new owner,old sailor needs input on mast raising,lowering. The pics in the owners manual show a guy and girl having fun buy themselves while winching the forestay and guiding the thing up. Can it be this easy?? Back in the day I walked the mast on a Hobie 16 up the tramp ,anybody guess how much heavier the H23 mast is? I've seen discussions about gin poles and complicated winching systems mostly to solve singlehanded operations. Anybody use these? Help and thanks
mast handling on the23'new owner old sailor
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23 or 23.5?
If you are asking about a 23.5, you place a Gin Pole in the base of the mast and connect Jib Halyard to end of Gin Pole. Then connect one end of mainsheet to other eyelet on Gin Pole and the other end of Mainsheet to Padeye in Anchor Locker. Tighten Jib Halyard so Gin Pole is perpendicular to mast and secure. Use mainsheet to raise mast while first mate helps lift the first couple feet off Mast Crutch. If you have a 23, I can't help you.
If you are asking about a 23.5, you place a Gin Pole in the base of the mast and connect Jib Halyard to end of Gin Pole. Then connect one end of mainsheet to other eyelet on Gin Pole and the other end of Mainsheet to Padeye in Anchor Locker. Tighten Jib Halyard so Gin Pole is perpendicular to mast and secure. Use mainsheet to raise mast while first mate helps lift the first couple feet off Mast Crutch. If you have a 23, I can't help you.
Here's our program
My wife and I have our system down pretty well on our older H22. It's a 26' mast that may be similar to what you have. It's heavy and could cause some damage if dropped - so first advice is to be careful and don't park near anything that could be damaged if you do drop it. The second advice is to park on as level a spot as possible. And third, watch the wind! My mast was broken when I bought the boat because the PO underestimated the wind factor and tried to bring the mast down by himself. I would also say to expect it to go up easier than it comes down. Ok, so here's our system. I attached a small boat winch on the toung of the trailer as far up as I could get it where the winch handle wouldn't get into the bumper when making corners. I replaced the nylon strap with some 1/2" nylon braded rope - about 40' or so which is more than necessary. I run the winch rope up over the bow pulpet and then connect to the forestay. I should mention that this is after we have the mast hingeplate in place and the first of the two pins in. After I make sure that everything is in place and none of the stays will hang the wife starts cranking the winch slowly (she's on the ground) and I (up on the boat) guide it up into place. I have experimented with disconnecting my stays and leaving them attached (loosened off) and find that most of the time I can leave all stays attached except for the front. I did bend a bolt on a turnbuckle recently but I would attribute that with being careless and not going up slow enough. One nice thing about leaving the port and starboard stays/shrouds attached is that as the mast comes up you get side to side support - but only as the mast comes up to almost verticle and the shrouds come into place. You really have to watch that the mast doesn't fall over to one side or the other because that's when some real damage can occur. I have put the mast up by myself but never taken it down alone. I would not reccomend doing either by yourself if you can help it. My little boat winch system cost less than $30 total and has worked better than anything else I have tried. The manual I have from '82 shows a couple on the boat - the guy guiding the mast up and the lady working one of the jib winches. This system is the same idea but instead of going down to the trailer toung you have your rope through a turning block attached to the very front of the toe rail and then routed back to that winch. I've tried this but prefer my method with the winch on the trailer toung. I suppose if you were in the water this would be the prefered method. Before we installed the winch we would have one person on the ground handling the rope attached to the stay to provide support and steady the mast as it came up/down - but most of the weight was on the person on the boat. With the winch you can let it take the weight and you can go slow and careful. Hope that helps. Wes
My wife and I have our system down pretty well on our older H22. It's a 26' mast that may be similar to what you have. It's heavy and could cause some damage if dropped - so first advice is to be careful and don't park near anything that could be damaged if you do drop it. The second advice is to park on as level a spot as possible. And third, watch the wind! My mast was broken when I bought the boat because the PO underestimated the wind factor and tried to bring the mast down by himself. I would also say to expect it to go up easier than it comes down. Ok, so here's our system. I attached a small boat winch on the toung of the trailer as far up as I could get it where the winch handle wouldn't get into the bumper when making corners. I replaced the nylon strap with some 1/2" nylon braded rope - about 40' or so which is more than necessary. I run the winch rope up over the bow pulpet and then connect to the forestay. I should mention that this is after we have the mast hingeplate in place and the first of the two pins in. After I make sure that everything is in place and none of the stays will hang the wife starts cranking the winch slowly (she's on the ground) and I (up on the boat) guide it up into place. I have experimented with disconnecting my stays and leaving them attached (loosened off) and find that most of the time I can leave all stays attached except for the front. I did bend a bolt on a turnbuckle recently but I would attribute that with being careless and not going up slow enough. One nice thing about leaving the port and starboard stays/shrouds attached is that as the mast comes up you get side to side support - but only as the mast comes up to almost verticle and the shrouds come into place. You really have to watch that the mast doesn't fall over to one side or the other because that's when some real damage can occur. I have put the mast up by myself but never taken it down alone. I would not reccomend doing either by yourself if you can help it. My little boat winch system cost less than $30 total and has worked better than anything else I have tried. The manual I have from '82 shows a couple on the boat - the guy guiding the mast up and the lady working one of the jib winches. This system is the same idea but instead of going down to the trailer toung you have your rope through a turning block attached to the very front of the toe rail and then routed back to that winch. I've tried this but prefer my method with the winch on the trailer toung. I suppose if you were in the water this would be the prefered method. Before we installed the winch we would have one person on the ground handling the rope attached to the stay to provide support and steady the mast as it came up/down - but most of the weight was on the person on the boat. With the winch you can let it take the weight and you can go slow and careful. Hope that helps. Wes
23 owner here, and I just took mine down
And I don't believe in single handing the job. There's safety in numbers where this is concerned. I cleat the jib halyard, fasten a block to the bar at the very bow of the boat, (in front of the anchor locker) and another pulley at the end of the halyard. So the line gets tied off on the block, goes through the halyard pulley, back to the block at the bow, and from there back through the pulley on the genoa track and to the starboard winch. This gives me a 2:1 purchase and no need of a gin pole contraption. Getting the mast started usually requires a bit of muscle on my part heaving up the first foot or so, and after that I steady and walk it up as the little lady cranks on the winch, pulling the line through the cleat as she goes in case the line slips on the winch. So yeah, it is that easy, but remember the mast is long, heavy and unweildy, but safety precautions can prevent accidents. Like first, never raise or lower that thing while the boat's in the water, always on the trailer. And while I'm doing it I always brace the trailer with bottle jacks and jackstands so the boat doesn't tilt or bounce. On windy days you can also pay out the main halyard and have a third person on the ground hold onto it at a good distance aft of the boat, keeping a moderate tension on the line - this will help keep the mast along the centerline as it goes up, and he can also help counteract any abrupt side to side swings, till it gets near upright and the shrouds take care of the rest.
And I don't believe in single handing the job. There's safety in numbers where this is concerned. I cleat the jib halyard, fasten a block to the bar at the very bow of the boat, (in front of the anchor locker) and another pulley at the end of the halyard. So the line gets tied off on the block, goes through the halyard pulley, back to the block at the bow, and from there back through the pulley on the genoa track and to the starboard winch. This gives me a 2:1 purchase and no need of a gin pole contraption. Getting the mast started usually requires a bit of muscle on my part heaving up the first foot or so, and after that I steady and walk it up as the little lady cranks on the winch, pulling the line through the cleat as she goes in case the line slips on the winch. So yeah, it is that easy, but remember the mast is long, heavy and unweildy, but safety precautions can prevent accidents. Like first, never raise or lower that thing while the boat's in the water, always on the trailer. And while I'm doing it I always brace the trailer with bottle jacks and jackstands so the boat doesn't tilt or bounce. On windy days you can also pay out the main halyard and have a third person on the ground hold onto it at a good distance aft of the boat, keeping a moderate tension on the line - this will help keep the mast along the centerline as it goes up, and he can also help counteract any abrupt side to side swings, till it gets near upright and the shrouds take care of the rest.
I'm with WVR
Absolutely takes two people. I learned the hard way. My program: 1. Back up to a hill. 2. Attach the side forestays, loose. 3. Attach the backstay, loose 5. Walk the mast up halfway. 5. Have second person pull forestay... 6. As you continue to push. 7. Helper pins the forestay, again loose. 8. Tighten all four shrouds accordingly. 9. Seek beer.
Absolutely takes two people. I learned the hard way. My program: 1. Back up to a hill. 2. Attach the side forestays, loose. 3. Attach the backstay, loose 5. Walk the mast up halfway. 5. Have second person pull forestay... 6. As you continue to push. 7. Helper pins the forestay, again loose. 8. Tighten all four shrouds accordingly. 9. Seek beer.
Thanks deadline
Problem is: the mast is up now and no hills in the yard. Beer is good. What is WVR? D
Problem is: the mast is up now and no hills in the yard. Beer is good. What is WVR? D
thanks "andy"
Sounds like the pointers in the manual, I'm feeling better about the whole thing. D
Sounds like the pointers in the manual, I'm feeling better about the whole thing. D
H23 Mast Raising
I had a H23 for several years. Get an Owner's Manual for one of the newer trailerable models and look at a boat if you can. I made a "Gin" pole (like the ones that are provided with the newer models) and "Side Supports" (like the ones that are provided with the newer models). After read and rereading the instructions and making the Gin Pole and Supports, you will be able to do it single-handed (my wife was never any help, some guys have all the luck). See the link below about the H26 gin pole. Bill
I had a H23 for several years. Get an Owner's Manual for one of the newer trailerable models and look at a boat if you can. I made a "Gin" pole (like the ones that are provided with the newer models) and "Side Supports" (like the ones that are provided with the newer models). After read and rereading the instructions and making the Gin Pole and Supports, you will be able to do it single-handed (my wife was never any help, some guys have all the luck). See the link below about the H26 gin pole. Bill
I'm a WVR!
I forgot to mention the beer factor. It's amazing how much that will improve the job! I also learned to leave the trailor connected to the truck. With the mast laying down over the stearn and base pinned in the hing plate you will be supprised how little weight it takes for the trailer toung to pop up and your rudder to go down into the ground. Another tip - you might want to keep a hammer within reach when raising the mast to "help" your second pin in place. Mine's a little cumbersome and that's not a good time to let go of the mast to go search below. You are even smarter if you take a rag with your hammer to protect your gel coat as you whack the pin home. I like the hill idea. Sounds like it would be handy if you had some appropriate sized and placed hills. I haven't found any around here yet. Also, someone mentioned building a crutch if you don't have one. That is a must! I suggest building one tall enough that your goose neck won't dig into the deck or crack a companionway cover - another lesson learned. I wouldn't sweat the job too much. Worry about it just enough that you take all the right precautions and you will be fine. Wes
I forgot to mention the beer factor. It's amazing how much that will improve the job! I also learned to leave the trailor connected to the truck. With the mast laying down over the stearn and base pinned in the hing plate you will be supprised how little weight it takes for the trailer toung to pop up and your rudder to go down into the ground. Another tip - you might want to keep a hammer within reach when raising the mast to "help" your second pin in place. Mine's a little cumbersome and that's not a good time to let go of the mast to go search below. You are even smarter if you take a rag with your hammer to protect your gel coat as you whack the pin home. I like the hill idea. Sounds like it would be handy if you had some appropriate sized and placed hills. I haven't found any around here yet. Also, someone mentioned building a crutch if you don't have one. That is a must! I suggest building one tall enough that your goose neck won't dig into the deck or crack a companionway cover - another lesson learned. I wouldn't sweat the job too much. Worry about it just enough that you take all the right precautions and you will be fine. Wes
be careful
i dropped the mast this weekend,thats droppeed as opposed to lowered ; taking single handing to an absurd extreme, i have a crutch, but at about 60 degrees the mast started twisting to starborad and crashed down to starboard, even with a pole system supposed to hold the mast straight port to starboard, only damage was to windex and the hinge plate which fractured and i am trying this morning to replace. one the mast starts to move there is no stopping it and i am well over 6 feet and over 230 pounds and i have done it before roger davis who is on this forum on occasion has a good system, seemed to be too easy when i watched him lower his mast alone a month ago in the water. two strong reccommendations 1. don;t even think of lowering alone without some one to help guide the mast down and into the crutch 2. be sure no cars boats pedestrians near the stern of the boat, i was lucky , the power boater who pulled out of the ramp and parked at my starboard stern in a huge empty parking lot had just finished and left this was only one of a mumber of disasters sunday which I found out at the last minute was the last day to pull my boat for the season. thought i was just going out for a quick casual sail and had not adequately prepared for hauling. lack of adequate anticipation and planning seems to be the common thread to my disasters.
i dropped the mast this weekend,thats droppeed as opposed to lowered ; taking single handing to an absurd extreme, i have a crutch, but at about 60 degrees the mast started twisting to starborad and crashed down to starboard, even with a pole system supposed to hold the mast straight port to starboard, only damage was to windex and the hinge plate which fractured and i am trying this morning to replace. one the mast starts to move there is no stopping it and i am well over 6 feet and over 230 pounds and i have done it before roger davis who is on this forum on occasion has a good system, seemed to be too easy when i watched him lower his mast alone a month ago in the water. two strong reccommendations 1. don;t even think of lowering alone without some one to help guide the mast down and into the crutch 2. be sure no cars boats pedestrians near the stern of the boat, i was lucky , the power boater who pulled out of the ramp and parked at my starboard stern in a huge empty parking lot had just finished and left this was only one of a mumber of disasters sunday which I found out at the last minute was the last day to pull my boat for the season. thought i was just going out for a quick casual sail and had not adequately prepared for hauling. lack of adequate anticipation and planning seems to be the common thread to my disasters.
thanks Ithica Jim
So where is Roger when we need him and his easy, in the water, singlehanded lowering scheme?? and who knows anything about the ginpole rig allegedly supplied with newer boats?? D
So where is Roger when we need him and his easy, in the water, singlehanded lowering scheme?? and who knows anything about the ginpole rig allegedly supplied with newer boats?? D
I had a gin pole
But it really isn't necessary. a 4:1 tackle (with a LOT of rope)from jib halyard lead to is plenty of power for the H23 mast..use the winch if you really think the tackle isnt enough. On the way up, lead it through a one-way clutch Biggest issue with the gin pole is keeping it centered...if it moves or bends one way or the other even 5 degrees you have a dire situation on hand, where the forces holding the mast UP are also pulling it to the side. The other thing that IS necessary (IMHO) are "baby stays" - wire rope lead from about 8' up on the mast lead to pad eyes or eye hooks inline with the pivot point on the mast step. Want even more power here? rig up some baby-stay spreaders and tension the windward / uphill one a little more. Now that i've seen the new "A-frames" I like them a lot, but harder to store and unlike wire stays that simply get loose, if the mast does get off to the side your A-frame can bend if something goes wrong..then again because the downhill one is helping out, they should be stronger to begin with. I don't know this: if you have a 240 or 260 with the A frame, when the boat is being trailered are you supposed to remove them, or do they fold forward and stay on the mast?
But it really isn't necessary. a 4:1 tackle (with a LOT of rope)from jib halyard lead to is plenty of power for the H23 mast..use the winch if you really think the tackle isnt enough. On the way up, lead it through a one-way clutch Biggest issue with the gin pole is keeping it centered...if it moves or bends one way or the other even 5 degrees you have a dire situation on hand, where the forces holding the mast UP are also pulling it to the side. The other thing that IS necessary (IMHO) are "baby stays" - wire rope lead from about 8' up on the mast lead to pad eyes or eye hooks inline with the pivot point on the mast step. Want even more power here? rig up some baby-stay spreaders and tension the windward / uphill one a little more. Now that i've seen the new "A-frames" I like them a lot, but harder to store and unlike wire stays that simply get loose, if the mast does get off to the side your A-frame can bend if something goes wrong..then again because the downhill one is helping out, they should be stronger to begin with. I don't know this: if you have a 240 or 260 with the A frame, when the boat is being trailered are you supposed to remove them, or do they fold forward and stay on the mast?
Gin Pole
I was fortunate to get my H23 with a Gin Pole and a PO nice enough to give me a quick lesson. The gin pole attaches to the mast with the Jib halyard, which always made me a little nervous ... I usually attach the main halyard and leave a little slack just in case something lets loose. The PO pointed out that the best way to avoid side to side swings of the gin pole is to "get the angle correct". My limited experience is to pull the jib halyard tight enough to bend the gin pole up slightly. Not sure why this works, but it does help significantly. I also have ropes leading sideways from the mast to prevent side to side motion, but they don't do anything until the mast gets to ~30 degrees. I have a 4:1 block with cleat to help pull on the gin pole. I wind up raising/lowering the mast singlehanded quite frequently. If I'm going sailing with wife/kids I prefer that the kids are far away, leaving me alone to raise/lower. There's always a risk of the mast falling so I make sure nothing is in the way. My main problem with singlehand is the time it takes. Everything is done sequentially with periodic stops to make sure there is nothing caught. I'm working on making all hardware quick to attach/release to help out with this. Two people is better. Two strong bodies can raise the mast without any help from ropes, but it's awkward. At the back of the boat you are 1/2 way up the mast, making it feel quite heavy. You need to stand with one foot on each cockpit seat and walk forward as you raise. Then comes the transition to the walking on the cabin top. Be careful not to step through the cabin top plexiglass. I wound up dropping the mast a few feet while lowering in this fashion ... fortunately no damage. I haven't tried using the halyard/forstay without a gin pole, but imagine this could work well. Can anyone give me some tips on what it takes to get the mast to start raising? With the mast flat you have almost no leverage to begin raising (unless someone lifts in back at the same time). Thanks, Geoff
I was fortunate to get my H23 with a Gin Pole and a PO nice enough to give me a quick lesson. The gin pole attaches to the mast with the Jib halyard, which always made me a little nervous ... I usually attach the main halyard and leave a little slack just in case something lets loose. The PO pointed out that the best way to avoid side to side swings of the gin pole is to "get the angle correct". My limited experience is to pull the jib halyard tight enough to bend the gin pole up slightly. Not sure why this works, but it does help significantly. I also have ropes leading sideways from the mast to prevent side to side motion, but they don't do anything until the mast gets to ~30 degrees. I have a 4:1 block with cleat to help pull on the gin pole. I wind up raising/lowering the mast singlehanded quite frequently. If I'm going sailing with wife/kids I prefer that the kids are far away, leaving me alone to raise/lower. There's always a risk of the mast falling so I make sure nothing is in the way. My main problem with singlehand is the time it takes. Everything is done sequentially with periodic stops to make sure there is nothing caught. I'm working on making all hardware quick to attach/release to help out with this. Two people is better. Two strong bodies can raise the mast without any help from ropes, but it's awkward. At the back of the boat you are 1/2 way up the mast, making it feel quite heavy. You need to stand with one foot on each cockpit seat and walk forward as you raise. Then comes the transition to the walking on the cabin top. Be careful not to step through the cabin top plexiglass. I wound up dropping the mast a few feet while lowering in this fashion ... fortunately no damage. I haven't tried using the halyard/forstay without a gin pole, but imagine this could work well. Can anyone give me some tips on what it takes to get the mast to start raising? With the mast flat you have almost no leverage to begin raising (unless someone lifts in back at the same time). Thanks, Geoff
Geoff
When I do it myself, i use the 4"1 tackle lead back to the cockpit. If your mainsheet is long enough, you can clip it to the rod in the anchor locker, and use your shoulder while you take up slack. The cam-cleat prevents the mast from coming down, but I like to run it through the cabintop rope clutch, too. The mast is pretty heavy laying flat, but standing at the very aft end of the boat you have ~ 14 feet of leverage, making it not-that-bad. Just go slow, take up the slack as you go, and rest if you are tired. (alternatively, if it is windy or in the water, resting is more of a last resort option
When I do it myself, i use the 4"1 tackle lead back to the cockpit. If your mainsheet is long enough, you can clip it to the rod in the anchor locker, and use your shoulder while you take up slack. The cam-cleat prevents the mast from coming down, but I like to run it through the cabintop rope clutch, too. The mast is pretty heavy laying flat, but standing at the very aft end of the boat you have ~ 14 feet of leverage, making it not-that-bad. Just go slow, take up the slack as you go, and rest if you are tired. (alternatively, if it is windy or in the water, resting is more of a last resort option
Forestay or Halyard?
Brian, Do you attach the 4:1 to the forestay or jib halyard? Ratings of the jib halyard say I should have no issue, but counting on a rope still makes me nervous. I can't use the forestay with gin pole since I need something adjustable to get the right angle. I'm considering all kinds of things to make mast raising quicker/easier. Electric winch, new mast step, and easier gin pole attachment are all on the table. I bought a few snap shakles so I can remove the lateral supports while sailing ... I'm tired of ducking under. Ideally I'd like to be able to put the boat in for one day without dreading the setup/takedown. BTW ... where do you sail near Philly? I was in school up in Bethlehem but didn't do much sailing before coming out west. In fact I think I only rented twice ... once in the Chesapeake and once on the bay side of long beach island. Not sure where the Delaware becomes sailable (certainly not up by Easton). Cheers, Geoff
Brian, Do you attach the 4:1 to the forestay or jib halyard? Ratings of the jib halyard say I should have no issue, but counting on a rope still makes me nervous. I can't use the forestay with gin pole since I need something adjustable to get the right angle. I'm considering all kinds of things to make mast raising quicker/easier. Electric winch, new mast step, and easier gin pole attachment are all on the table. I bought a few snap shakles so I can remove the lateral supports while sailing ... I'm tired of ducking under. Ideally I'd like to be able to put the boat in for one day without dreading the setup/takedown. BTW ... where do you sail near Philly? I was in school up in Bethlehem but didn't do much sailing before coming out west. In fact I think I only rented twice ... once in the Chesapeake and once on the bay side of long beach island. Not sure where the Delaware becomes sailable (certainly not up by Easton). Cheers, Geoff
Halyard for sure!
Definitly the halyard..I mean..i pull this thing tight to make it easy to clip the forestay in! hard to clip the forestay if it's attached to a 4:1 tackle
Definitly the halyard..I mean..i pull this thing tight to make it easy to clip the forestay in! hard to clip the forestay if it's attached to a 4:1 tackle
hey Brian M
Hey Brian I'm in Bucks Co. and will be sailing out of Cape May. I just got this '23 and need to drop the mast soon to escape the expensive hard yard. thnx for the hints and where do you sail?? Davis
Hey Brian I'm in Bucks Co. and will be sailing out of Cape May. I just got this '23 and need to drop the mast soon to escape the expensive hard yard. thnx for the hints and where do you sail?? Davis
Brian talk more abour "A" frame
Brian where can I see ,learn more, about this tall tubular tabernacle type thing ? D
Brian where can I see ,learn more, about this tall tubular tabernacle type thing ? D
Hey Dave
I'm actually going to school in rochester, ny right now, and brought the boat along with! Lake ontario is great, but it gets cold and the harbors got shallow early this year. From philly, I had sailed in the delware river near bristol (where I bought the boat), farther south near the airport, and also in the chesapeake bay (well, elk river). Look at pictures (or better yet, a boat up close) of a hunter 240 or 260. They have the standard 5 stays (2 lowers, 2 uppers, and a forestay) and 2 tubular "stays" that mount inboard and go up about 6' on the mast. I don't have them, so I don't know that much about them! It seems like a good idea, but a pain if they are in the way. Also, for dropping the mast, You really don't need the tackle, if you have a few people. Clip the jib halyard to the bow and clip a snap shackle to the base of the mast. Lead the tail of the jib through it. Have someone slowly let the jib halyard feed into the mast (use a winch if you want) while someone else guides it down. Note that around 50 degrees from vertical, the person with the halyard has lost most of their mechanical advantage!! for going up, mechanical advantage is really reall really helpful. The mast is almost 30' long, weighs about 120 lbs, and at the worst part (the step up/down to/from the cabin) you are about 6' from the step and theres 24' of mast against you. It's at 45 degrees. that means it feels like it weighs twice as much! I suggest (not) practicing by walking down the steps in your house backwards holding an 80lb sandbag on each shoulder. Once you have that mastered, take them three at a time, and you'll be set to drop the mast by yourself with no special gadgets
I'm actually going to school in rochester, ny right now, and brought the boat along with! Lake ontario is great, but it gets cold and the harbors got shallow early this year. From philly, I had sailed in the delware river near bristol (where I bought the boat), farther south near the airport, and also in the chesapeake bay (well, elk river). Look at pictures (or better yet, a boat up close) of a hunter 240 or 260. They have the standard 5 stays (2 lowers, 2 uppers, and a forestay) and 2 tubular "stays" that mount inboard and go up about 6' on the mast. I don't have them, so I don't know that much about them! It seems like a good idea, but a pain if they are in the way. Also, for dropping the mast, You really don't need the tackle, if you have a few people. Clip the jib halyard to the bow and clip a snap shackle to the base of the mast. Lead the tail of the jib through it. Have someone slowly let the jib halyard feed into the mast (use a winch if you want) while someone else guides it down. Note that around 50 degrees from vertical, the person with the halyard has lost most of their mechanical advantage!! for going up, mechanical advantage is really reall really helpful. The mast is almost 30' long, weighs about 120 lbs, and at the worst part (the step up/down to/from the cabin) you are about 6' from the step and theres 24' of mast against you. It's at 45 degrees. that means it feels like it weighs twice as much! I suggest (not) practicing by walking down the steps in your house backwards holding an 80lb sandbag on each shoulder. Once you have that mastered, take them three at a time, and you'll be set to drop the mast by yourself with no special gadgets
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