Lowering Mast on a 23'
I purchased a 1972 23' O'Day a few months ago. While the mast was down, I measured it, and it is 24'-2" from the boom to the top of the masthead. With another few feet from the boom to the bottom of the mast, plus the heighth of the boat above water, you're probably not going to make it under a 28' bridge.I've raised and lowered my mast several times lately, unfortunately. It's a lot of work. To start with, I built a "holder" for the mast that attaches where the rudder usually does, because my boat doesn't have anything for the mast to rest on at the rear of the boat once it's lowered. It's high enough to keep the mast from resting on the top of the cabin. This is used to trailer the boat, so having the rudder off is not a problem. It would be if you were still having to steer the boat under a bridge, so maybe you can come up with something else.The bolt through the base of the mast is closer to the rear of the mast, so lowering toward the stern seemed more appropriate. I leave the bolt in the bottom of the mast, and I loosen but do not remove the turnbuckles for the back two sidestays on each side. I do remove the front turnbuckles on each side. I leave the backstay in place but I do loosen it a bit. I attach a pulley to the flange below the headstay attachment point. With someone pushing forward on the mast, I release the headstay, and attach a rope through the pulley to the headstay. With the rope aroung the winch on the mast, I lower the mast slowly until it rests in the "holder". I raise it back up the same way. I always have someone help me keep everything steady while raising it or lowering it.Hope this gives you some ideas. Good luck!