I am a new owner of a 29 foot Ericson Sloop. Prior to this I have owned smaller boats where raising the mast is not difficult. The mast on the Ericson obviously is fairly long and heavy. How would one go about raising the mast? I know I can have a yard do it but I am the self sufficient type and would rather not spend the money if I don't have to. I figured I would use the jib halyard attached to a point on the bow. Put a 2x4 from the mast step out about 8 feet under the halyard to increase the pulling angle. Then have 2 lines, one to each side to control movement from side to side with one guy on this. Also another guy to get the lift started. Does this sound like it will work, is there more needed, or should I just have the yard do it with their crane. The mast weighs a couple hundred pounds and the last thing I need is for it to go over the side. Once it is up it would obviously stay up while the boat is on its mooring. Thanks
Raise a mast
- Thread starter maccauley123
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Tim, that kind of work is only for an emergency
One slip on anybodies part and there goes 10 times the money you are trying to save. Use the yard. And I had an Ericson 29. Good size mast.
One slip on anybodies part and there goes 10 times the money you are trying to save. Use the yard. And I had an Ericson 29. Good size mast.
Mast raising on a 29' Ericson
Is the mast stepped on deck? The MacGregor series up to 26' has a deck stepped mast and is designed with a self-raising system that can be operated by one person whether the boat is afloat or on its trailer. You might check their web site for details. The Ericson 29 is quite a few steps beyond the MacGregor 26. My guess is that the mast is much longer and weighs three, four, or five times as much as that on the MacGregor and that the deck height above ground or water is considerably greater. If I had access to a gin pole or other similar hoisting arrangement that would support the weight of the mast while it is being maneuvered into place, then I'd feel safe in making the attempt. Anything's possible, but relying on a couple of inexperienced friends to maintain an even strain on both sides of the mast would be too frought with peril for me. It's too easy to get into the kind of trouble that could cause considerable damage or injury.
Is the mast stepped on deck? The MacGregor series up to 26' has a deck stepped mast and is designed with a self-raising system that can be operated by one person whether the boat is afloat or on its trailer. You might check their web site for details. The Ericson 29 is quite a few steps beyond the MacGregor 26. My guess is that the mast is much longer and weighs three, four, or five times as much as that on the MacGregor and that the deck height above ground or water is considerably greater. If I had access to a gin pole or other similar hoisting arrangement that would support the weight of the mast while it is being maneuvered into place, then I'd feel safe in making the attempt. Anything's possible, but relying on a couple of inexperienced friends to maintain an even strain on both sides of the mast would be too frought with peril for me. It's too easy to get into the kind of trouble that could cause considerable damage or injury.
Go ahead and try it....
Tim: Go ahead and try it. If you screw up, you may kill yourself or someone else. If you escape injury or death then you may only need $10k for a new mast and damages to the boat. This is sort of like saying why do I need insurance? It is not worth the chance of the liability. You may get away with it but if you do not the consequences can be severe.
Tim: Go ahead and try it. If you screw up, you may kill yourself or someone else. If you escape injury or death then you may only need $10k for a new mast and damages to the boat. This is sort of like saying why do I need insurance? It is not worth the chance of the liability. You may get away with it but if you do not the consequences can be severe.
Point Taken
Thanks all, looks like this is as hard as I thought it might be. Definitely going to have the yard do it. Tim
Thanks all, looks like this is as hard as I thought it might be. Definitely going to have the yard do it. Tim
Spend the money!
Tim spend the money. In my business as a firefighter we call the situation you described "job security." Its death or injury waiting to happen. Spend a few bucks at the yard to have the mast put in place and don't jeopordize your health and well being. Chris Drifter II, SF bay
Tim spend the money. In my business as a firefighter we call the situation you described "job security." Its death or injury waiting to happen. Spend a few bucks at the yard to have the mast put in place and don't jeopordize your health and well being. Chris Drifter II, SF bay
Can't Argue With Being Careful or Prudent
I am stubborn about doing things myself as well. I have seen mast being raised in the slip using the masts of boats on either side to hoist and for lateral support. It would cost you drinks and snacks for the helpers which is sometimes more than you might spend hiring someone. It is sure more fun that way though.
I am stubborn about doing things myself as well. I have seen mast being raised in the slip using the masts of boats on either side to hoist and for lateral support. It would cost you drinks and snacks for the helpers which is sometimes more than you might spend hiring someone. It is sure more fun that way though.
Chris
In police work our job security was liquor. I don't think either one is ever going away. And the liquor is more fun.
In police work our job security was liquor. I don't think either one is ever going away. And the liquor is more fun.
Nearby Bridge ?
Do you have a bridge nearby that does not open. Rig a block and tackle and up she goes. All you need is some friends and a few beers and you had a lot of safe fun.
Do you have a bridge nearby that does not open. Rig a block and tackle and up she goes. All you need is some friends and a few beers and you had a lot of safe fun.
Be safe let the yard do it
If some thing go's wrong it will cost a lot $$$ to replace that mast. Its a lot heavyer pulling that mast up at a angle and it does'nt always go up straight. A freind tried putting up a 30' mast with a small crane that is next to a fixed bridge that is there just for demasting sailboats to go under the bridge and he said he had plenty of help but still did some damamge to the boat and mast so think it out carefully before starting something. I had small boats too but this is a long heavy mast and its not easy let the pros do it. nick
If some thing go's wrong it will cost a lot $$$ to replace that mast. Its a lot heavyer pulling that mast up at a angle and it does'nt always go up straight. A freind tried putting up a 30' mast with a small crane that is next to a fixed bridge that is there just for demasting sailboats to go under the bridge and he said he had plenty of help but still did some damamge to the boat and mast so think it out carefully before starting something. I had small boats too but this is a long heavy mast and its not easy let the pros do it. nick
You can do it with a mast crane
Tim, I am at one of those YCs with a mast crane. Its a DIY club with 125 keelboats that all get hauled every winter with the masts down. The members lower and raise their own masts. With the crane its very doable, but you will need at a minimum a crew of 3 (4 if you have furling) and no strong winds. Having done this dozens of times I certainly agree with the other posts that you shouldn't try this without a crane. Kevin
Tim, I am at one of those YCs with a mast crane. Its a DIY club with 125 keelboats that all get hauled every winter with the masts down. The members lower and raise their own masts. With the crane its very doable, but you will need at a minimum a crew of 3 (4 if you have furling) and no strong winds. Having done this dozens of times I certainly agree with the other posts that you shouldn't try this without a crane. Kevin
Single-handed mast raising...safely
The Hunter 23, a great little boat with one huge flaw...the mast can be a bear to raise. Several systems have been developed over the years by H23 owners to facilitate the process. Most of them can be used single-handed. Check the HOW Photo Forum. Any of these systems should work with a deck-stepped mast and I'm sure that with a little modification they would work for a keel-stepped mast. Peter H23 "Raven"
The Hunter 23, a great little boat with one huge flaw...the mast can be a bear to raise. Several systems have been developed over the years by H23 owners to facilitate the process. Most of them can be used single-handed. Check the HOW Photo Forum. Any of these systems should work with a deck-stepped mast and I'm sure that with a little modification they would work for a keel-stepped mast. Peter H23 "Raven"
peter explain keel stepped mast
I don't understand how you can do keel stepped mast with out some kind of lifting crane. nick
I don't understand how you can do keel stepped mast with out some kind of lifting crane. nick
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