Finishing up sailing last night I pulled a tad on the mainsheet getting ready to uncleat it to lower--when I punched myself in the face.... The mainsheet let go, somehoweither the shackle or sheet itself got free--the clew on the sail is fine. Anybody go up their 23 mast successfully? Or is lowering it the best solution to get at the sail end of the sheet? Thanks in advance
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Bayard Gross
As you are fom Greenwich,
and as I am from Greenwich, albeit Connecticut as opposed to your New Jersey, I have a kindered spirit to reply. Incidently, this is not the first time I have heard of Greenwich, New Jersey. Some time ago, an owl was raised here in Greenwich, Connecticut. After he was set free, he was noted to have taken up residency in Greenwich, New Jersey. Only goes to show that owls are the symbol of wisdom. Nevertheless, back to your problem. First, I think you are refering to your main halyard. The main sheet is employed on the boom and if that were to let go, I really don't think you'd have to climb the mast. Second, I think you are refering to the headboard at the top of the sail. The clew is at the end of the boom and attaches to the outhaul. Headboards are usually quite robust, so I am not surprised there is no damage there. I personally think it may be wiser to lower the mast to get the halyard back down than to climb the mast on a twenty-three foot boat. However, if you could secure one side of the boat to a dock, then I think you could climb up to get it. You should use the jib halyard secured around yourself or on boatswain's chair. You will need another person to work the jib winch to haul you up. That person will need to be strong, steady and able to quickly cleat down the jib halyard that holds you up. And also let you down slowly as well, unless, of course, you like leaving parts of your body on the spreaders. Finally, after you get the halyard down, attach a line to the shackle so that the next time you do this fun filled event, you need only pull on the line instead of going out and reacquaintaning yourself with the boys at Gold's Jim. By the way, how do you pronounce Greenwich down there. Is it like Green Witch, or like Gren Witch as we do up here.
and as I am from Greenwich, albeit Connecticut as opposed to your New Jersey, I have a kindered spirit to reply. Incidently, this is not the first time I have heard of Greenwich, New Jersey. Some time ago, an owl was raised here in Greenwich, Connecticut. After he was set free, he was noted to have taken up residency in Greenwich, New Jersey. Only goes to show that owls are the symbol of wisdom. Nevertheless, back to your problem. First, I think you are refering to your main halyard. The main sheet is employed on the boom and if that were to let go, I really don't think you'd have to climb the mast. Second, I think you are refering to the headboard at the top of the sail. The clew is at the end of the boom and attaches to the outhaul. Headboards are usually quite robust, so I am not surprised there is no damage there. I personally think it may be wiser to lower the mast to get the halyard back down than to climb the mast on a twenty-three foot boat. However, if you could secure one side of the boat to a dock, then I think you could climb up to get it. You should use the jib halyard secured around yourself or on boatswain's chair. You will need another person to work the jib winch to haul you up. That person will need to be strong, steady and able to quickly cleat down the jib halyard that holds you up. And also let you down slowly as well, unless, of course, you like leaving parts of your body on the spreaders. Finally, after you get the halyard down, attach a line to the shackle so that the next time you do this fun filled event, you need only pull on the line instead of going out and reacquaintaning yourself with the boys at Gold's Jim. By the way, how do you pronounce Greenwich down there. Is it like Green Witch, or like Gren Witch as we do up here.
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Bob
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Adam
Reconsidered going up
Oops oops oops Bayard--after I submitted my question I realized I got my terminology (mainsail) somewhat turned-around..,.. But you did manage to rightly interpret what I MEANT to say.... Anyhow, I'm pretty much set on undoing the backstay and lower shrouds and lowering the mast for this--no telling what I need to do or how long I'll need to do it. As for Green-Witch (the way its pronounced in NJ), indeed its quite different than the CT version. I would second guess the wisdom of that owl that could've have only gotten hoplessly lost or abducted in order to find hisself in Greenwich, NJ.... Well, unless he/she REALLY likes man-eating insects. Thanks again!
Oops oops oops Bayard--after I submitted my question I realized I got my terminology (mainsail) somewhat turned-around..,.. But you did manage to rightly interpret what I MEANT to say.... Anyhow, I'm pretty much set on undoing the backstay and lower shrouds and lowering the mast for this--no telling what I need to do or how long I'll need to do it. As for Green-Witch (the way its pronounced in NJ), indeed its quite different than the CT version. I would second guess the wisdom of that owl that could've have only gotten hoplessly lost or abducted in order to find hisself in Greenwich, NJ.... Well, unless he/she REALLY likes man-eating insects. Thanks again!
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Tom Monroe
good decision!
I think you'll be much happier with your decison to drop the mast. I have an O'Day 22, and it only takes me about 10 minutes and one person helping to get it down and about the same going up. Loosening/tightening the turnbuckles chews up most of that. Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
I think you'll be much happier with your decison to drop the mast. I have an O'Day 22, and it only takes me about 10 minutes and one person helping to get it down and about the same going up. Loosening/tightening the turnbuckles chews up most of that. Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
Lowering the mast with the boat in the water?
That may be tricky, in fact possibly even trickier than climbing the mast with the boat in the water. Either get the boat on dry land or use one of the mast raising rigs in the Forum Archives. Pictures and descriptions are in the Photo Forum. Without one of these rigs to stabilize the mast, a wrongly placed foot could send everything over the side. When searching the archives, enter "23" for the boat model, "mast raising" for key words, select the "all" button and hang on. There are also articles about easy ways to rerun the halyards through the mast. I would also suggest the Smaller Boats Forum here at HOW. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
That may be tricky, in fact possibly even trickier than climbing the mast with the boat in the water. Either get the boat on dry land or use one of the mast raising rigs in the Forum Archives. Pictures and descriptions are in the Photo Forum. Without one of these rigs to stabilize the mast, a wrongly placed foot could send everything over the side. When searching the archives, enter "23" for the boat model, "mast raising" for key words, select the "all" button and hang on. There are also articles about easy ways to rerun the halyards through the mast. I would also suggest the Smaller Boats Forum here at HOW. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
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Jim Logan
I Lowered my ODay 23 mast in the water...
I owned an ODay 23 on which I lowered and raised the mast with the boat in the water - we had it tied alongside a finger pier, and I used short lines in two places to move the boat tight against fenders placed along the pier - this limited the rocking of the boat when working with the mast - we put one person in the back belaying the mast with a halyard, and two people "catching" the lowering mast toward the bow - they get the most weight, but if the belay person in back is doing their job, they don't get too much weight until the mast is about 30degrees to the boat. When we lowered mine, part of the tabernacle broke (old break, not because of lowering the mast) and we had to get a new part made. That caused some excitement as the base of the mast started moving, but no harm was done - but if you do the job without a crane in the water, I would have at least 2 large people and 3 people total is much safer. The main point is to maintain control of the mast and move slowly so it remains in a vertical plane as it lowers, and doesn't try to go to one side or the other. The mast is not overly heavy, but if it gets away from you, could do some damage or hurt someone if they try to catch it.
I owned an ODay 23 on which I lowered and raised the mast with the boat in the water - we had it tied alongside a finger pier, and I used short lines in two places to move the boat tight against fenders placed along the pier - this limited the rocking of the boat when working with the mast - we put one person in the back belaying the mast with a halyard, and two people "catching" the lowering mast toward the bow - they get the most weight, but if the belay person in back is doing their job, they don't get too much weight until the mast is about 30degrees to the boat. When we lowered mine, part of the tabernacle broke (old break, not because of lowering the mast) and we had to get a new part made. That caused some excitement as the base of the mast started moving, but no harm was done - but if you do the job without a crane in the water, I would have at least 2 large people and 3 people total is much safer. The main point is to maintain control of the mast and move slowly so it remains in a vertical plane as it lowers, and doesn't try to go to one side or the other. The mast is not overly heavy, but if it gets away from you, could do some damage or hurt someone if they try to catch it.
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Jim LeBlanc
Mast lowering can be tricky
When I had a Venture 25 (and was much younger than I am now) I would raise and lower the mast by only using the gear provided by Venture (crutch on the stern bolted to the rudder pivot points) and one of my kids to get the forestay turnbuckle started. I now have an S2 7.3 (24 ft), which has a much heavier mast than the Venture did. I have successfully lowered it (once foreward and once aftward) while the boat was in the water, but tied up tight to the dock, as described. I have also been to the top of the mast using a bosun's chair, with the boat in the water. Either way, it takes two people. In lowering the mast, I preferred going foreward. I used two blocks and tackles (backstay adjuster and boom vang) in a bridle arrangement. I left the boom in place and arranged the bridles from the mid-boom bail (where the main sheet normally attaches)to the toe rails near the aft end of the boat. Once the shrouds were loosened and the fore and aft stays were removed, it was easy to gradually lower the mast under control until the person on the dock could reach it. Going back up was just the reverse procedure. Main thing is: don't let it get away from you, slow and steady is the way to go.
When I had a Venture 25 (and was much younger than I am now) I would raise and lower the mast by only using the gear provided by Venture (crutch on the stern bolted to the rudder pivot points) and one of my kids to get the forestay turnbuckle started. I now have an S2 7.3 (24 ft), which has a much heavier mast than the Venture did. I have successfully lowered it (once foreward and once aftward) while the boat was in the water, but tied up tight to the dock, as described. I have also been to the top of the mast using a bosun's chair, with the boat in the water. Either way, it takes two people. In lowering the mast, I preferred going foreward. I used two blocks and tackles (backstay adjuster and boom vang) in a bridle arrangement. I left the boom in place and arranged the bridles from the mid-boom bail (where the main sheet normally attaches)to the toe rails near the aft end of the boat. Once the shrouds were loosened and the fore and aft stays were removed, it was easy to gradually lower the mast under control until the person on the dock could reach it. Going back up was just the reverse procedure. Main thing is: don't let it get away from you, slow and steady is the way to go.
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Don K.
Use the jib halyard
Before you drop the mast try this. This worked for me after several attempts. Tie a line to your jib shackle and also the other end of your halyard so you don't lose that also. Tape a hook of some sort to the halyard( a coat hanger would work )and hoist the halyard up with the hook facing starboard side. I was anchored in a cove while I was singlehanding with no one to help me for many miles.
Before you drop the mast try this. This worked for me after several attempts. Tie a line to your jib shackle and also the other end of your halyard so you don't lose that also. Tape a hook of some sort to the halyard( a coat hanger would work )and hoist the halyard up with the hook facing starboard side. I was anchored in a cove while I was singlehanding with no one to help me for many miles.
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Pops
!/4 round molding
I've seen people tape together long sections of 1/4 round molding, use thin pvc pipe, and extending fiberglass poles with sucess. It's not really that high (unless you're falling) and can be reached easily with long objects of differring materials.
I've seen people tape together long sections of 1/4 round molding, use thin pvc pipe, and extending fiberglass poles with sucess. It's not really that high (unless you're falling) and can be reached easily with long objects of differring materials.
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