I WOULD LIKE TO BUY OR FABRICATE A MAST RAISING SYTEM TO MY MAC 25, 1984. I'VE CONTACTED PARTS AT MAC GREGOR AND THEY'RE ALMOST USELESS. CAN ANYONE REFERENCE AN ARTICLE WHICH CAN HELP? THANKS, JERRY
MAST RAISING SYSTEM
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archives again
Visit the archives and search on "mast raising". Filter on the Mac 25 and you will find several posts. And stop shouting
Visit the archives and search on "mast raising". Filter on the Mac 25 and you will find several posts. And stop shouting
Shouting
Jery, FYI, Caps lock in e-mail or forum posting means SHOUTING. BTW, Macgregor has a mast raisting system that's quite universal. It isn't hard to make one either. It is basically a 2" x 5'0" aluminium pole with two eyes on one end and a way to attach to the mast or mast base. The jib halyard hook up to the end of the pole and secure to the mast. The other side has a block system to hook to the fore deck and pull the mast up with your winch. There is a video (about $10) from Macgregor or any dealer that show you how this work. In my area, buying the kit from MacGregor is cheaper than I can source the components.
Jery, FYI, Caps lock in e-mail or forum posting means SHOUTING. BTW, Macgregor has a mast raisting system that's quite universal. It isn't hard to make one either. It is basically a 2" x 5'0" aluminium pole with two eyes on one end and a way to attach to the mast or mast base. The jib halyard hook up to the end of the pole and secure to the mast. The other side has a block system to hook to the fore deck and pull the mast up with your winch. There is a video (about $10) from Macgregor or any dealer that show you how this work. In my area, buying the kit from MacGregor is cheaper than I can source the components.
Ask for Bill
Jerry, Try MacGregor again and ask for Bill. He was a great help when I bought my kit a couple of years ago. I told him I needed a kit to fit on a '85 M25 and he hooked me up with everything I needed. What you will get is actually a kit for a 26 but it works fine. You will also need to swap to a hinged mast step as well. You can line up your old one, base to base, with the new and drill new holes in the mount and not in the boat. -John
Jerry, Try MacGregor again and ask for Bill. He was a great help when I bought my kit a couple of years ago. I told him I needed a kit to fit on a '85 M25 and he hooked me up with everything I needed. What you will get is actually a kit for a 26 but it works fine. You will also need to swap to a hinged mast step as well. You can line up your old one, base to base, with the new and drill new holes in the mount and not in the boat. -John
Blue Water Yachts
I bought one from Blue Water Yachts this year after futzing with my own versions. It's quite simple to install and very useful. Well worth the money.
I bought one from Blue Water Yachts this year after futzing with my own versions. It's quite simple to install and very useful. Well worth the money.
cheapest mast raising system ever...
Hey, All. Just last night installed my mast raising "system"...Alex from above is right...all it is is a pole(attached to a mast base with 2 eyes on the other end, baby stays (mainly for safety), block and tackle (which is the same thing as your boom vang or mainsheet) and mast crutch...(usefull, but not really needed if you have a searn railing). Will post pix on my website tonight ( http://Mac22.valentina.googlepages.com ) Total cost of my raising system: 1)Aluminum pole 1.75 i nx 6 ft (bought at Menards "concrete leveler extension") $15.99 2)Bracket to attach to mast base $12. ( Got a nice 316 polished stainless achor lock stopper and used as a bracket. That Menards pole fits inside like it was made for it. Boucht it at www.marinepartdepot.com 3)Two stainless eye bolts $5 each at west marine (do not have to use those at all, I just used because I already had them and they look nice) Mast crutch consists of 3 pieces: Roller (BassPro shop $6.99. 1" conduit pole (Menards $5 pole and bracket Home made strap of alluminum. Total cost of crutch rounded up to $20. Since I use my mainsheet block/tackle setup, it will not bereflected in the total cost. So...Grand TOTAL (rounded) is $58. ...I can put a mast up SAFE and singlehanded!.....for $58...I say:"not bad". Look for pix on my website...I'll post them tonight or tomorrow. Have to clean a carberator on my outboard before taking up the big waters of the beautiful lake Michigan... Happy mast raising, V
Hey, All. Just last night installed my mast raising "system"...Alex from above is right...all it is is a pole(attached to a mast base with 2 eyes on the other end, baby stays (mainly for safety), block and tackle (which is the same thing as your boom vang or mainsheet) and mast crutch...(usefull, but not really needed if you have a searn railing). Will post pix on my website tonight ( http://Mac22.valentina.googlepages.com ) Total cost of my raising system: 1)Aluminum pole 1.75 i nx 6 ft (bought at Menards "concrete leveler extension") $15.99 2)Bracket to attach to mast base $12. ( Got a nice 316 polished stainless achor lock stopper and used as a bracket. That Menards pole fits inside like it was made for it. Boucht it at www.marinepartdepot.com 3)Two stainless eye bolts $5 each at west marine (do not have to use those at all, I just used because I already had them and they look nice) Mast crutch consists of 3 pieces: Roller (BassPro shop $6.99. 1" conduit pole (Menards $5 pole and bracket Home made strap of alluminum. Total cost of crutch rounded up to $20. Since I use my mainsheet block/tackle setup, it will not bereflected in the total cost. So...Grand TOTAL (rounded) is $58. ...I can put a mast up SAFE and singlehanded!.....for $58...I say:"not bad". Look for pix on my website...I'll post them tonight or tomorrow. Have to clean a carberator on my outboard before taking up the big waters of the beautiful lake Michigan... Happy mast raising, V
Valentina's system
V, I am hoping to fabricate a mast-raising system for my '71 V224. Alas, I am mechanically challenged. I have read the posts carefully and looked at all the pics I can find, but I do not understand how these parts are used to raise the mast. Any chance of getting more details? BTW, it appears to me that you did not have to convert the mast step to hinged on Valentina? Thanks much!
V, I am hoping to fabricate a mast-raising system for my '71 V224. Alas, I am mechanically challenged. I have read the posts carefully and looked at all the pics I can find, but I do not understand how these parts are used to raise the mast. Any chance of getting more details? BTW, it appears to me that you did not have to convert the mast step to hinged on Valentina? Thanks much!
Here's the principle
The basic concept is to use a winch or block and tackle system connected to your forestay or jib halyard to pull the mast up. The purpose of the gin pole is to give added leverage. Think of the gin pole like a support on a cable-suspended bridge. I didn't get it until I helped a frend un-step his mast on an H-260 last fall. The idea with the "gin pole" is to mount it perpendicular to the mast near the base. You use a pair of eye-bolts, or a small length of cable with ends fed through a hole at the end of the pole. You connect your jib halyard and tie it off to a mast cleat at the other end (I've heard some people connect their forestay) to the eye facing the top of the mast and your block and tackle or winch system to the lower eye. You should have some semblance of a triangle at that point. Either winch the mast up into place, or if you are using a b/t set-up, pull it up. One of the simplest systems I've seen was a 2 X 4 someone notched with a jig saw to fit the contour of the front of his mast. He then used a ratcheting tie-down to secure it to the mast by feeding the tie down around the perimeter of the 2 x 4 and around the back of the mast. I believe this was on an 18' boat, and not sure how well it'd work on a heavier mast. Google is a great tool, type in "mast raising system" and you will see all sorts of photos and ideas out there. Also hit any of the various trailer sailor groups on the internet. Only reason I have not fabricated one to date is I've been at my marina long enough, I can count on at least two people to help me step or un-step my mast when the time comes.
The basic concept is to use a winch or block and tackle system connected to your forestay or jib halyard to pull the mast up. The purpose of the gin pole is to give added leverage. Think of the gin pole like a support on a cable-suspended bridge. I didn't get it until I helped a frend un-step his mast on an H-260 last fall. The idea with the "gin pole" is to mount it perpendicular to the mast near the base. You use a pair of eye-bolts, or a small length of cable with ends fed through a hole at the end of the pole. You connect your jib halyard and tie it off to a mast cleat at the other end (I've heard some people connect their forestay) to the eye facing the top of the mast and your block and tackle or winch system to the lower eye. You should have some semblance of a triangle at that point. Either winch the mast up into place, or if you are using a b/t set-up, pull it up. One of the simplest systems I've seen was a 2 X 4 someone notched with a jig saw to fit the contour of the front of his mast. He then used a ratcheting tie-down to secure it to the mast by feeding the tie down around the perimeter of the 2 x 4 and around the back of the mast. I believe this was on an 18' boat, and not sure how well it'd work on a heavier mast. Google is a great tool, type in "mast raising system" and you will see all sorts of photos and ideas out there. Also hit any of the various trailer sailor groups on the internet. Only reason I have not fabricated one to date is I've been at my marina long enough, I can count on at least two people to help me step or un-step my mast when the time comes.
to RJ from Valentina
Sorry, have not posted the rest of the pix on my mast raising system...the ones I took, came out blurry, so, will re-take it as soon as I can. "Abby" is right- it's really simple. The higher the gin-pole is the easier it is to pull the b/tackle. Ideally, a gin pole should be 3-4 inches shorter than the distance between it’s attachment to the deck and the bow chain plate(where the forestay gets attached) those 3-4 inches will provide enough space for your hands to attach the forestay. On my boat this length is about 7 feet. Menards sells that aluminum pole for $16 and it’s 6 feet -good enough form me. Some people use their trailer winch (instead of block/tackle) to put the mast up....(kinda kool)..all you need is a long enough winch cable to reach to the top of your gin-pole...and you are all set. Regarding the hinged mast step...well… ideally, you want that hinge, but technically, the bolt and the original mast step act as a hinge just fine. A good thing about not having that hinge in the mast heel is that you can use the mast for stowing all the wiring while transporting, plus I stick a t3 ft tube in there that gets bungee corded to a furler that is slightly longer than a mast. This way, the furler stays straight and does not get bent while trailering /storing....but that's another story...The rest of the pix will be posted soon, I promise! V.
Sorry, have not posted the rest of the pix on my mast raising system...the ones I took, came out blurry, so, will re-take it as soon as I can. "Abby" is right- it's really simple. The higher the gin-pole is the easier it is to pull the b/tackle. Ideally, a gin pole should be 3-4 inches shorter than the distance between it’s attachment to the deck and the bow chain plate(where the forestay gets attached) those 3-4 inches will provide enough space for your hands to attach the forestay. On my boat this length is about 7 feet. Menards sells that aluminum pole for $16 and it’s 6 feet -good enough form me. Some people use their trailer winch (instead of block/tackle) to put the mast up....(kinda kool)..all you need is a long enough winch cable to reach to the top of your gin-pole...and you are all set. Regarding the hinged mast step...well… ideally, you want that hinge, but technically, the bolt and the original mast step act as a hinge just fine. A good thing about not having that hinge in the mast heel is that you can use the mast for stowing all the wiring while transporting, plus I stick a t3 ft tube in there that gets bungee corded to a furler that is slightly longer than a mast. This way, the furler stays straight and does not get bent while trailering /storing....but that's another story...The rest of the pix will be posted soon, I promise! V.
Thanks for the extra info!
Thanks to both for the additional details. I think I'm starting to get the idea! I'll look forward to the Valentina photos!
Thanks to both for the additional details. I think I'm starting to get the idea! I'll look forward to the Valentina photos!
Pix posted
Hey, All! I have the pix of my mast raising system posted here as promised : http://mac22.valentina.googlepages.com Hope, it helps. V.
Hey, All! I have the pix of my mast raising system posted here as promised : http://mac22.valentina.googlepages.com Hope, it helps. V.
Thanks V!
Thanks for posting the pics. Do you happen to have a close-up of the hinge/pole set up on the deck. I'm still not quite following what bracket that is you used to set the pole in. It's a great set up, you should be proud.
Thanks for posting the pics. Do you happen to have a close-up of the hinge/pole set up on the deck. I'm still not quite following what bracket that is you used to set the pole in. It's a great set up, you should be proud.
Interesting setup Valentina
It doesn't look like you are using baby stays, do you stand near the mast to steady it? I wonder if you could use a whisker pole attached to the mast on a ring near the base...my wife really doesn't like me putting holes in her boat *grr Nice job. Tim
It doesn't look like you are using baby stays, do you stand near the mast to steady it? I wonder if you could use a whisker pole attached to the mast on a ring near the base...my wife really doesn't like me putting holes in her boat *grr Nice job. Tim
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