I'm very new here. I recently bought my first boat,a cat /22. I tried raising the mast myself only to watch it get sideways and tear off the plate.I am planning to mount a power winch to the front of the trailer and and using a wired remote walk it up .I have a complete and full machine shop and welding shop at my disposal. Anybody else try this ? suggestions
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Would Definitely Work
However it may work too well. Using the winch you will not get a feel for when something is binding or out of line and make it easy to snap or bend things when it does. There are a number of articles on tripods and bipods in the archives that guys have used to get it up and may be worth a look. Worth considering though if you are careful.
However it may work too well. Using the winch you will not get a feel for when something is binding or out of line and make it easy to snap or bend things when it does. There are a number of articles on tripods and bipods in the archives that guys have used to get it up and may be worth a look. Worth considering though if you are careful.
one method
The attached link below will give you one method for keeping the mast from wandering sideways. On the hunter 23 model page you will find several other fine ideas for assisting that may be applicable to your boat. Good Luck Ward
The attached link below will give you one method for keeping the mast from wandering sideways. On the hunter 23 model page you will find several other fine ideas for assisting that may be applicable to your boat. Good Luck Ward
why bother?
Hello, Do you have to raise the mast yourself? If you can get one person to help you, you won't need a power winch (you might not need a winch at all). When my wife and I raise the mast, I use the trailer winch to raise the mast. I tie a line to the forestay and connect the winch to that. My wife cranks the winch while I steady the mast and make sure the shrouds and stays stay clear. When I raise with mast with some other guys, I just lift it and walk it forward. It helps to have a third hand available to clear the stays, etc. One guy pulls the forestay, I lift the mast, the other guys checks to make sure the stays don't catch anything on the cabin. Barry
Hello, Do you have to raise the mast yourself? If you can get one person to help you, you won't need a power winch (you might not need a winch at all). When my wife and I raise the mast, I use the trailer winch to raise the mast. I tie a line to the forestay and connect the winch to that. My wife cranks the winch while I steady the mast and make sure the shrouds and stays stay clear. When I raise with mast with some other guys, I just lift it and walk it forward. It helps to have a third hand available to clear the stays, etc. One guy pulls the forestay, I lift the mast, the other guys checks to make sure the stays don't catch anything on the cabin. Barry
Web search...
There are plenty of resources for mast raising ideas on the web. In partciulcar search for "Macgregor Mast raising". Here is one of the better pages: http://www.svwhale.com/q1mastup.shtml You need to add some temporary mast support lines that prevent the mast from falling to the side while going up (or down). Once up, the shrouds take over, and you can remove the lines for sailing. I've used nylon tie down straps, cheap and easy. You need to attach to the mast about 7 feet or so above deck. A cleat makes a good anchor point. Attach to the deck (or toe rail, stanchion base, etc.) that is in line with the pivot point of the mast so the lines don't get tighter or looser as the mast goes up (or down). Fair winds... Tom
There are plenty of resources for mast raising ideas on the web. In partciulcar search for "Macgregor Mast raising". Here is one of the better pages: http://www.svwhale.com/q1mastup.shtml You need to add some temporary mast support lines that prevent the mast from falling to the side while going up (or down). Once up, the shrouds take over, and you can remove the lines for sailing. I've used nylon tie down straps, cheap and easy. You need to attach to the mast about 7 feet or so above deck. A cleat makes a good anchor point. Attach to the deck (or toe rail, stanchion base, etc.) that is in line with the pivot point of the mast so the lines don't get tighter or looser as the mast goes up (or down). Fair winds... Tom
Tom is right
Your main lookout is to keep the mast from falling sideways - you can make a "bridle" for this purpose. It needs to be a little loose so it doesn't bind, but not loose enough to let the mast wander very far off the center line. I use the boom as a gin pole on my boat, and rig up a 4 to 1 purchase using stern cleats and a cockpit winch. It is handy to temporarily tape turnbuckles in an upright position so they don't kink as the shrouds tighten up. Two people make the job go MUCH easier.
Your main lookout is to keep the mast from falling sideways - you can make a "bridle" for this purpose. It needs to be a little loose so it doesn't bind, but not loose enough to let the mast wander very far off the center line. I use the boom as a gin pole on my boat, and rig up a 4 to 1 purchase using stern cleats and a cockpit winch. It is handy to temporarily tape turnbuckles in an upright position so they don't kink as the shrouds tighten up. Two people make the job go MUCH easier.
c22 mast raising
I'm a bit confused on why you want a power winch. I made a Mast support and Gin pole from aluminum tubing to raise my mast.Mast support attaches to the gudgeons mast rest on it. The Gin pole was made using a 6'piece of Aluminum tubing. I use the boom vang to raise the mast. It has side supports but I only used them one time as I discovered I could hold the gin pole then the mast to keep it centered. Just so you know I have a back injury and have yet had any problem raising the mast alone. total cost about 45.00 bucks. Of course you can buy a similar system from Catalina Direct for about 500.00 Ken
I'm a bit confused on why you want a power winch. I made a Mast support and Gin pole from aluminum tubing to raise my mast.Mast support attaches to the gudgeons mast rest on it. The Gin pole was made using a 6'piece of Aluminum tubing. I use the boom vang to raise the mast. It has side supports but I only used them one time as I discovered I could hold the gin pole then the mast to keep it centered. Just so you know I have a back injury and have yet had any problem raising the mast alone. total cost about 45.00 bucks. Of course you can buy a similar system from Catalina Direct for about 500.00 Ken
Mast raising made easy
For a Catalina 22 you have an outboard hung rudder. Make yourself a telescoping mast crutch like the one made by mast up in Oregon. This will take the mast up six feet or so above the top of the transom. Make the top of your crutch U shaped and put a roller in there. After you do this mast raising will be easier. Next thing is use your jib halyard with a line attached to it running down to a block attached to the jib tack fitting. Use the block to turn the line and run it back to the cockpit where your primary winches are located. One guy holds the mast while the other cranks on it and watches to make sure the rigging does not get tangled. Check out catalina direct on the web. Ryan
For a Catalina 22 you have an outboard hung rudder. Make yourself a telescoping mast crutch like the one made by mast up in Oregon. This will take the mast up six feet or so above the top of the transom. Make the top of your crutch U shaped and put a roller in there. After you do this mast raising will be easier. Next thing is use your jib halyard with a line attached to it running down to a block attached to the jib tack fitting. Use the block to turn the line and run it back to the cockpit where your primary winches are located. One guy holds the mast while the other cranks on it and watches to make sure the rigging does not get tangled. Check out catalina direct on the web. Ryan
Why it's worth the bother
If you have NO help, a mast-raising system is worth its weight in gold. Nuff said. Peter H23 "Raven"
If you have NO help, a mast-raising system is worth its weight in gold. Nuff said. Peter H23 "Raven"
AMEN Peter!
Many people don't uderstand unless they have to do it by themselves, every time they sail. In many cases with gusts and cross winds. A reliable mast raising system that is easy to use will save time, improve safety and incease boat use. If I always had a couple of strong guys to help in ideal conditions, I wouldn't have one either. Ward
Many people don't uderstand unless they have to do it by themselves, every time they sail. In many cases with gusts and cross winds. A reliable mast raising system that is easy to use will save time, improve safety and incease boat use. If I always had a couple of strong guys to help in ideal conditions, I wouldn't have one either. Ward
Tim,make a bridel for mast as they said and
I do my mast with a 12V trailer winch,works real good,but you must have a bridel on it to stop side to side sway! The winch you pick must have both up and down,many only have pull in!
I do my mast with a 12V trailer winch,works real good,but you must have a bridel on it to stop side to side sway! The winch you pick must have both up and down,many only have pull in!
Mast raising systems evolution
Mast raising systems have been evolving for 10-15 years. We've seen some of them use the boom and lower the mast forward while most of them use a gin pole and lower aft. Mono gin poles and A frame gin poles. Single poles require baby stays. A frames don't as long as the boat is level. Some systems use block and tackles, some use trailer winch. Others use a dedicated trailer winch or a sheet winch on the boat. Some require the boat to be on the trailer, while some provide for raising on the water so that the mast can be lowered for a bridge. Some use an articulating A frame while very current designs use a fixed A frame. In my opinion, the most evolved mast raising system is the fixed A frame. Because its fixed vertically, the base mounting is much simpler as it doesn't have to rotate. The legs can simple be lashed in some way to the mid ship stanchions. Also the length is not as critical as the apex doesn't have to be measured to line up with the trailer winch when it comes fully down. The A frame gin pole can be built in one of two configurations. It can have a small cheap trailer winch mounted to one of the legs so that the single handed operator is in a proper place to handle a roller furler and the winch at the same time or it can use a jib car and sheet winch on the boat, either way... no trailer is necessary and the operation can be done safely with minimum effort. See the link for drawings of the two optional methods.
Mast raising systems have been evolving for 10-15 years. We've seen some of them use the boom and lower the mast forward while most of them use a gin pole and lower aft. Mono gin poles and A frame gin poles. Single poles require baby stays. A frames don't as long as the boat is level. Some systems use block and tackles, some use trailer winch. Others use a dedicated trailer winch or a sheet winch on the boat. Some require the boat to be on the trailer, while some provide for raising on the water so that the mast can be lowered for a bridge. Some use an articulating A frame while very current designs use a fixed A frame. In my opinion, the most evolved mast raising system is the fixed A frame. Because its fixed vertically, the base mounting is much simpler as it doesn't have to rotate. The legs can simple be lashed in some way to the mid ship stanchions. Also the length is not as critical as the apex doesn't have to be measured to line up with the trailer winch when it comes fully down. The A frame gin pole can be built in one of two configurations. It can have a small cheap trailer winch mounted to one of the legs so that the single handed operator is in a proper place to handle a roller furler and the winch at the same time or it can use a jib car and sheet winch on the boat, either way... no trailer is necessary and the operation can be done safely with minimum effort. See the link for drawings of the two optional methods.
My A-frame
In my system, the mainsheet tackle connects between the top of the A-frame and the anchor locker. I use a couple of snap shackles to make it easy to disconnect from the boom and traveler. The jib halyard shackle goes from the top of the mast to the top of the A-frame. I don't have roller furling, so life is easy. To raise or lower the mast, I stand on the cabin top and pull on the mainsheet. With the 4:1 purchase I only need one hand, so I use the other to steady the mast as it goes up or down. I can stop at any time to clear a fouled shroud by simply cleating the sheet. Although it's long, the H23 mast is not heavy and I've lowered it in crosswinds with no problem. The mainsheet tackle really helps when the mast is all the way up because I have swept back spreaders. To tighten the forestay, I have to pull hard against four shrouds that are puling backwards. I simply harden up on the mainsheet some more, at which point I can insert the forestay into the turnbuckle and tighten it by hand (no tools). Once it's properly in, I just ease the mainsheet and that sucker is TIGHT. Fastening the A-frame legs to the lifeline stanchions is easy. Get some 1-inch diameter cable conduit clamps (available in any marine store), 1/4-inch bolts and wing nuts. The clamp goes over the stanchion and the bolt becomes the pivot for the A-frame. Check the forum archives under "mast raising system" for the H23 for pictures. The system breaks down and stores on the boat in case I ever run into a low bridge. Peter H23 "Raven"
In my system, the mainsheet tackle connects between the top of the A-frame and the anchor locker. I use a couple of snap shackles to make it easy to disconnect from the boom and traveler. The jib halyard shackle goes from the top of the mast to the top of the A-frame. I don't have roller furling, so life is easy. To raise or lower the mast, I stand on the cabin top and pull on the mainsheet. With the 4:1 purchase I only need one hand, so I use the other to steady the mast as it goes up or down. I can stop at any time to clear a fouled shroud by simply cleating the sheet. Although it's long, the H23 mast is not heavy and I've lowered it in crosswinds with no problem. The mainsheet tackle really helps when the mast is all the way up because I have swept back spreaders. To tighten the forestay, I have to pull hard against four shrouds that are puling backwards. I simply harden up on the mainsheet some more, at which point I can insert the forestay into the turnbuckle and tighten it by hand (no tools). Once it's properly in, I just ease the mainsheet and that sucker is TIGHT. Fastening the A-frame legs to the lifeline stanchions is easy. Get some 1-inch diameter cable conduit clamps (available in any marine store), 1/4-inch bolts and wing nuts. The clamp goes over the stanchion and the bolt becomes the pivot for the A-frame. Check the forum archives under "mast raising system" for the H23 for pictures. The system breaks down and stores on the boat in case I ever run into a low bridge. Peter H23 "Raven"
Peter, more help, please......
Peter, I'm not mechanically inclined, but your system seems to be one I could handle. Bought my h23 in September and have only raised the mast (once), when I was totally ignorant and had the help of three volunteers at the marina. Nothing but muscle used. I've looked at your pictures and would greatly appreciate a little more information. How long are the poles of your A-frame? Did you just hammer down the ends of the poles, then drill the holes? Any idea whether my Francespar is heavier than your mast? One-handed is hard to imagine, even with 4:1 purchase, but then I'm still amazed that airplanes fly and sailboats sail into the wind. I'm sure West Marine guys can help, but any thoughts on the size shackles you use? I have a roller-furling jib, but the jib halyard is still in the mast so I assume I'll be all right. Just securely tie off the back end to a mast-mounted 'deck' cleat? I have the swept-back spreaders. Do you loosen the shrouds when you lower the mast? Finally, I'm wondering what kind of crutch you have and how it's mounted. In the archives you've mentioned it's made with 2x4s. Thanks in advance, Mac
Peter, I'm not mechanically inclined, but your system seems to be one I could handle. Bought my h23 in September and have only raised the mast (once), when I was totally ignorant and had the help of three volunteers at the marina. Nothing but muscle used. I've looked at your pictures and would greatly appreciate a little more information. How long are the poles of your A-frame? Did you just hammer down the ends of the poles, then drill the holes? Any idea whether my Francespar is heavier than your mast? One-handed is hard to imagine, even with 4:1 purchase, but then I'm still amazed that airplanes fly and sailboats sail into the wind. I'm sure West Marine guys can help, but any thoughts on the size shackles you use? I have a roller-furling jib, but the jib halyard is still in the mast so I assume I'll be all right. Just securely tie off the back end to a mast-mounted 'deck' cleat? I have the swept-back spreaders. Do you loosen the shrouds when you lower the mast? Finally, I'm wondering what kind of crutch you have and how it's mounted. In the archives you've mentioned it's made with 2x4s. Thanks in advance, Mac
Hey guys has anty one
tryed to put rear stay and port and starboard stays on and just lift the mast up by hand the stays stop it from falling to the side and frountand I would hook the jib hailyard to the truck and take up slack like you would raise up a sail then hook frount stay I would do this on the trailer but I have done it in the water to.
tryed to put rear stay and port and starboard stays on and just lift the mast up by hand the stays stop it from falling to the side and frountand I would hook the jib hailyard to the truck and take up slack like you would raise up a sail then hook frount stay I would do this on the trailer but I have done it in the water to.
Peter, like it or not...
I know from your previous posts that you don't consider thanks necessary. But I can't help it. Thanks. Mac
I know from your previous posts that you don't consider thanks necessary. But I can't help it. Thanks. Mac
I use the same system as Peter
And have had NO problem stepping the mast of my 1986 25.5 alone. I’ve used the “A” frame on the trailer and in the water.
And have had NO problem stepping the mast of my 1986 25.5 alone. I’ve used the “A” frame on the trailer and in the water.
H23 mast crutch (the real deal)
Here's the mast crutch I mentioned earlier. It's made of two pieces of box-section steel telescoped inside each other. The whole thing is about 6 ft high closed and almost 11 ft high when open. The roller at the top makes it easy to move the lowered mast forward or aft. The two cross pieces near the lower end have holes that fit over the rudder pintles on the transom. With this crutch and the A-frame I can raise and lower the mast single-handed in about 15 minutes. Peter H23 "Raven"
Here's the mast crutch I mentioned earlier. It's made of two pieces of box-section steel telescoped inside each other. The whole thing is about 6 ft high closed and almost 11 ft high when open. The roller at the top makes it easy to move the lowered mast forward or aft. The two cross pieces near the lower end have holes that fit over the rudder pintles on the transom. With this crutch and the A-frame I can raise and lower the mast single-handed in about 15 minutes. Peter H23 "Raven"
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