raising mast
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Often MacGregor sailboats have a mast raising apparatus to make it a one person job, but here is the basics of raising a deck stepped (hinged) mast.....
You attach the backstay and at least the upper side stays. You can also attach the inner or lower forestays, but that also can be done later. Basically, after attaching what I have detailed, you need to walk the mast from stern towards bow like a ladder. The more people you have to help the easier it is. Someone can be on the foredeck pulling on the forestay and then when the mast is up, the people behind the mast push forward to keep it in place (it cannot go too far forward with the backstay attached). Then someone puts the forestay clevis pin in place and the mast is up. You need to tune the rig and for a boat like yours, you can do it by eye ball, or you can buy/borrow or steal an owner's manual with graphs to let you know how. Another topic.
You attach the backstay and at least the upper side stays. You can also attach the inner or lower forestays, but that also can be done later. Basically, after attaching what I have detailed, you need to walk the mast from stern towards bow like a ladder. The more people you have to help the easier it is. Someone can be on the foredeck pulling on the forestay and then when the mast is up, the people behind the mast push forward to keep it in place (it cannot go too far forward with the backstay attached). Then someone puts the forestay clevis pin in place and the mast is up. You need to tune the rig and for a boat like yours, you can do it by eye ball, or you can buy/borrow or steal an owner's manual with graphs to let you know how. Another topic.
thanks Bill. when I bought the boat the old owner did it by himself but I have not used the boad for over a year and have forgoten how to attach the post and line to the trailer winch .
I think their is a video floating around there some were. Also there is macgregor printed instructions, I used these the first time, but I was a bit confused by them. I have a 26 s and usually attach the shorter stays first and leave the back stay off. It doesn't seem the mast can fall forward once it is standing. I guess anything is possible though. I usually leave it loose so I can put my roller furler on first. For me the most important thing are the two ropes tied down to the deck to the cleats on the mast. It's in the macgregor directions. I'll look to see if I can find it for you. If you don't have these ropes tight and you raise the mast yourself it is very easy for the boom to swing sideways and rip the foot out of the deck way before the side stays take up any of the tension
http://www.macgregorsailors.com/manuals/
I think they call them side support lines
but it is probably best to do it with some help...Things can go south pretty quick if you aren't quite sure what to expect the first time. Another thing I always force myself to do is when you are using the winch to lift the mast... if you think the winch is a little tougher to turn than you think it should be....check to make sure all your lines are free. I have winched happily away a few times only to find something hung up and it is now tight enough to play a tune on it.
Katana 750, thanks and i will look for the video. were online did you find the print instructions? The boom is not on. I just want to get the mast up then i will put the boom on the mast. That will be another task that i will need help. Would like to get proficient at riggin before taking the boat out. The marina manager at Chula Vista told me that he will be glad to help me but I would feel comfortable knowing some of the basics. Again, Katana thanks for taking time.
the link you mail got me to the manual. it just open a new can of worms. I did not realize, actually, did not have any idea about the water that needs to fill the balast tanks. Again thanks. im having fun now
I don't know if this is too late but if you type in mast raising on YouTube their is a lot of different mast raising systems,but centerline has a way of raising his mast and also Sumter
Sorry my mistake I meant to say mast . The boom is real easy but definitely ignore it until the mast is up. I would even take some friends for the first time even if it is just to add the extra eyes to watch for something looking weird. Don't get me wrong it is really easy to stand the mast, but I found the first time a bit confusing....that had more to do with reading the directions and it being my first sail boat. That mast isn't very heavy, but it has a massive amount of leverage ie damage
You didn't know these are water ballast boats? Read the manual carefully before putting your boat in the water.the link you mail got me to the manual. it just open a new can of worms. I did not realize, actually, did not have any idea about the water that needs to fill the balast tanks. Again thanks. im having fun now
I don't know how comfortable you are with raising that mast without baby stays, gin poles etc. I bought the 26M mast raising kit from BWY and it works great on my 26S, or a 26D for that matter. It has everything including a ratcheting winch on the gin pole.
If you have a boom vang (4:1) or greater with 3/8” line you a ½ way to your mast raising system. All you need now is a 6’ piece of 1 ¼ ” aluminum or steel tubing to create a gin pole. I used aluminum and filled it with 1 ¼” pine dowel for strength. Place 2 eye loops facing in opposite directions at the top. All I did for the bottom end was to use a PVC ( T) with short extensions to the top of the (T). Run a 3/8” piece of line from the forward deck cleat to the top eye of the gin pole so that it creates a 75 deg +/- angle with the deck. The bottom of the gin pole is placed at the mast step with the baby stays in place. The vang is then attached to the top of the gin pole and mast where the baby stays attach. My boom vang has snap shackles at both ends which make it easy to attach. With the mast pinned in place and held with the stern mast support it is a simple matter to hoist the mast to the vertical.
My boat has a CDI furler so it is a pain to tension the head stay. I use the boom vang to tension the rig by attaching it between the jib halyard and bow cleat. Just tighten the vang until you can pin the head stay with ease, no need for a Johnson bar or any other hardware.
When our fractional rigs are tensioned properly they are very tight and it is suggest that the load be taken off when not sailing. The reverse process is used to de pressure the rig. I made a short link that connects the head stay and chain plate so I don’t have to leave the vang connected.
Hope this helps
Erik
My boat has a CDI furler so it is a pain to tension the head stay. I use the boom vang to tension the rig by attaching it between the jib halyard and bow cleat. Just tighten the vang until you can pin the head stay with ease, no need for a Johnson bar or any other hardware.
When our fractional rigs are tensioned properly they are very tight and it is suggest that the load be taken off when not sailing. The reverse process is used to de pressure the rig. I made a short link that connects the head stay and chain plate so I don’t have to leave the vang connected.
Hope this helps
Erik
I agree with Justin on this.....You really need a gin pole. I think the manual says you can lift the mast by hand or promotional video .....they must work out a lot at Macgregor. Not that is can't be done, but you have to lift it....then hop onto the roof of the boat all the while supporting the weight of the mast and making sure the mast doesn't take off on you and there isn't a ton of room for a crowd of people to help. I'm only 6' and 170 pounds, maybe if I had another 6" and 50 pounds I wouldn't need the gin pole, but the mast does seem to go up in a more controlled manner with it....I tried the other way once....I got it up, but like I said I did it only once...
I can see that all of you have a profound knowledge and greart love for the sailing language.I eventually will join in the language need to be a great comunicator aboutsailing terms and join in . but for now Im getting lost .. I think I hsve a gin pole to help with the riseing on the mast.if not will have a gin drink to help. sincerely thanks for all your assistance.... Yes I will Read the manual again. u tuve could be my best friend.
And for the record, while you could buy the parts and build your own 26M style MRS, I don't think you'd actually save any money replicating it, unless you have the parts laying around, or use wood (though the tube isn't expensive). It's a very cost-effective system to buy ready-to-use.
And don't be tempted to use a cheap-o ratchet winch - if you lose the handle while lowering, it'll spin around wildly and break a body part if you try to stop it, which you probably can't, and/or bend or break the mast or whatever it hits when it comes crashing down, which it definitely will. Use a brake winch only, which stops anywhere you want to, raising or lowering, and holds the load. The 26M system comes with a Dutton-Lainson 350 lb brake winch.
And don't be tempted to use a cheap-o ratchet winch - if you lose the handle while lowering, it'll spin around wildly and break a body part if you try to stop it, which you probably can't, and/or bend or break the mast or whatever it hits when it comes crashing down, which it definitely will. Use a brake winch only, which stops anywhere you want to, raising or lowering, and holds the load. The 26M system comes with a Dutton-Lainson 350 lb brake winch.
To make you feel better I didn't know what a gin pole was....I call it the pole thingy with pulleys on it. I google most of the terminology I see being used here. After a while some of the terms start to stick. My gin pole is like what others have said just a six foot pole with a two pulley system on it....looks similar to a boom vang (google it). The other end just has a u shaped piece of metal that you can bolt to the base of the mast foot. I think there is a picture in the manual on how to use it and where to hook it. It uses the winch that you use to tighten the jib with (front sail). The good thing is after you raise the mast the first time you will have the steps memorized and you won't have to interpret what the manual is telling you and what you are suppose to do. I had a lot of ...what the....that doesn't make sense....that can't be right moments....my first time, but the key is go just go slow.... don't plan on having that mast up in minutes....plan for hours then you won't be in a rush. If something breaks now your talking days.
Don't forget the temporary ropes that stop the mast from swing to the side....I did once I was lucky the mast crashed into me and stopped before it yanked the whole mast base out of the boat....It happened very quick with all the leverage. The side stays don't do a thing until the mast is almost up.
Good luck
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