mast stump/stepping

[Charlotte]

We've just bought a gorgeous 1967 Javelin and tried her out yesterday which was great. However we did find it difficult to step the mast as when pushing the mast to raise it, the base of the mast would come out of the stump that is fixed to the boat and I was worried we were going to drop the mast. One of us stood in the boat (on the trailer)and pushed the mast up and the other pulled on the forestay. Is this right? What is the easiest (quickest/safest) way to get it up and down? Should we fix the bottom part of the mast to the stump and if so, how? I would be greatful for any advice.

 

[Rod Johnson,]

Confused, but will try to answer

I assume that your Javelin has a hinged maststep or tabenacle? If so, the part of the mast below the hinge (the part that goes through the deck and fits over the mast step on the fiberglass bow-section beam connecting the cb trunk to the forward flotation tank.) usually will either be pinned or riveted to the mast step to prevent this part of the mast from lifting off the step while you are stepping/unstepping the mast. Look for a hole in the mast that will line up with a hole in the mas step, fit a screw there and it should keep that part of the mast in place.As far as the easiest way to step the mast, I'd do just what you did, have one person in the boat pushing the mast up from aft while another person pulls on the forestay. The pull on the forestay is more of a back-up to the person in the boat, but helps!