Does anyone have a method to raise the mast on a Catalina 22 single-handed? I've tried some different ways but always have problems with shrouds tangling on something.
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Catalina 22 website
Try the C22 Association Website. Sorry, my bookmarks are all screwy & don't have it offhand but should be easy to find. LaDonna
Try the C22 Association Website. Sorry, my bookmarks are all screwy & don't have it offhand but should be easy to find. LaDonna
Getting It Up Yourself
Take LaDonna's advice and check out the Catalina 22 website. One thing you that will help out is a "Mast Up" from Catalina Direct. This is great even when you have two people. One thing to keep in mind when you raise a mast single handed is to not put too much stress on the mast step. There will be several different methods on the web site to raise the mast single handed. (I've tried them) However if you do not have the boat sitting perfectly level and you have to cleat your lines off to free the lines that always catch on something the the mast will swing to one side. The stays will keep it from swinging too far but you will still put a lot of stress on the mast step. Try to avoid this and take a friend.
Take LaDonna's advice and check out the Catalina 22 website. One thing you that will help out is a "Mast Up" from Catalina Direct. This is great even when you have two people. One thing to keep in mind when you raise a mast single handed is to not put too much stress on the mast step. There will be several different methods on the web site to raise the mast single handed. (I've tried them) However if you do not have the boat sitting perfectly level and you have to cleat your lines off to free the lines that always catch on something the the mast will swing to one side. The stays will keep it from swinging too far but you will still put a lot of stress on the mast step. Try to avoid this and take a friend.
Single Handed Mast system
check out http://sites.netscape.net/tedsailingpage/home.html...this guy has two different methods and both work well
check out http://sites.netscape.net/tedsailingpage/home.html...this guy has two different methods and both work well
I've done it a few times
I almost always raise and lower the mast on my C22 by myself. I agree that the worst problem is that the stays tend to get caught on various fixtures (usually the winches on my boat). One tip I have seen but not yet tried is to use masking tape to organize the stays prior to raising the mast (the idea is that the tape will tear when as the mast goes up). I have also heard of folks using the mainsheet block & tackle to extend the jib halyard so that they can essentiALLY pull the mast up, but this seems to me like it would put a lot of stress on the maststep. The other OBVIOUS problem is keeping the mast up. I just tie off one end of the jib halyard to a bow cleat and pulpit, then when the mast is vertical, tighten the halyard and tie the other end to a cleat on the mast. Also, make sure your hatchboards are in and that you stand as far back on the sliding hatch as possible. I find getting the mast up easier than on my old boat, a Potter 19 due to better leverage. Of course a mast raising system would be better, but I wonder if it is overkill and a waste of time. Dave Bolton Denver, CO davebolton@yahoo.com
I almost always raise and lower the mast on my C22 by myself. I agree that the worst problem is that the stays tend to get caught on various fixtures (usually the winches on my boat). One tip I have seen but not yet tried is to use masking tape to organize the stays prior to raising the mast (the idea is that the tape will tear when as the mast goes up). I have also heard of folks using the mainsheet block & tackle to extend the jib halyard so that they can essentiALLY pull the mast up, but this seems to me like it would put a lot of stress on the maststep. The other OBVIOUS problem is keeping the mast up. I just tie off one end of the jib halyard to a bow cleat and pulpit, then when the mast is vertical, tighten the halyard and tie the other end to a cleat on the mast. Also, make sure your hatchboards are in and that you stand as far back on the sliding hatch as possible. I find getting the mast up easier than on my old boat, a Potter 19 due to better leverage. Of course a mast raising system would be better, but I wonder if it is overkill and a waste of time. Dave Bolton Denver, CO davebolton@yahoo.com
mast raising system
After reading Dave Bolton's reply I thought I'd throw my 2 cents worth in. I personally don't know what I would do without my mast raising system. Well yes I do know but I'd probably have a hernia doing it. I ordered my system with my new Mark ll, but I see no reason at all why it couldn't work just as well for older Cats as well. If not purchased from the factory then one made off the design of a block and tackle assembled with 3/8 line or in my case using the main sheet line. As far as putting alot of stress on the deckplate I wouldn't be too concerned about that as much as getting the mast to raise properly and allowing just one person to attach the forestay to it's fitting and without fouling up the shrouds or side stays. I would think that the mast step is made to take more of a loading then just the weight of the mast itself. Remember you are loading plenty more onto it everytime you raise your main and fill it with wind. Now I raise mine with the jib furler attached ( added weight) which does not hurt it one bit. If I didn't have a mast raising system I would definetly be inventing one for use. I have even seen some of the more exotic inventions attached to the trailer itself or the towing vehicle with a handcrank( much like the winch on the trailer) on the tailgate of a truck and it seems to work quite well. Well I hope this helps , if you would like some basic drawing designs for making your own let me know, and I'll be glad to email you what I would use had I not purchased one for my " Nature's Cradle" Happy Sailing
Dave LaPere
After reading Dave Bolton's reply I thought I'd throw my 2 cents worth in. I personally don't know what I would do without my mast raising system. Well yes I do know but I'd probably have a hernia doing it. I ordered my system with my new Mark ll, but I see no reason at all why it couldn't work just as well for older Cats as well. If not purchased from the factory then one made off the design of a block and tackle assembled with 3/8 line or in my case using the main sheet line. As far as putting alot of stress on the deckplate I wouldn't be too concerned about that as much as getting the mast to raise properly and allowing just one person to attach the forestay to it's fitting and without fouling up the shrouds or side stays. I would think that the mast step is made to take more of a loading then just the weight of the mast itself. Remember you are loading plenty more onto it everytime you raise your main and fill it with wind. Now I raise mine with the jib furler attached ( added weight) which does not hurt it one bit. If I didn't have a mast raising system I would definetly be inventing one for use. I have even seen some of the more exotic inventions attached to the trailer itself or the towing vehicle with a handcrank( much like the winch on the trailer) on the tailgate of a truck and it seems to work quite well. Well I hope this helps , if you would like some basic drawing designs for making your own let me know, and I'll be glad to email you what I would use had I not purchased one for my " Nature's Cradle" Happy Sailing
Dave LaPere- Status