Just Got a 26D w/ Roller Furler. The Mast raising system is definitely not meant for this configuration, not to mention the hassle of trying to step the mast w/ the Roller Furler dragging around. It has taken us 1/2 hour just to get the mast attached to the deck, let alone raise it, and that's w/ three people. Is there a way to go back to the original Jib w/ forstay after having a roller furler installed, or will this get easier. Suggestions Please.
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26X Solution
I can only tell you what we do with the 26X to relieve the weight of the roller furler from the mast raising kit. Once the mast is pinned on the hinge, I wrap the furling line around the top of the drum and tie it, then run it to a pin (a bolt will do) placed in the bracket on the pulpit that usually holds the mast when trailering. Then I lead the furling line back to the cockpit and wrap it around the port side winch and cam cleat it. This pulls the furler up off the deck and most of the mast. The line from the mast raising kit is led to the starboard winch. As I winch up the mast, I continually pull in the furling line until the furler is at the pulpit. Then I winch the mast raising kit all the way (it's easier at this point), and cleat it to the starboard stern cleat. Never trust a cam cleat with your life. The mast raising kit can put enough tension on the mast that I can comfortably pin the forestay (but I do have an adjustable backstay that can relieve that tension). Once that's done, I remove the pin from the pulpit and untie the furling line from around the drum, so it's as you'd normally sail with it. Hope this helps, -- Moe
I can only tell you what we do with the 26X to relieve the weight of the roller furler from the mast raising kit. Once the mast is pinned on the hinge, I wrap the furling line around the top of the drum and tie it, then run it to a pin (a bolt will do) placed in the bracket on the pulpit that usually holds the mast when trailering. Then I lead the furling line back to the cockpit and wrap it around the port side winch and cam cleat it. This pulls the furler up off the deck and most of the mast. The line from the mast raising kit is led to the starboard winch. As I winch up the mast, I continually pull in the furling line until the furler is at the pulpit. Then I winch the mast raising kit all the way (it's easier at this point), and cleat it to the starboard stern cleat. Never trust a cam cleat with your life. The mast raising kit can put enough tension on the mast that I can comfortably pin the forestay (but I do have an adjustable backstay that can relieve that tension). Once that's done, I remove the pin from the pulpit and untie the furling line from around the drum, so it's as you'd normally sail with it. Hope this helps, -- Moe
Thanks for your imput.
That will definetely help in raising the mast! I still have a problem getting the mast pinned. The roller furler's weight at one side of the mast as it hangs to the side and cocks the mast and just the mass and tangle of lines that seem to get caught on something are a hassle and after thirty minutes or more we at least have the mast pinned. After busted knuckles and a desire to curse in front of the kids--no action taken there-- I am about ready to say, "It's not worth it." Thanks so much for the imput on the raising portion, I can definitely use that! Eric
That will definetely help in raising the mast! I still have a problem getting the mast pinned. The roller furler's weight at one side of the mast as it hangs to the side and cocks the mast and just the mass and tangle of lines that seem to get caught on something are a hassle and after thirty minutes or more we at least have the mast pinned. After busted knuckles and a desire to curse in front of the kids--no action taken there-- I am about ready to say, "It's not worth it." Thanks so much for the imput on the raising portion, I can definitely use that! Eric
The Harbor Freight Tools solution
I too am a fairly new Mac 26 owner, a 1993 26S to be exact. There are Macgregor owners out there who (so they say) simply pin the foot of the mast, stand on the pop-top, and lift the mast into place. I'm big and strong, but that stunt is well beyond my abilities, not to mention sure death for my roller furling foil. I chose to use the gin pole and tackle system that came with the boat. My first attempt (while on trailer) nearly did me in, largely because of your problem: I couldn't control the furled headsail and furling drum while I was paying attention to the more important task of mast raising. I also had a little difficulty doing all that winching without bering in the cockpit where I couldn't do anything with the furling system. In any case, I simply needed a better way to rig up if I was going to enjoy sailing the boat. I was poking through a Harbor Freight Tools catalog one evening when a small, 2000 lb. 12VDC winch for only $50 grabbed my attention. It only weighs 16 pounds and has planetary gear reduction, a free-wheeling clutch, 3/16" cable, and a remote raise/lower controller. I figured for fifty bucks I could easily take a chance on whether or not I could adapt it to the mast raising job. I mounted it on three through-deck 5/16" bolts just abaft the strap eye for the Macgregor hoisting system. I tried it out for the first time this morning with great success. It pulled the mast up smoothly without even breathing hard! I stood beside the port bow with the controller in one hand, and tugged the roller furling drum forward with the other as the mast went up. Every so often, I'd stop and walk around the boat to make sure none of the stays had fouled. The winch easily pulled the gin pole down far enough for me to fasten my forestay. A touch on the "Lower" button, and the cable was slack enough to detach. I'm hoping it is clear enough of my headsail's foot that I can keep it in place. If so, I plan to make a padded cover out of coated pack cloth, replace the cable with stainless 7 x 19, and install a power outlet for the controller right near the winch. This will sound like overkill to a lot of purists, but it makes sense to me. When I asked the boat's 65 year-old former owner why he was selling the boat, he told me that he and his wife were too pooped after rigging up to do any sailing. I'm nearly his age and have the same problem. So I am adding every device I can think of to make rigging and sailing convenient. The power winch is the best so far. I plan to submit pictures of the finished installation to macgregorsailors.com in the near future.
I too am a fairly new Mac 26 owner, a 1993 26S to be exact. There are Macgregor owners out there who (so they say) simply pin the foot of the mast, stand on the pop-top, and lift the mast into place. I'm big and strong, but that stunt is well beyond my abilities, not to mention sure death for my roller furling foil. I chose to use the gin pole and tackle system that came with the boat. My first attempt (while on trailer) nearly did me in, largely because of your problem: I couldn't control the furled headsail and furling drum while I was paying attention to the more important task of mast raising. I also had a little difficulty doing all that winching without bering in the cockpit where I couldn't do anything with the furling system. In any case, I simply needed a better way to rig up if I was going to enjoy sailing the boat. I was poking through a Harbor Freight Tools catalog one evening when a small, 2000 lb. 12VDC winch for only $50 grabbed my attention. It only weighs 16 pounds and has planetary gear reduction, a free-wheeling clutch, 3/16" cable, and a remote raise/lower controller. I figured for fifty bucks I could easily take a chance on whether or not I could adapt it to the mast raising job. I mounted it on three through-deck 5/16" bolts just abaft the strap eye for the Macgregor hoisting system. I tried it out for the first time this morning with great success. It pulled the mast up smoothly without even breathing hard! I stood beside the port bow with the controller in one hand, and tugged the roller furling drum forward with the other as the mast went up. Every so often, I'd stop and walk around the boat to make sure none of the stays had fouled. The winch easily pulled the gin pole down far enough for me to fasten my forestay. A touch on the "Lower" button, and the cable was slack enough to detach. I'm hoping it is clear enough of my headsail's foot that I can keep it in place. If so, I plan to make a padded cover out of coated pack cloth, replace the cable with stainless 7 x 19, and install a power outlet for the controller right near the winch. This will sound like overkill to a lot of purists, but it makes sense to me. When I asked the boat's 65 year-old former owner why he was selling the boat, he told me that he and his wife were too pooped after rigging up to do any sailing. I'm nearly his age and have the same problem. So I am adding every device I can think of to make rigging and sailing convenient. The power winch is the best so far. I plan to submit pictures of the finished installation to macgregorsailors.com in the near future.
mast raising
The winch style kit from Macgregor allows you to stand on deck for mast raising. This makes it much easier to tend to the furler. As for pinning the mast base make sure the slide hatch is closed and that the rear (top) of the mast is high enough so that there is clearance between the hatch and mast base.
The winch style kit from Macgregor allows you to stand on deck for mast raising. This makes it much easier to tend to the furler. As for pinning the mast base make sure the slide hatch is closed and that the rear (top) of the mast is high enough so that there is clearance between the hatch and mast base.
Straddle it...
As shown in Jeff Stagg's Easy Rigger video for the 26X, to pin the mast, I straddle the mast and crouch down with it between my butt cheeks. My wife pulls down on the spreader opposite the side the roller furler is laying on to level the mast base and line up both holes. Instead of a bolt, we're now using a tapered end pin, part number DH 2150P here: http://www.dwyermast.com/items.asp?cat1ID=40&cat1Name=Hardware&familyID=18&familyName=Hinges We actually use three of them when raising. One for the mast, one for the mast raising pole, and one on the bow pulpit for the furler line to wrap around. When trailering, one of them is used to hold the mast to the support. Without threads to catch, and with the tapered end, they pin a lot easier than a bolt. They also eliminate having to carry wrenches around. I don't know if they'd fit the 26D. In his video, Jeff shows raising the mast by hand several times. But he's a big guy in good physical condition, and doesn't have a roller furler. I don't think I could do what he does even without one. Hope this helps, -- Moe
As shown in Jeff Stagg's Easy Rigger video for the 26X, to pin the mast, I straddle the mast and crouch down with it between my butt cheeks. My wife pulls down on the spreader opposite the side the roller furler is laying on to level the mast base and line up both holes. Instead of a bolt, we're now using a tapered end pin, part number DH 2150P here: http://www.dwyermast.com/items.asp?cat1ID=40&cat1Name=Hardware&familyID=18&familyName=Hinges We actually use three of them when raising. One for the mast, one for the mast raising pole, and one on the bow pulpit for the furler line to wrap around. When trailering, one of them is used to hold the mast to the support. Without threads to catch, and with the tapered end, they pin a lot easier than a bolt. They also eliminate having to carry wrenches around. I don't know if they'd fit the 26D. In his video, Jeff shows raising the mast by hand several times. But he's a big guy in good physical condition, and doesn't have a roller furler. I don't think I could do what he does even without one. Hope this helps, -- Moe
I added a winch to the trailer
I added (the old) winch to the trailer, put a pully( from ACE) in where the mast bolts to the bow pulpit for travel, another in the pad eye where the other system would hook into, up to the mast raising pole. Put the baby stays in make sure they are nice and tight. Release the back stay adjustment make sure its loose. Then either I or someone else, gently and so easilly cranks on the winch and I either get up every now and again or if I have help, stay on the boat and make sure nothing catches. If the back stay is loose then there is no problem putting the pin in on the roller furler. A big stress reliever with the Admiral. I've raised it by hand but holding it and trying to direct the Admiral on what to do and where its caught is no fun at all.
I added (the old) winch to the trailer, put a pully( from ACE) in where the mast bolts to the bow pulpit for travel, another in the pad eye where the other system would hook into, up to the mast raising pole. Put the baby stays in make sure they are nice and tight. Release the back stay adjustment make sure its loose. Then either I or someone else, gently and so easilly cranks on the winch and I either get up every now and again or if I have help, stay on the boat and make sure nothing catches. If the back stay is loose then there is no problem putting the pin in on the roller furler. A big stress reliever with the Admiral. I've raised it by hand but holding it and trying to direct the Admiral on what to do and where its caught is no fun at all.
Raising without a trailer...
It's a lot cooler raising the mast at anchor on the water, if it's calm enough to do so. Plus I like having the option of lowering and raising the mast for bridges, so we've avoided making the trailer a necessary part of the process. Different strokes...
It's a lot cooler raising the mast at anchor on the water, if it's calm enough to do so. Plus I like having the option of lowering and raising the mast for bridges, so we've avoided making the trailer a necessary part of the process. Different strokes...
Somethings wrong here
Sounds like something's wrong here. 1/2 hour sounds about right. Could take an hour but then you should be ready to launch. You didn't say if your furler were solid or flexible. I bought the CDI flex furler which makes it a lot easier. I leave the sail off until the mast is up then load the furler. I just keep the furler out to the side, have a person hold it off the rails until it's time to fasten it. I don't like muscling the mast, too much to lose if you have a slip or fall. I do like the mast raising winch on the trailer but the mast raising system from Mac works pretty well on the boat or on the trailer. BAck up and run this thing through your head. I take my mast down to the rear and stow it that way. I have a roller on my mast holder so I can one-handed push the mast back and pin to the mast step plate. If I choose to use the baby stays I attach them and the gin pole and we're almost done. I do this by myself all the time. Three people should make it very easy. Good luck. Steve
Sounds like something's wrong here. 1/2 hour sounds about right. Could take an hour but then you should be ready to launch. You didn't say if your furler were solid or flexible. I bought the CDI flex furler which makes it a lot easier. I leave the sail off until the mast is up then load the furler. I just keep the furler out to the side, have a person hold it off the rails until it's time to fasten it. I don't like muscling the mast, too much to lose if you have a slip or fall. I do like the mast raising winch on the trailer but the mast raising system from Mac works pretty well on the boat or on the trailer. BAck up and run this thing through your head. I take my mast down to the rear and stow it that way. I have a roller on my mast holder so I can one-handed push the mast back and pin to the mast step plate. If I choose to use the baby stays I attach them and the gin pole and we're almost done. I do this by myself all the time. Three people should make it very easy. Good luck. Steve
Another thing...
This past weekend, for some reason, I couldn't get the mast base forward enough to pin it. I discovered my wife was trying to help by holding the mast on the support in the cockpit. Once she let go of it, no problem. All I need her to do is pull down on the spreader opposite the one the furler is resting on once I have the side with the furler pinned. Her downward pull lines up the other side and I can finish pushing the pin all the way through.
This past weekend, for some reason, I couldn't get the mast base forward enough to pin it. I discovered my wife was trying to help by holding the mast on the support in the cockpit. Once she let go of it, no problem. All I need her to do is pull down on the spreader opposite the one the furler is resting on once I have the side with the furler pinned. Her downward pull lines up the other side and I can finish pushing the pin all the way through.
Mast raising kits?
I've read a lot about these mast raising kits and gin poles but I can't locate one. Can someone post a link as to where to shop for one that's right for my 25. Thanks. I do have an extra winch on my trailer but I don't see where the strap attaches to the mast for lifting. ?? yeah, I'm blonde, so what.
I've read a lot about these mast raising kits and gin poles but I can't locate one. Can someone post a link as to where to shop for one that's right for my 25. Thanks. I do have an extra winch on my trailer but I don't see where the strap attaches to the mast for lifting. ?? yeah, I'm blonde, so what.
mast raising kit
I got mine at Blue Water Yachts. Nice folks that know their stuff when it comes to MacGregors.
I got mine at Blue Water Yachts. Nice folks that know their stuff when it comes to MacGregors.
it's doable
It does get easier. The kit from BWY comes with the bail for the mast and brackets for the stays on the mast and deck. I use mine with the furler. I don't recommend hoisting the mast without the kit. Keep the furler, you'll learn to appreciate it!
It does get easier. The kit from BWY comes with the bail for the mast and brackets for the stays on the mast and deck. I use mine with the furler. I don't recommend hoisting the mast without the kit. Keep the furler, you'll learn to appreciate it!
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