mast stepping on the water??

[Mike Whalen]

I just helped a guy with a 25 take his mast down with the main halyard run back to the cockpit winch. It took about 5 minutes including shooting the breeze beforehand. His boat was on the trailer. I'd like to add a base plate that would allow me to run the lines aft. I have no trailer but do have access to a rail system at the club to haul out do the work and replace. It seems that it could be done at the dock. With a few hands, a secure boat and some care, why not do it in the water?Thanks,mike

 

[Paul Mieszczenski]

Goes up the same everytime

Mike, The 25 is a stable enought platform to raise the mast at the dock. I've done it twice. Once using the halyard aft to the rail and then back to the winch. I lift and the wife cranks the winch. Be sure to lead the line down to the deck to avoid an override on the winch. The second time a friend at the marina and I just pushed it up into place; he leaned on it until I attached the backstay. No problem either time. A suggestion here is to be sure to support the forstay turnbuckle in the up position with a bunge or some twine. If it's laying on deck it may foul and bend the threaded part of the turnbuckle.Good luck, PM

 

[Herb Schiessl]

Don't rock the boat

I have a 26 and I found that when on the water, as you move around the boat, you get a lot of side to side movement. As a result the mast will sway and it is hard to keep the mast vertical. What has helped me is to find a high pier. I locate bow so that I can bring the boat forward as I lower the base of the mast in place and steady it as I bring it vertical. You can still use a winch to bring it vertical, but this helps with the side to side motion. Works the same up or down. It also gives you a place to put the mast when it is down. Pick a calm day away from boat trafic so you have no wave action.