My position at our club is Chair of the hoist committee.. I am responsible for the stepping and unstepping of all masts in the fleet. Feel free to PM me and I'll try to assist you.
You give me too much credit! I just don't want to spell out recommend.Boy is that an understatement. Very subtle using a medical reference.
It's on the yard, it will happen on the yard and Monday I'm finding out about outside services been allowed since last week they turn down a request for a soda blasting service since the marina offers "sandblasting"
So, being on the hard make a man lift out of the question. These lifts are typically limited to 45-50 feet overall.. The step collar is probably 10-12 feet of the deck, and from where the mast would be chocked plus the lift for the keel step makes it nearly impossible.. So a crane it is. Lots of options there.. If you end up with a rigger but not necessarily a sailboat rigger, here is a tip: Make a loop with 1/2" or slightly larger double braid polyester rope( figure 8 loop is best), make another loop with enough line in between to fit around the mast below the spreaders. The hook from the crane should capture both loops with some enough room to put your fist between the mast and the hook. This point is strictly a balance point.. Around the this line ( best on the aft side of the mast) you need to tie a down haul line. We use 3/8"dyneema. This line runs down the mast to a cleat where it is made fast. This line will carry the weight of the mast as it is raised vertical from the horizontal.. It helps to tie small diameter lines onto the turnbuckles of the upper shrouds..This will help control any yawing . When below and trying to make the step, have someone in the cockpit to relay commands. Don't use the crane for lateral movements to align the step. Use the upper shrouds. Like a tiller, opposite thinking is needed..
