Mast Lowering

[Edwin McDivitt]

I've got an '88 Hunter 23 I've had in the water for a few years now and I'm wanting to trailer home for the winter months this year. One of the reasons it has stayed in the slip is the difficulty of the task to raise and lower the mast. Usually there is only two of us - not an easy job.Have any of you had any success stories or suggestions on making mast lowering and raising any easier?Thanks!E.

 

[R. L. Wheeler]

Check Archives

I have seen notes on this previously on this site. Check the archives.I use a block attached to the cable where the forestay usually attaches, run a line from your winch through the block and attach to the forestay. Loosen the shrouds slightly and let the mast down using the winch friction to control the speed of the mast lowering. If you are not in wind or waves, the mast should lower very easily. Once you get the mast lowered to a point where you can physcially lower it by hand, you can place it in the cradle and unpin.Two people can handle this easily. With enough wraps on the winch, a small woman can easily control the mast.

 

[Steve Lucas]

I also have an 88 H23 and had some fun raising and lowering the mast. I bought the boat in april from a broker who wanted to charge me $80 to lower the mast. I felt this is a normal operation for a trailerable boat and I should be able to do it myself. With the help of the forum and my 62 year old father we were successful. Their are a few variations on raising and lowering out there but this is the one we used. First, I loosen all the standing rigging. Next, attach a line to the foestay(still attached), run it through a block secured in the anchor locker, and back to a winch. Now the fun begins! If the boat is stable ( on trailer) and the wind is light, two people can handle it. If not, three people (two at the mast(stronger) and one on the winch(weaker)) can do it safely. Let the winch person stand on the cabin top to steady the mast and push it forward to loosen the forestay. Disconnect the forestay from the anchor locker. Make sure the line is secure. Switch places at the mast and have the winch person get tension on the line. The mast will come down easily until it reaches about a 30 degree angle. At this point you should be able to reach the mast from the cockpit seats. The winch sort of loses its mechanical advantage at this point. Lower it into the craddle, pull the pin (holding some down pressure on the mast) and walk the base of the mast forward. Simple right!?We have successfully rasied and lowered the mast three times with this technique. I keep the boat in the water so I will only have to do it twice a year.I have heard of a MacGreggor mast stepping system that can be mounted to the H23 which uses a separate set of side shrouds and a gin pole. This system should add safety and simplifiy the process.SteveS/V SALT SHAKER

 

[Larry]

That's right

The previous two responses have it right. I've never needed more than two people. If there is any wind point the bow into the wind if possible. Make sure the ctrutch is setup and that the block is attached tight. (once the block let loose on me in the middle of the operation VERY Scary)

 

[Chris]

One person can do it

As y'all may have seen before in my previous post, if you modify the set up, one person can do it, with or without a cross wind. Maybe I need to write this up and post it permanently somewhere on this site? If anyone is interested, I can try to dig out the info on this....Let me know,ckluczkowski@ato.com

 

[Steve Lucas]

One Man Modification

Chris,I would be very interested in the "one man" mast raise/lower info. Please reply.Steve