I just purchased a 1975 Catalina 22 on a trailer. Had sails repaired (picked them up yesterday), motor service completed (will pick up this afternoon) and detailer should finish this afternoon). Looking for advice and suggestions for help in raising the mast, setting the rigging, and launching. I live in Port Salerno / Stuart Fl.
New ownerRaising Mast / Launching Cat 22
- Thread starter fido911
- Start date
- Status
Too Much
Way too much to go over if you have never raised a mast on a sailboat before.
If you have then everyone here will give you a few pointers and a few things to look out for, but if you have no experience then I suggest you find someone locality who understands what is going on and can help you.
Information on this site will only make everything more frustrating and will cause damage to your boat and possible injury.
Learning to sail is the easy part, getting that boat ready is the hard part.
Way too much to go over if you have never raised a mast on a sailboat before.
If you have then everyone here will give you a few pointers and a few things to look out for, but if you have no experience then I suggest you find someone locality who understands what is going on and can help you.
Information on this site will only make everything more frustrating and will cause damage to your boat and possible injury.
Learning to sail is the easy part, getting that boat ready is the hard part.
Re: Too Much
I agree with the previous poster, in that you may need some local guidance if this process is new to you. Raising a mast is not complicated if you follow a step-by-step set procedure. There is a knack to raising a mast safely and effectively, and much that can go south in a heartbeat. The next question would be... are you planning to keep this at a marina slip (in the water all the time), keep on the trailer with the mast up most of the time, or trailer the boat to multiple sailing locations. That would indicate if you need help just to raise the mast once, once every now and then, or every time you head out on the water. If the latter, then I would also suggest investing in a mast raising system (Catalina's mast step on the gudgeons) and an actual mechanical raising sytem (eg. gin pole with winch). These would be safer and you could do it single-handed.
But if you only want to get the stick up once and leave it that way, some local help will undoubtedly come forward. Good luck. If you need info on mast raising there are posts on this site, or drop me a line. Cheers...
I agree with the previous poster, in that you may need some local guidance if this process is new to you. Raising a mast is not complicated if you follow a step-by-step set procedure. There is a knack to raising a mast safely and effectively, and much that can go south in a heartbeat. The next question would be... are you planning to keep this at a marina slip (in the water all the time), keep on the trailer with the mast up most of the time, or trailer the boat to multiple sailing locations. That would indicate if you need help just to raise the mast once, once every now and then, or every time you head out on the water. If the latter, then I would also suggest investing in a mast raising system (Catalina's mast step on the gudgeons) and an actual mechanical raising sytem (eg. gin pole with winch). These would be safer and you could do it single-handed.
But if you only want to get the stick up once and leave it that way, some local help will undoubtedly come forward. Good luck. If you need info on mast raising there are posts on this site, or drop me a line. Cheers...
Re: Too Much
I agree 100%. Any suggestions on how to find some local help. The sail maker quoted me 2 men for 2 - 3 hours. About $500.00
I agree 100%. Any suggestions on how to find some local help. The sail maker quoted me 2 men for 2 - 3 hours. About $500.00
$500 is piracy. Suggest going to your local marina. There is sure to be a facility that handles boat storage, haul-outs etc. These guys may charge by the foot eg C22 is 22ft at $3/ft so $66. If you talked to them and agreed to pay their put-in / haul-out fee you will learn by watching, helping the guys. Part of the deal putting a sailboat in the water is raising the stick. But be sure they're experienced at this and not just fizz-boat jockeys out for a quick buck.
If there is a local Sailing Club it might be worthwhile talking to some of the folks there. For some guys, the offer of some libations is sufficient to lend a hand. Where I come from, a bottle of rum worked wonders.
There are also some great videos posted on the web, some by C22 owners. The principle is mostly the same, but technique is design specific, and especially between fractional rig (forestay doesn't attach at the top of the mast) and masthead rig (forestay attached at the very top of the mast. The C22 is in this group) set-ups. Google 'mast raising' and watch a few beforehand.
Cheers
If there is a local Sailing Club it might be worthwhile talking to some of the folks there. For some guys, the offer of some libations is sufficient to lend a hand. Where I come from, a bottle of rum worked wonders.
There are also some great videos posted on the web, some by C22 owners. The principle is mostly the same, but technique is design specific, and especially between fractional rig (forestay doesn't attach at the top of the mast) and masthead rig (forestay attached at the very top of the mast. The C22 is in this group) set-ups. Google 'mast raising' and watch a few beforehand.
Cheers
Last edited:
Are you in an area where there are no other sailors?
I had three guys from the marina where my slip is help me both raise the mast, and launch the boat. Unless, you're planning to sail in isolated areas, I'd hang around the docks and meet people, and explain what you need help with. I think you'll find sailors to be a very helpful bunch. We've all been new owners once.
I had three guys from the marina where my slip is help me both raise the mast, and launch the boat. Unless, you're planning to sail in isolated areas, I'd hang around the docks and meet people, and explain what you need help with. I think you'll find sailors to be a very helpful bunch. We've all been new owners once.
that sailmaker -- what a guy !!!!
no kindness in that heart for a new sailboat owner -- after you spent money there too -- if you pull your boat down to a fairly busy (with sailboats) marina -- see if two fellow sailboat sailors have 15 min so as to show you how to set up and take down of mast -- look up sailing clubs in your area -- anyone in a local club should be more than willing to help you get off in the right direction for FREE -- Mountainman
You mention you are on a trailer. The first time I raised my mast I did it on the trailer near my house and spent time setting the shroud tensions, making certain the running rigging worked correctly and that I understood how it should operate and be rigged, and inspecting the various hardware. I figured it was easier and less frustrating to correct problems in that environment instead of finding out something is wrong when I'm on the water with the wind blowing.
The mast on a Cat 22 is relatively easy to step, but the process has a reputation for bending shroud toggles if a they do not line up properly as the mast stands up the last few degrees and the shrouds come to full tension.
Two accessories that are a must for trailer sailors are the "Mast Up" and a mast cradle. See these links for more info:
http://catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=636
http://catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=479
This company, Catalina Direct, also sells an owners manual for your boat that explains things like stepping the mast.
The mast on a Cat 22 is relatively easy to step, but the process has a reputation for bending shroud toggles if a they do not line up properly as the mast stands up the last few degrees and the shrouds come to full tension.
Two accessories that are a must for trailer sailors are the "Mast Up" and a mast cradle. See these links for more info:
http://catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=636
http://catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=479
This company, Catalina Direct, also sells an owners manual for your boat that explains things like stepping the mast.
Fido, I have to go to Salt Lake City tomorrow morning but I'll be back a week from this coming Tuesday. I live an hour and a half from you and I'll be happy to drive over and help. Won't cost anything either. I have a Mac 22 trailerable now and I had a Reinell 22 trailerable sailboat before. I'm pretty familiar with ways to get them up and down, and I can show you things that you can install or build for it that will help make it easier. You may already have them and just not know it, or how to use them. Anyway, PM me if you would like me to come over a couple of weekends from now and help you get started...
For some education, here's an interesting page on one way to tackle this subject.
I recommend another C22 owner helping still because a few things aren't mentioned such as checking the equipment and making sure that the T bolts aren't bent up.
http://slowflight.net/upgrades/singlehandedmaststep.html
I recommend another C22 owner helping still because a few things aren't mentioned such as checking the equipment and making sure that the T bolts aren't bent up.
http://slowflight.net/upgrades/singlehandedmaststep.html
To all who have responded--Many Many thanks. I have moved the boat to my storage warehouse and have started to unpackage it (previous owner had unhooked everything and bundled for trailering). I am going to inspect all lines, cables, and fittings for corrosion, rust, and fraying. In the cabin, I found a " V " rig, that I now know helps gain mechanical advantage when stepping the mast. I also found all the original manuals and have a pretty good idea of where the rigging should go. After reading all the responses, I plan to proceed slow and carefully. Thanks again. Stu
There are several C22 owners your area, not sure of the Fleet # but I know there is a Fleet there. Go over tot the C22 National website and look up the Fleet there then contact them. There will be a Fleet captain email address listed.... They will give you all the help you need and you'll make a few new friends.
I live near you and own a Catalina 22. email me at dwottavian@hotmail.com. I would be glad to come by and help you get started. Are you a member of the St. Lucie Sailing Club? It is a local group that has been here for many years. A great group of people. Let me know what I can do.
Dave Ottaviani
Go online and download the Catalina 22 Owners manual for your year. It provides step by step detail about stepping the mast (no pun)
That's how I learned to do it on my 1987 model.
That's how I learned to do it on my 1987 model.
If you look in the web there are lots of videos and tutorials of "how to" raise a mast, in this case. But the most important thing is to learn how not to do it. Because, if it wasn't for learning what could go wrong, my mast could've fallen on someone's head when the mast step came off due to failure on rusted bolts. Take as many extra safety measures until you get to know it well.
- Status