I just bought a 1973 Javelin. It has a one-piece mast (23 ft) that apparently is to be set through a hole in the foredeck and sit on a mast step down inside the cuddy. I have no idea how to set up the mast, since it's not hinged at deck level, as my previous boats had it. How does one go about setting the mast in this situation? I'm not capable of manhandling it into place while climbing around on my wobbly trailer.
How to raise a one-piece mast?
- Thread starter SkipperW
- Start date
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 24,589
The Javelin is a 14ft boat. These small boats while a whole lot of fun can be a puzzle to figure out.
In my youthful period I would grab the mast while on the boat and tip it up to vertical. Once vertical I’d position the mast near the hole in the cuddy lift it up and slide it in. Having a couple of helpers to use the shrouds as guide wires and keep the mast vertical helped.
Our marina built what was called a swing crane. It was a pole about 15-20ft tall with an arm at the top for the small trailer boats. You’d pull the boat near the crane. Put a wrap around the mast in the upper 1/3. Crank up the mast so the base was high enough to clear the boat swing the mast over the boat. Position the base near the cuddy hole. Slide the base in and lower it into the boat. Saved the backs for all the dinghy sailors.
In my youthful period I would grab the mast while on the boat and tip it up to vertical. Once vertical I’d position the mast near the hole in the cuddy lift it up and slide it in. Having a couple of helpers to use the shrouds as guide wires and keep the mast vertical helped.
Our marina built what was called a swing crane. It was a pole about 15-20ft tall with an arm at the top for the small trailer boats. You’d pull the boat near the crane. Put a wrap around the mast in the upper 1/3. Crank up the mast so the base was high enough to clear the boat swing the mast over the boat. Position the base near the cuddy hole. Slide the base in and lower it into the boat. Saved the backs for all the dinghy sailors.
Best bet for The long run is to install a hinge mount at or just above the deck, likely similar to what you have had in the past. On a small boat like the Javelin, the shrouds could be left attached, and with the hinge, the mast is relatively easy to swing up into place.