I am seriously considering having our furling boom converted to slab reefing with lazy jacks. I have no experience with ever having to pull a mast, but pull we must do to install a new luff track. (Current one is substandard). What can I expect a typical boat yard to charge to pull the mast?? How long does it usually take?
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I just had mine pulled
It was around $100, not a bad deal. The whole process took about an hour including my prep work (removing boom, loosening stays, etc...). The Marina manager and a worker came with a giant fork lift, tied a line to one of the forks, positioned the fork near the mast, made knot around the mast, and raised the fork/knot combo to about spreader level. The manager then with the end of the line tightened the knot and had the worker raised the fork slightly. We disconnected all the shrouds/stays now that the mast was supported. The manager instructed the worker to raise the forklift some more and it took a little persuasion but the mast finally disconnected from the step. They held it in place while I disconnected all the wiring (I had a wood block with me to place between the mast and the step during this process just in case something let go). With the mast now free we were able to maneuver it down onto the deck. It's definitely worth the expense. I can now check all of the rigging, inspect and replace any wiring, bulbs, fixtures, and also inspect and replace any sheets if necessary. Can't wait to get it back up though... Manny
It was around $100, not a bad deal. The whole process took about an hour including my prep work (removing boom, loosening stays, etc...). The Marina manager and a worker came with a giant fork lift, tied a line to one of the forks, positioned the fork near the mast, made knot around the mast, and raised the fork/knot combo to about spreader level. The manager then with the end of the line tightened the knot and had the worker raised the fork slightly. We disconnected all the shrouds/stays now that the mast was supported. The manager instructed the worker to raise the forklift some more and it took a little persuasion but the mast finally disconnected from the step. They held it in place while I disconnected all the wiring (I had a wood block with me to place between the mast and the step during this process just in case something let go). With the mast now free we were able to maneuver it down onto the deck. It's definitely worth the expense. I can now check all of the rigging, inspect and replace any wiring, bulbs, fixtures, and also inspect and replace any sheets if necessary. Can't wait to get it back up though... Manny
IN RI
I had mine pulled for the first time this year. It is a Legend 37 w/split backstay, fractional rig, 2 sets of spreaders and 3 shrouds on each side (to give you an idea of the work required). The cost was $4.50/ft each way plus labor. Then there was the $80 to rack store it for the winter. Prices include a crane. I wasn't there, so I can only guess it took 1-1/2 to 2 hours to move the boat to the lift, pull it. The guys set it on horses for me to work on it before storing it. The cost is the same no matter what type of rig is stored. BTW, I have a 54 ft. mast.
I had mine pulled for the first time this year. It is a Legend 37 w/split backstay, fractional rig, 2 sets of spreaders and 3 shrouds on each side (to give you an idea of the work required). The cost was $4.50/ft each way plus labor. Then there was the $80 to rack store it for the winter. Prices include a crane. I wasn't there, so I can only guess it took 1-1/2 to 2 hours to move the boat to the lift, pull it. The guys set it on horses for me to work on it before storing it. The cost is the same no matter what type of rig is stored. BTW, I have a 54 ft. mast.
Usually more expensive
Here on Long Island I am used to higher prices than say Bucks County PA. $100 doesn't get the mast up or down. $4.50 to $6.50 a foot each way is more realistic. Additional charges for Radar $75 to $100. They'll cut your antenna instrument and light cables whether you have connectors or not. Find a yard which likes sailboats - there are a few stories around here about how "Mike" almost dropped a mast on his worker. Why are you changing from furling to conventional?
Here on Long Island I am used to higher prices than say Bucks County PA. $100 doesn't get the mast up or down. $4.50 to $6.50 a foot each way is more realistic. Additional charges for Radar $75 to $100. They'll cut your antenna instrument and light cables whether you have connectors or not. Find a yard which likes sailboats - there are a few stories around here about how "Mike" almost dropped a mast on his worker. Why are you changing from furling to conventional?
do the prep work...
If you do all the prep work yourself, the yard is less likely to cut or destroy anything. Unhook all cables, tightly tape to mast in a fashion that they can get out the hole without trouble. Pull the pins and loosen the rig. Run messenger lines to reduce weight. If you have time/ability, climb the rig and take off annemometer and windex and stuff- do so... if not, no biggie. The yard will appreciate the help- which will make things go smoother. I agree that it shouldn't cost more than $200-250 out and the same back in. If anyone wants to charge you more than that, ask around. Rigging company will do a great job, but will not be cheaper. Plan to spend double at that point. Just $0.02 Bill
If you do all the prep work yourself, the yard is less likely to cut or destroy anything. Unhook all cables, tightly tape to mast in a fashion that they can get out the hole without trouble. Pull the pins and loosen the rig. Run messenger lines to reduce weight. If you have time/ability, climb the rig and take off annemometer and windex and stuff- do so... if not, no biggie. The yard will appreciate the help- which will make things go smoother. I agree that it shouldn't cost more than $200-250 out and the same back in. If anyone wants to charge you more than that, ask around. Rigging company will do a great job, but will not be cheaper. Plan to spend double at that point. Just $0.02 Bill
Response to Shemandr
We are converting it because it is literally impossible to crank the sail up or down using the current system. It's just a lousy design (Sto-Boom). The continuous loop line that unwinds the sail is so taut, and it has so much strain on it, that turning the winch is just too difficult without several other people helping out. If you loosen the line at all it's too loose and the furler just slips. We went to the boat to sail about 2 dozen times last season, only to change our minds once we got on the boat...all because of the boom furling. I read a post somewhere on the internet from a guy that literally had to slice his mainsail during high winds to save himself (and his boat) because he could not get his sail down due to the boom furler. That was enough for me. We bought the boat to sail her - not to sit pierside and drink beer, hence the conversion. Thanks to all for the feedback. I know it will be expensive to do the whole job (haven't gotten the estimate from the sailmaker yet) but I couldn't even guess as to the cost of pulling the mast. (Whole job is recutting the sail as necessary, installing full battens, reef points, lazy jack system and new luff track).
We are converting it because it is literally impossible to crank the sail up or down using the current system. It's just a lousy design (Sto-Boom). The continuous loop line that unwinds the sail is so taut, and it has so much strain on it, that turning the winch is just too difficult without several other people helping out. If you loosen the line at all it's too loose and the furler just slips. We went to the boat to sail about 2 dozen times last season, only to change our minds once we got on the boat...all because of the boom furling. I read a post somewhere on the internet from a guy that literally had to slice his mainsail during high winds to save himself (and his boat) because he could not get his sail down due to the boom furler. That was enough for me. We bought the boat to sail her - not to sit pierside and drink beer, hence the conversion. Thanks to all for the feedback. I know it will be expensive to do the whole job (haven't gotten the estimate from the sailmaker yet) but I couldn't even guess as to the cost of pulling the mast. (Whole job is recutting the sail as necessary, installing full battens, reef points, lazy jack system and new luff track).
What Model Boat
I was wondering what boat you have,yes I have heard that some of the older model in boom furling are trouble and if not set up right are hard to use. If you are looking to go full battens also look into some type of roller system for the sail track,full battens can also be a lot of work raising the sail. If you call some yards around your area they will tell you how much to drop the mast some $$ per ft.
I was wondering what boat you have,yes I have heard that some of the older model in boom furling are trouble and if not set up right are hard to use. If you are looking to go full battens also look into some type of roller system for the sail track,full battens can also be a lot of work raising the sail. If you call some yards around your area they will tell you how much to drop the mast some $$ per ft.
What makes the luff track substandard?
Is it possible to modify the luff track with the mast standing?
Is it possible to modify the luff track with the mast standing?
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