I purchased a 23 foot O'Day three years ago, been sitting on the trailer on dry dock. I am now in the process of cleaning her up and putting her to water. I am by my self, need a suggestion in hoisting the mast, myself and locking her down. I haven't tried lifting the mast. Can it be done alone. Can't wait to set sail. Rob Sylvester Lexington, TN
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- Jan 22, 2008
- 519
solo mast raising
Raising the mast alone is accomplished with the shrouds port and starboard always attached, slide the mast back so that the rear pin lines up in the tabernacle, and insert it. This task is easier if you can rest the back of the mast in a mast support through the gudgeons. Attach a line between the headshackle end of the jib halyard (where it usually attaches to the sail) and the stemhead, and grasp the other end of the halyard tail in one hand taking up the slack, as you walk the mast up with the other hand. If you have winches take a wrap or two around the winch to assist you. When it is upright, cleat the halyard, (which will hold the mast in place), insert the forward tabernacle pin, and go to the bow and attach the forestay to the stemhead. Release the halyard and remove the short bit of line you used to extend it. (Reverse the process to walk the mast down into the rear mast support before trailering. See pictures at the following site. Although the size of the boat is different, the principles are the same. http://groups.msn.com/RogerConrad/shoebox.msnw
Raising the mast alone is accomplished with the shrouds port and starboard always attached, slide the mast back so that the rear pin lines up in the tabernacle, and insert it. This task is easier if you can rest the back of the mast in a mast support through the gudgeons. Attach a line between the headshackle end of the jib halyard (where it usually attaches to the sail) and the stemhead, and grasp the other end of the halyard tail in one hand taking up the slack, as you walk the mast up with the other hand. If you have winches take a wrap or two around the winch to assist you. When it is upright, cleat the halyard, (which will hold the mast in place), insert the forward tabernacle pin, and go to the bow and attach the forestay to the stemhead. Release the halyard and remove the short bit of line you used to extend it. (Reverse the process to walk the mast down into the rear mast support before trailering. See pictures at the following site. Although the size of the boat is different, the principles are the same. http://groups.msn.com/RogerConrad/shoebox.msnw
Fore, not Aft
I don't know if all O23's are the same, but on my 1982 model the fitting on the mast where the lower end of the boom vang attaches will not allow the mast to be affixed from the aft and then pushed forward. The fitting would dig into the coachroof when the mast is laying flat. I push the mast forward, resting on the pulpit, insert the forward tabernacle pin, attach the forestay, then raise the mast towards the rear of the boat. There is also a method by which you can use the boom as a gin pole and the mainsheet to pull the mast up. e-mail me if you want details. chris@durbin.com
I don't know if all O23's are the same, but on my 1982 model the fitting on the mast where the lower end of the boom vang attaches will not allow the mast to be affixed from the aft and then pushed forward. The fitting would dig into the coachroof when the mast is laying flat. I push the mast forward, resting on the pulpit, insert the forward tabernacle pin, attach the forestay, then raise the mast towards the rear of the boat. There is also a method by which you can use the boom as a gin pole and the mainsheet to pull the mast up. e-mail me if you want details. chris@durbin.com
my 2 cents
I am in the same predicament as you. I looked all over on line and wasn't satisfied with what I found. I finally got disgusted and went out and notched a 2x4 about eight feet tall. Proped it under the mast in the cockpit, because that was where my mast was last lowered and inserted the rear pin and then just lifted the thing up. It was not too hard. Next time I'll lower it forward and us the boom as a lever and I think it will be easier to do by my self. I'm sure you have seen the info on this. You need a line from the top of the mast to the aft end of the boom ( boom topping lift ) and I think you could lever it up pretty easily. After lifting the mast like I did the other day I'll probably just lift it without the boom. But if you are worried it might be too heavy use the leverage. Well that was long winded for someone who doesn't really know what he is talking about. W
I am in the same predicament as you. I looked all over on line and wasn't satisfied with what I found. I finally got disgusted and went out and notched a 2x4 about eight feet tall. Proped it under the mast in the cockpit, because that was where my mast was last lowered and inserted the rear pin and then just lifted the thing up. It was not too hard. Next time I'll lower it forward and us the boom as a lever and I think it will be easier to do by my self. I'm sure you have seen the info on this. You need a line from the top of the mast to the aft end of the boom ( boom topping lift ) and I think you could lever it up pretty easily. After lifting the mast like I did the other day I'll probably just lift it without the boom. But if you are worried it might be too heavy use the leverage. Well that was long winded for someone who doesn't really know what he is talking about. W
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