Mast maintenance bosin's chair or bring it down

[Darrell]

I need to do repair to the wind vang and mast light. I'm tempted to go aloft in a bosin chair, but I'm concerned that the mast won't hold my weight (180 lbs). I'm thinking of bringing down the mast but I'm not sure how and I'm also worried I won't be able to get it back up correctly. Any suggestions?

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

Big Lever

I would assume - don't know with certainty - that the rig would support your weight but I wouldn't do it. I'd be afraid that your wieght at the end of the mast would dump the boat - its not personal, its physics. Think about how much the boat heels with all your weight right at the the rail. Not that much, but significant, right. That's about two feet above the center of gravity. Top of the mast is at least ten and probably more like 15 times further away from the COG.As long as you stayed centered over the boat it wouldn't matter - but one passing wake could produce a big mess.On a 22 the rig is not that hard to drop - I'd do it that way.Justin - O'day Owners' Web

 

[Darrell]

Thanks.

Thank you.Good point about the lever.I guess the mast would come down one way or the other. I might as well make it intentional!

 

[art mccann]

no chair

i agree with Justin. The bosons chair is out of the question.I dont know what type of mast step you have on your boat but on my 1976 oday 22 its just a matter of removing the boom and lowering the mast.Wait for a calm day and get help from a freind or two. Have them positioned on the same end where the mast will come down.one by the mast and one around the cockpit.Next you loosen the turnbuckle on the forestay and remove it but keep a tight grip on it.Between the guy steadying the mast and you keeping a solid grip on the stay it should be fairly easy to lower it until the person in the cockpit can take it the rest of the way on their own.There's not much weight on a mast of a 22footer.After it's down you'll have to loosen the shrouds a little to be able to slide the mast out of the step and lift it forward till you can work on the masthead.You raise it the same way only in reverse.That doesn't sound too smart does it/.You know what i mean

 

[Rick D]

easy - with help

I own a oday 20 and the mast comes down very easy just make sure you loosen the shrouds enough before lowering.Also , have 2 or 3 guys to help, it'll only take 15 or 20 min.Make sure you have enough clearence( trees ,wires....) because the mast ends up quite a bit aft.