I recently purchased a '74 Hunter 25 in a slip without a trailer. I would like to lower the mast in it's slip to replace masthead and anchor lights. Any suggestions would be welcome since our only other alternative is to send my wife up the mast in a bosuns chair twice. She is not thrilled about heights and too small to winch me up.
Lowering the mast
- Thread starter Steve1116
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A hoist?
I used to have a 25 and made a wood tripod to put it & down up with. (you need 3 guys) Now I have a 27 and a bigger mast and use a big tide and a hoist off a pier. Best have the yard do it. I have beed up the mast and its pretty shaky -
I used to have a 25 and made a wood tripod to put it & down up with. (you need 3 guys) Now I have a 27 and a bigger mast and use a big tide and a hoist off a pier. Best have the yard do it. I have beed up the mast and its pretty shaky -
Try the trailer sailor forum or website.
I know it may not be a typical trailer boat but I'd post a thread in the trailer sailor forum or one on the TS website too. There's reams of info in the archives on stepping a mast with an A frame. We step my 26 mast, factory engineered for safety, all the time(on the water or on the trailer). Can't speak with any authority on a specific technique for your 25, except be very very careful especially if it doesn't have a hinged tabernacle. Short cuts and hastiness will bite you. Your wife is a generous gal "IF" she'll go up the mast especially if she's afraid of heights. You're on the right track in figuring out how to keep her safe and sound on deck and out of the rigging
Last resort but the safest....boat yard or hire a boom truck/crane. Maybe one of those Vegas tradesman/lighting/electrician guys with little boom truck who's looking for a quick job. Prep it ahead of time, 15min to set it on the deck and come back next day/week after your repairs. Be safe, Michael
I know it may not be a typical trailer boat but I'd post a thread in the trailer sailor forum or one on the TS website too. There's reams of info in the archives on stepping a mast with an A frame. We step my 26 mast, factory engineered for safety, all the time(on the water or on the trailer). Can't speak with any authority on a specific technique for your 25, except be very very careful especially if it doesn't have a hinged tabernacle. Short cuts and hastiness will bite you. Your wife is a generous gal "IF" she'll go up the mast especially if she's afraid of heights. You're on the right track in figuring out how to keep her safe and sound on deck and out of the rigging
Last resort but the safest....boat yard or hire a boom truck/crane. Maybe one of those Vegas tradesman/lighting/electrician guys with little boom truck who's looking for a quick job. Prep it ahead of time, 15min to set it on the deck and come back next day/week after your repairs. Be safe, MichaelUnstepping the mast
I used the procedure (ok, the reverse of the procedure) in the attached link to drop the mast on my 25 this spring. The rope bridle keeps the mast from going sideways during the operation. Used the mainsheet for mechanical advantage. I'd advise building some sort of mast crutch in the cockpit to support the mast while you replace the lights.
I used the procedure (ok, the reverse of the procedure) in the attached link to drop the mast on my 25 this spring. The rope bridle keeps the mast from going sideways during the operation. Used the mainsheet for mechanical advantage. I'd advise building some sort of mast crutch in the cockpit to support the mast while you replace the lights.
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