Problems stepping the mast on C-22

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John Baker

Hello and ahoy! I am helping my brother-in-law with his '78 C-22, hull #8216. He bought it used and is a novice. I have a great deal of experience with larger sailboats and am a competent sailboat rigger. However, I am new to the "hinge" method of stepping the mast. We've rigged and de-rigged the boat twice already, and it just seems to be more difficult than it should be. Can you good people let me know if there are any "tricks" I am missing in the process? Or is there a piece or two I may be missing off this old boat that makes the job easier? I find myself physically lifting the whole spar to get it in and out of place, while the boat owner is pulling with his strength on the line attached to the headstay. (An old halyard off my dad's '72 C & C 39) Please Help! We have no C-22 literature, although I'm ordering the CatalinaDirect Owner's Manual tomorrow morning! Thanks!
 
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Keith K.

You might be missing a piece.

There is a pole with a "v" at the top that fits into the rudder hinges when trailering the boat. This is also used to help step the mast. Here's how I do it (and how my Catalina direct book describes how to do it): 1. Slide the mast off the Bow Pulpit and put the bottom end into the mast step. 2. The top end of the mast is now supported by the pole at the stern. 3. Insert the nast step bolt. 4. Pull on the forestay while a buddy pushes the mast up from behind. 5. Secure the foretay and the two forward lower shrouds. 6. Sail! If you don't have the mast support pole at the stern, it will be much more difficult to step the mast. Hope this helps. Keith K. S/V Vesta
 
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brad

As Keith says, a support aft may help

All you really need is a 2 x 4 crutch back there or maybe a piece of 4" PVC pipe...you can make your own, but they sell real nice metal crutches that telescope and can get the business end of the mast up in the air a ways before you even start raising. It allows you to get a pretty good jump on raising the mast....better positioning, etc. Another thing that will make it easy is to use a block and tackle (your boom vang may be long enough) to attach to the forestay and haul it up with that mechanical advantage. Combined with the crutch mentioned, it takes a lot of the grunt work out of it. That all said, the easy way since it's only a 22 is with two guys, to just muscle it up. You aren't getting much help from one guy tugging on the forestay until the darned thing is nearly up anyway. The two of you should just grab the mast and push it up into the air. The only tricky part is getting from the cockpit to the top of the cabin....that's a long step and the block and tackle allow you to hold the mast halfway up while you negotiate that shift in footing. Good luck, Brad
 
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John Baker

Thanks a lot, men

Like it says in the title, I appreciate you guys taking the time to offer your suggestions. I am kicking myself for not thinking of putting some kind of a boomkin (who am I calling a bumpkin, lol) back there. Thanks again.
 
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bob

none

I have a 8' 2/4 cut in half and hinged. This sits in the rudder gudgeons and supports the mast when on the trailor. When we step the mast i swing it up and lock it in place with a pin this has the mast partially raised. I then use the winch on the trailor and crank it up. I am missing the gin pole so having it part way up lets me use the winch. Reverse the process when dropping it mast. I leave the backstay at the correct length so mast goes to where I want it and stops. hope this helps
 
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Campy

Mast Raising on a C-22

My 12 year old daughter and I raise the mast on #2226 together in about 15 minutes of prepping. Keep the aft lower shrouds on, they'll help with keeping the mast from flopping over to the side. (not much) I don't use an extender instead I straddle the mast, once it's in the hinge, standing on the coach roof as far aft as I can. I place the forstay over my shoulder, the end of it being attached to the main sheet which is attached to the headsail tack shackle. After clearing all lines and shrouds for hangups, she hauls the line I pull up and up goes the mast. BOINK! Done. She locks the line in the cam. I fasten and tighten up the turnbuckles. Campy out.
 
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Dick of Sylvan

A-Frame

You can also build a simple A-Frame with the legs about 8 ft long, and with clips where the two attach (using a bolt to attach the two legs at the top works), on which to attach your forestay and a line to pull on. Place the A upright where the legs can be tied into the plates where the forward shrouds attach. Slide mast into step and place in bolt. Attach lower shrouds to plates for lateral stability, make sure all stays and shrouds are clear and that there are no overhead obstructions or strong winds, then one of you can pull from the front while one lifts the mast from the cockpit area without a lot of strain on either, especially if you have also used the rudder gudgeons pole trick mentioned by others. There is an alternate commercial pole device that attaches to the front of the mast that results in a similar angle force to the pulling from the front which is said to work well, though costs a bit more than making a simple A (I made mine from two small dead lodgepole pines, sort of like Teepee poles). Dick
 
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