Or on TSBB where there are many mast stepping posts-

https://forum.trailersailor.com//new.php?forum_id=1&f=

 

[Kermit]

Suggest this be addressed in small boats in Hunter forum where you should get more responses from Hunter 23 owners. @Kermit and others who follow me would you pleas comment as some at least one either owns or had owned a 23 in the past. Thanks. I may chime in later as a former dealer for that boat

I read the original post but didn’t respond. As far as I can tell there’s no good way to step the H23 mast. Check the owner info page for the H23 and you’ll find how others have been more successful than I was. To address leaving the boom on... I can’t *imagine* trying to leave the boom on while trying to rassel the mast. (I almost asked if you’re crazy but it sounded bad when I looked at what I wrote.) Dang I can’t imagine trying that.

 

[Ken Cross]

By removing the boom, you lighten up the mast. Weight is what makes stepping and unstepping the mast difficult.

The easiest I have seen is the McGregor gin pole method. I used to go from road to water on our 26D in 30 minutes. That was with one person working and the other just watching and handing things up. This however was after a couple years of practice.

Ken
Ken

 

[scott hall]

Thanks for al the advice: The reason I don't want to take the boom down is that don't want to have to remove lazy jacks each time and hassel with line that hold end of boom to mast.