I want to pull my mast and check the standing rigging. Any suggestions on on how and what to look for would be appreciated
Pulling the mast
- Thread starter Frank15180
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I take mine down
I store my 85 H31 for the winter with the mast down. It's easy enough to do yourself (with three helpers)if your marina has a mast crane that you can use. The mast is very top-heavy, so make sure you attach the crane pretty high up. I go up in a bosun's chair and tie a 1/2" line in a big loop just below the upper spreaders. The crane gets attached to that loop, and the other end of the line gets tied to the bottom of the mast. I loop it a few times through the bracket on the aft side of the mast and tie it off there. Then with tension on the line from the crane, I loosen the turnbuckles, pull the pins, and lift it slowly until it's clear of all the deck fittings. Then slowly crank the crane down until the mast is resting on the stern and bow pulpits. Once you've done it once it's a pretty straghtforward procedure. Before putting the mast up in the spring, I check all the upper turnbuckles for wear, and make sure they all have pins in them and are taped. I check the light bulbs for the anchor and steaming light; check all the attachment screws for the wind indicator and masthead antenna; check all the masthead sheaves for cracks or wear; check all the standing rigging cables for kinks or "meathooks". And check any screws that may have vibrated loose during the season. Put locktite on threads if necessary. I also clean and lubricate the track for the mainsail slides. It gives me a lot of peace of mind to know the mast and rigging are in good shape at the start of each season. And if you mark your turnbuckles with tape before you take the rig down, it's a piece of cake to re-tune it when you put it back up. Tom Madura s/v Good Vices
I store my 85 H31 for the winter with the mast down. It's easy enough to do yourself (with three helpers)if your marina has a mast crane that you can use. The mast is very top-heavy, so make sure you attach the crane pretty high up. I go up in a bosun's chair and tie a 1/2" line in a big loop just below the upper spreaders. The crane gets attached to that loop, and the other end of the line gets tied to the bottom of the mast. I loop it a few times through the bracket on the aft side of the mast and tie it off there. Then with tension on the line from the crane, I loosen the turnbuckles, pull the pins, and lift it slowly until it's clear of all the deck fittings. Then slowly crank the crane down until the mast is resting on the stern and bow pulpits. Once you've done it once it's a pretty straghtforward procedure. Before putting the mast up in the spring, I check all the upper turnbuckles for wear, and make sure they all have pins in them and are taped. I check the light bulbs for the anchor and steaming light; check all the attachment screws for the wind indicator and masthead antenna; check all the masthead sheaves for cracks or wear; check all the standing rigging cables for kinks or "meathooks". And check any screws that may have vibrated loose during the season. Put locktite on threads if necessary. I also clean and lubricate the track for the mainsail slides. It gives me a lot of peace of mind to know the mast and rigging are in good shape at the start of each season. And if you mark your turnbuckles with tape before you take the rig down, it's a piece of cake to re-tune it when you put it back up. Tom Madura s/v Good Vices
thanks
Thanks I knew some one from the cold side of the country would be taking there mast down way more often then we in the rainy Northwest
Thanks I knew some one from the cold side of the country would be taking there mast down way more often then we in the rainy Northwest
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