I Need Mast Raising Kit for Venture 25

[JoelHoover]

What works? I've read that the kits for the new 26m can be converted to work on older boats, but I want to hear directly from someone with a Venture (not a "Macgregor" Macgregor because the mast got significantly lighter after they dropped the Venture name). Any suggestions?

 

[caguy]

Joel the same principle of a gin pole to raise the mast is the same no matter how much your mast weighs. The mast on my 84 Mac is plenty heavy. Here is a link to one I made on the cheap that works well. There are variations to the theme but the physics are the same. Some use a winch like mine others use a block and tackle ie mainsheets. There are some real Rube Goldbergs out there.
If you have any questions get back and I will try to answer.

http://sbo.sailboatowners.com/index.php?option=com_mtree&task=viewlink&link_id=6620&Itemid=257

Sorry but pictures in article disappeared so I will post them here and fix article later.

Here is another interesting solution I found:
http://www.slowflight.net/upgrades/tips-GinPole.html

 

[Robspan]

A couple of years ago, I helped my brother install a mast raising kit on a Venture 222. He got it from BWY and it included the gin pole, lines, baby stays, winch and swiveling mast base. The latter made it much easier to swing the mast up and down. Installation went by the numbers and he was very happy with it.
Here is the link to the BWY page. It looks as if it might cost as much as $185 for pre 1987 Ventures.
You could call them to get details.

http://www.bwyachts.com/web catalog 31203/convenience safety storage/mast_raising_kit.htm

 

[JoelHoover]

Thanks for the input guys. I'm headed to home depot!

 

[ghickman07]

You don't need to buy a kit.

Just lay the mast on the boat with the pin in and the rest of the mast hanging of the back. Attach a side stay on each side with plenty of slack. Next, raise it up. You need two guys. One guy gets under it and walks forward as it is being raised. The other guy gets up at the bow and pulls on the jib halyard. You should be able to get the mast all the way up until the side stays tighten. At this point you need to attach the forward stay and all that is left is adjustment.

BTW, never ever take all the stays off of a single side. ALWAYS leave one side stay attached when you are tightening up your rigging.

To tighten your stays, just untwist the forward turnbuckle until it is at complete extension. Now, you can lean the mast to either side to adjust the side stays. Once you've done this just tighten up your forward turnbuckle and you should be set.

 

[blue noser]

I am going to build mine, lots of advice on here to get a guy through it, and hopefully save a lload of cash

 

[Bob McL]

Try this: http://www.tropicalboating.com/sailing/mastraising.html

 

[blue noser]

great link Bob, thanks, will be using it

wade

 

[Robspan]

Bob, thanks for the link. The way they handle the furler drum is brilliant. That's one of those great ideas that when you see it, you slap your forehead and wonder why you didn't think of it.