Mast raising information

[WindRose]

I need help finding information on raising and lowering the mast on my Hunter 22. Does anyone know of an article, or other source, on rigging a system to raise or lower the mast.

 

[Bill O'Donovan]

Try this, in sequence

1. Back the trailer up against a hill.2. Attach the shrouds on both sides, loosely.2. Attach the backstay, loosely.3. Pin the base of the mast, securely.4. Snag a passerby and give him the forestay.5. Raise the mast as he pulls forward.6. Once he's pinned the forestay, tighten all 4.7. Do not try this alone, trust me. You can do it all in 20-30 minutes.

 

[Benny]

Muscle and know how does it!

1) Do not loosen shrouds as they will guide as how far you can take the mast back horizontally. Also that way they will be already properly tensioned and you will be avoiding an unnessesary step. The same with the backstay. If you install a quick release shroud lever in the forestay you can have all your rigging pre-tensioned and when you raise the mast just attach the quick release, close it and install the locking pin. Quick Perfect rig everytime. I use the following steps:We step the mast with the boat on the trailer as it is easier than in the water.1) Find a staging are by your ramp and make sure there are no aerial obstructions specially power lines between the boat and the water.2) When you push back the base of the mast to pin it to the tabernacle it is convenient to have some sort of support to hold the back end. The Back pulpit is usually to low. I use a support made out of 3 pieces of PVC which can be quickly assembled in place and tied to the stern pulpit. A 2nd person when available can do the job of the support bar as well as help lift. I have seen supports that attach to the trailer and even people using step ladders to stand behind the boat.2) At this time run the forestay to one side of the boat over the lifelines and place the pin of the quick release by the bow deck fitting. Insure that shrouds and backstay are not tangled and will not catch or snag on any place as you rasie the mast.3) If you try to raise the mast when it is horizontal near its base you will need the strength of a Gorilla to do so, but if you gain leaverage you can easily do it by yoursel. Once the base is pinned to the tabernacle go to the boats transom and pick up the mast from its support and raise it overhead. Now you are going to try to do the lifting in one uninterrupted motion. Utilize momemtum to steady the mast. While keeping the mast overhead start walking forward and continue to push the mast up. Becasue the mast is no longer on a horizontal position it will not be as heavy. The reason for a fluid motion is that at the begining of the lift it is vulnerable to swing sideways but as soon as you get it to a 45 degree angle your shrouds will hold any lateral movement and guide it up to the center. As the mast approaches its verical position it gets lighter and lighter. A second person can help with the lifting and really make it easy. If something snags, just walk it back set it on the support resolve and start again.4) Once the mast is vertical just hold it up while the second person connects the forestay by bringing it over the lifelines and securing to the deck fitting. If you are doing it solo you need to rig a block to the bow deck fitting and thread a halyard leading back to the mast base. When you step the mast tighten and secure the halyard so it will act as a temporary forestay.It just takes to do it once and then with a little practice it i'll become second nature. I can pull our starwind 223 to the staging area, have the boat rigged in 15 minutes and be in the water by 20 without hardly breaking a sweat. If you have a helper the first couple of times I assure you'll get the hang of it. Good luck.

 

[WindRose]

Thanks for the response

Thank you for your responses, but my wife and I are in our 60's. I was looking for ideas for machanical help with the raising of the mast.