Mast raising

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Dave O

Can someone please tell me the best way to single handedly raise the mast on the 1986 Catalina 22. Any reply sure would be appreciated.... thanks
 
Nov 9, 2004
3
- - Fort Worth Texas
catalina direct

Catalina Direct has a single handed mast raising system. They charge around 400.00 for it. Dont know if it works. If it does let me know. mojobear
 
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Ray Bowles

$15 home made gin pole assy.

Dave, I have had 2 trailer boats so I built a gin pole assy that straps to the bottom of the mast and will raise or lower it in 10 minutes. If you can run a skill saw or hand saw it will take about 1 hour to build. We just used it on my C22 and my brother in laws San Jaun 23,and it has a taller mast. If you want I can send text and pictures the first of next week as we are in hunting season right now and this week is spoken for. Ray
 
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Augie Byllott

Do a google search on the words 'mast raising' and you'll get several pages of hits with enough ideas to get you going.
 
Jun 4, 2004
29
- - Abilene, TX
Single Hand Mast Stepping

I made an adjustable mast crutch with two different sizes of tubing. It has a boat roller on top, so I can roll my mast back to pin it at the tabernacle. I can pin the crutch in three positions: transport (low), sliding the mast back (medium), and raising (high). After attaching the mast at the tabernacle, I tie my painter in a U shape bridle on the pulpit, then attach my jib halyard to the center of the U. I then raise the crutch and pin it at the highest point...be sure your back stay is not tangled and laid-out in the cockpit. I can then stand on top of the cabin and lift the mast from waist height. After the mast is up, I pull and cleat the jib halyard. This will hold the mast up while pinning the forestay. I like to have the wind coming directly over the stern, so I do not have to fight it while coming up with the mast. It is not a good to attempt raising the mast with a strong cross wind. David
 
Jul 8, 2004
157
- - Pinedale, WY
Or Try an A-Frame

A similar approach to the Gin Pole is an A-frame that you can build from small trees or good 2X2's. Mine is connected at top by a bolt holding a couple of quick release clips. One you connect to the forestay, the other to a long line that you'll have to run through a turning block or around a pipe or someting on the bow or on your trailer and back to you in the cockpit. But to begin, build a crutch and attach to the transom (mine is attached into the gudgeons where you put in the rudder), and extends above the transom maybe 5 or 6 ft. So you begin by moving the mast back with upper part resting up on the crutch while you bolt on the base into the mast foot that is attached to cabin. Make sure all stays are straight (not kinked) and attach the forestay to A-frame which is attached at base either to stanchions or to the forward shroud mount. I keep the side and rear shrouds attached but adjusted loose and the forward shroud unattached. You may want to add other lines to keep mast from swaying sideways while raising. The back stay must be attached so that it will stop the mast from tumbling forward. Check to be sure there are no overhead obstructions between where you are and where you sail, especially avoid powerlines which can kill. Now while in cockpit push the mast up as high as possible while pulling on the line that you ran from forestay attached to top of vertical A-Frame and to bow or trailer. As you push and pull the top of the A-frame will pivot forward to near the bow, and when fully raised you'll need to tie off the line you were pulling so that you can move forward to attach the forward shrouds and move the forestay from the A-frame to the boat. Then you can tune the rigging. With all the things moving from slack to firm, it is much easier and safer to do all this with at least 2 people. I think you can find more information about raising the mast either on the Catalina 22 Association website www.catalina22.org or on their technical manual which is available on a CD.
 
May 7, 2004
17
- - Lynn, Ma.
A-Frame

Dave, all the advise is good. I made a crutch similar to as mentioned in the other replies, but instead of a single gin pole attached at the base of the mast, I made a A-Frame out of 2 pieces of electrical conduit hinged at one end with eye bolts and the 2 other ends hinged to blocks that butt up to the forward lower shroud attachement points. With the mast pinned at the tabernacle and up in the crutch with the farward lower shrouds unattached I hook the jib halyard to the A-Frame and hook my boom vang to the A-Frame and the bow stem. I stand on the cabin to help guide the mast and keep the shrouds and backstay clear and just pull on the vang. As the mast stands up, cleet the vang and take the forestay to the stem and pin. Taking the nmast down is the reverse. The older I get the more this works well! I can set up and launch the boat in about an hour by myself with this setup. There are plenty of ideas out there, just pick or combine the ones you like and get on the water.
 
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