The starboard mast spreader is knocked out of position, upon getting aloft I found the bolt attached to the mast to be very loose and hard to get at.I figure the best way to repair this is to lower the mast.My question is what is the proper method to lower the mast or a better way to make this repair. This is an old boat and I dont think the mast has been down for quite a while. Any imformation would be appreciated.
- Status
adding a couple of bits and pieces
I get the yard to lower my mast, so I'm no help on that. But I've made a couple of mods at the foot of mine that you might want to consider while the mast's down. First, replacing the mast step with a hinged one (that will probably make any future mast lowerings easier, plus some advantage in tuning etc.). My original step broke - twice! - first one of the ears coming off, then the whole thing cracking. It was due to attaching blocks to the step (halyards led back to the cockpit, etc.) My new one cost $89 from Steve Seal, but you would need to check your mast - different steps for different mast types. A good pre-emptive modification, imho. Second, a step plate to go under the step, and provide you with several places to attach blocks, for example for a cunningham, or for halyard blocks to lead the halyard back. I'm getting one of these this winter. Regarding your spreader bracket: these are pretty notorious on Cal 20s. If your current brackets are original equipment, you'd probably be wise to replace them entirely. A new set of brackets, heavier duty than original equipment, would cost you $39 from Seal. The thing about boats being holes in the water into which you pour money has certainly proven true in my case! But the mods above are relatively good value, as these matters go.
I get the yard to lower my mast, so I'm no help on that. But I've made a couple of mods at the foot of mine that you might want to consider while the mast's down. First, replacing the mast step with a hinged one (that will probably make any future mast lowerings easier, plus some advantage in tuning etc.). My original step broke - twice! - first one of the ears coming off, then the whole thing cracking. It was due to attaching blocks to the step (halyards led back to the cockpit, etc.) My new one cost $89 from Steve Seal, but you would need to check your mast - different steps for different mast types. A good pre-emptive modification, imho. Second, a step plate to go under the step, and provide you with several places to attach blocks, for example for a cunningham, or for halyard blocks to lead the halyard back. I'm getting one of these this winter. Regarding your spreader bracket: these are pretty notorious on Cal 20s. If your current brackets are original equipment, you'd probably be wise to replace them entirely. A new set of brackets, heavier duty than original equipment, would cost you $39 from Seal. The thing about boats being holes in the water into which you pour money has certainly proven true in my case! But the mods above are relatively good value, as these matters go.
A few thoughts on lowering/raising the mast.
If there is a crane handy then your prayers have been answered, but there probably isn't one unless you pay someone with a crane to come to you. I am not sure if the Cal 20' is deck stepped or keel stepped but no matter. I have done this procedure to lower the mast on my 19' Lightning which probably has a slightly lighter mast than yours. - find an overhead stable object at about 3/4 up the height of the mast (I used an oak tree limb about 25' above ground) - position boat so mast is a few feet from your overhang (hopefully you have a trailer) - thread a messenger line over it (I used a fishing pole with a light weight) - tie messenger line to a line long enough to go twice the 3/4s mast height - tie a block to one end of the line - now pull the line over your stable overhead object - thread another line through the block - raise the block (pulley) up to about 3/4 mast height and tie off other end on stable object - make a bowline with the line threaded thru the pulley around the mast below the spreaders. The bowline needs to fit loosely so it will slide up to the spreaders. You want to hold the mast up with this line in the center of the mast or thereabouts. - get one person to take up slack on the line thru the block to the mast (my wife) - now another person goes up and disconnects stays until mast gets wobbly (me) - lift mast out of step while other person takes up slack once all stays are free and cleared away (bungey cords work well for this) - the mast will want to go horizontal which is the object as it can now be safely lowered. You might need an extra control line on one end of the mast. My wife and I have done this twice successfully and she is not that strong or sailorly inclined. This method may be a bit more difficult for raising but in essence it is a DIY crane. If you are near a dock that is say 20 feet above water you could conceivably use the dock to access the middle of the mast instead of my overhead crane idea except the boat is still in the water and thus a bit more unstable for this kind of operation. Some people use a gin (jin) pole setup with an A frame to do this singlehanded. I think that is all I can say for now. Good luck.
If there is a crane handy then your prayers have been answered, but there probably isn't one unless you pay someone with a crane to come to you. I am not sure if the Cal 20' is deck stepped or keel stepped but no matter. I have done this procedure to lower the mast on my 19' Lightning which probably has a slightly lighter mast than yours. - find an overhead stable object at about 3/4 up the height of the mast (I used an oak tree limb about 25' above ground) - position boat so mast is a few feet from your overhang (hopefully you have a trailer) - thread a messenger line over it (I used a fishing pole with a light weight) - tie messenger line to a line long enough to go twice the 3/4s mast height - tie a block to one end of the line - now pull the line over your stable overhead object - thread another line through the block - raise the block (pulley) up to about 3/4 mast height and tie off other end on stable object - make a bowline with the line threaded thru the pulley around the mast below the spreaders. The bowline needs to fit loosely so it will slide up to the spreaders. You want to hold the mast up with this line in the center of the mast or thereabouts. - get one person to take up slack on the line thru the block to the mast (my wife) - now another person goes up and disconnects stays until mast gets wobbly (me) - lift mast out of step while other person takes up slack once all stays are free and cleared away (bungey cords work well for this) - the mast will want to go horizontal which is the object as it can now be safely lowered. You might need an extra control line on one end of the mast. My wife and I have done this twice successfully and she is not that strong or sailorly inclined. This method may be a bit more difficult for raising but in essence it is a DIY crane. If you are near a dock that is say 20 feet above water you could conceivably use the dock to access the middle of the mast instead of my overhead crane idea except the boat is still in the water and thus a bit more unstable for this kind of operation. Some people use a gin (jin) pole setup with an A frame to do this singlehanded. I think that is all I can say for now. Good luck.
Lowering a Cal 20 Mast
Hi Greg, Lowering the Cal 20 mast is easy. It doesn't weight very much, and a reasonsbly strong man can muscle the mast up or down. I have done it several times on my 1965 Cal 20 # 712, and I'm a 72 year old grampa. I have done the same operation on other boats with heavier masts (eg, a Precision 21), and they are a lot harder then the Cal. Much better if you have a helper, not to lift or lower the mast, but make sure the shrouds are clear, and to provide an extra pair of hands if needed. On my boat it's necessary to remove the two forward shrouds, and loosen the aft lowers. The boom should be removed also. If you want extra security, tie a 3/8" line from the end of the forestay, then lash a block to the top of the pulpit rail. Run the line through the block and back to one of the deck top jib winches. Have your helper feed the line out as you lower the mast. Bob
Hi Greg, Lowering the Cal 20 mast is easy. It doesn't weight very much, and a reasonsbly strong man can muscle the mast up or down. I have done it several times on my 1965 Cal 20 # 712, and I'm a 72 year old grampa. I have done the same operation on other boats with heavier masts (eg, a Precision 21), and they are a lot harder then the Cal. Much better if you have a helper, not to lift or lower the mast, but make sure the shrouds are clear, and to provide an extra pair of hands if needed. On my boat it's necessary to remove the two forward shrouds, and loosen the aft lowers. The boom should be removed also. If you want extra security, tie a 3/8" line from the end of the forestay, then lash a block to the top of the pulpit rail. Run the line through the block and back to one of the deck top jib winches. Have your helper feed the line out as you lower the mast. Bob
- Status