Pulling and Mounting Mast on H33

[Jim Logan]

I'm going to pull the mast and do some mast and rigging rework this winter and since the local boatyard is owned by decendants of Jean Lafitte (local New Orleans joke, but true) I was wondering about experiences with what I want to do - several questions, any experiences/ideas would be appreciated.1. What is a reasonable cost to pull the main, provide space to work on it in the boatyard, and then remount? I've got a 1980 H33, but it has Harken roller furling and an add-on Forespar vertical mainsail furling unit that is permantly attached to the back of the mast. These may complicate the process, but I think it would work the same.2. Since the boat yard is close to my slip(about 3 miles) , would it be dangerous motor my boat back to the slip with all the rigging off for storage - I don't need to leave the boat out of the water to do any other work and don't want to pay the storage fees since I don't want to rush the mast rework which I am going to do myself. It seems it would be no problem in calm waters to move the boat without the mast, but am I correct?Thanks for any input -

 

[Sam Lust]

My perspective, from New Jersey

Here in New Jersey our marina operators are mostly decended from Tony Soprano. I paid $90.00 (may have been only $80, I just hold out a fistfull of money with my eyes closed and he takes what he wants) to step the mast on my 33 this spring. The more convenient marina on the closer side of the river charges at least $95 (and I did most of the work!) and that was a couple of years ago before I got disgusted with them. When slung at the spreaders the mast balances almost perfectly. Quite easy to tip up and down.Item 2 -- A boat is a boat. It really couldn't care less whether it's wearing it's mast or not. Without a mast it's pretty much a trawler. It will simply feel different because it won't have that long upside down pendulum swinging back and forth. I motor mine out to the bay with the mast laid down on supports on deck just about every season. (One last look, you know.) If the mast is left in the yard there's no problem at all. If it's laid on deck make absolutely sure there are no strings or wires hanging in the water to catch the prop and bend the strut to the tune of $250.00. Not that anyone who frequents this site would be silly enough to do that!

 

[David Foster]

Mastless motoring is fine

The boat moves quicker in the waves without a stick, but the stability is actually a little better.Took Lady Lillie 5 miles on Lake Erie to and from the yard for modifications this spring - no sweat!DavidLady Lillie'77 h27

 

[Don Bodemann]

Another Jersey voice

Unfortunetly, I also will be pulling the big stick this year and anticipate paying $150.Fa-geta-bout it!

 

[Eric]

My Jersey trip

Brought my boat from New Jersey, up the Hudson and had the mast unstepped near Catskill, NY. Then I proceeded to motor 300 more miles to get the boat into Cayuga Lake. The cost up and the cost down were the same: $90.One thing to keep in mind with the mast on deck is to NOT move the boat in bad weather (wind and waves). A mastless sailboat tends to act more like a cork and if it starts to sway back and forth too much ... you can lose your entire mast.This has happened to many sailors trying to cross Oneida Lake near Syracuse. The west wind gets the boat rolling and sailors have been know to make it to Brewerton pulling their mast behind them in the water. This is bad.Almost happened to me ... check the link.