I recently upgraded from a 16 foot sail boat to a Hunter 22, with the 16 footer, i could easily raise the mast by hand, with the hunter having a lot bigger mast, it seems inpossible to do, i did some research and constructed a mast raising system that uses a 6 foot gin pole at a 90 degree angle from the base of the mast, i have a block and tack system to assist in raising the mast, the mast goes up, but bends radically to the port side, almost a foot, not sure what to do, i slowly lowered the mast back into its crutch, didn't want to do any dammage to it or anything, what else could i do to avoid it bending like that? the winds were calm, the boat is on flat ground. i even put in little "baby stays" the same length of the gin pole to prevent the mast from going side to side on its way up, it works, but the top starts to bend about half way up, what am i do to? I had my girlfriend helping me, but i want this to work easily so i can launch in under an hour.
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G
George
Fouled Rigging
Sounds like you did your homework. Once you have raised the mast you will have a feel for the tension on your raising gear, check for a stay that the eye at the top is twisted, that what usually gets me. luck george
Sounds like you did your homework. Once you have raised the mast you will have a feel for the tension on your raising gear, check for a stay that the eye at the top is twisted, that what usually gets me. luck george
B
Bob
Bridle
Your gin pole is falling off to one side and the mast is going with it. What you need to do is triangulate the gin pole sideways - that is, from some point more than halfway up the gin pole run a line to something solid on each side of the boat - a chainplate works well. You want a little slack in these so they have a little range of possible motion, but if the pole tries to fall off too much, this bridle line on the opposite side will keep it (and the mast) from going any further. This will control the top of the mast until it is about halfway up. I'm assuming you have the upper shrouds attached, but very loose, lowers not attached at all. Once you are past 45 degrees or so, they will take over the job of keeping the mast relatively true. I made a model out of sticks and thread before trying this the first time, just to convince myself it would work. It did.
Your gin pole is falling off to one side and the mast is going with it. What you need to do is triangulate the gin pole sideways - that is, from some point more than halfway up the gin pole run a line to something solid on each side of the boat - a chainplate works well. You want a little slack in these so they have a little range of possible motion, but if the pole tries to fall off too much, this bridle line on the opposite side will keep it (and the mast) from going any further. This will control the top of the mast until it is about halfway up. I'm assuming you have the upper shrouds attached, but very loose, lowers not attached at all. Once you are past 45 degrees or so, they will take over the job of keeping the mast relatively true. I made a model out of sticks and thread before trying this the first time, just to convince myself it would work. It did.
S
sailortonyb
I've done this before
I have done this many times before with boats up to the 25 foot range. The safest method i have found was to have two very large Bubba's, one on each side of the mast to steady it. Once the mast gets to about 60 degrees from the horizontal, they should be able to push it up and in place. I think trying it solo can lead to possible damage of the boat or yourself. With the help of these two men, the mast will always be under control. The mast is not that heavy as it is awkward. Actually 2 average size men should do it. If planned out ahead of time..shouldnt take but 10 mins to raise. I usually recruit the help of passer-bys if friends are not handy. Good luck and be careful
I have done this many times before with boats up to the 25 foot range. The safest method i have found was to have two very large Bubba's, one on each side of the mast to steady it. Once the mast gets to about 60 degrees from the horizontal, they should be able to push it up and in place. I think trying it solo can lead to possible damage of the boat or yourself. With the help of these two men, the mast will always be under control. The mast is not that heavy as it is awkward. Actually 2 average size men should do it. If planned out ahead of time..shouldnt take but 10 mins to raise. I usually recruit the help of passer-bys if friends are not handy. Good luck and be careful
Mast Raising with Gin Pole
If you stablize and keep the gin pole centered with a pair of lines from the tip end (not the "pivot end") of the gin pole, the mast should stay pretty much on center as it comes up (or down) -- unless the boat is tipped either to port or starboard. If you're raising/lowering while the boat is on the hard, make sure that it's level. If afloat, balance the boat to keep the mast in-line.
If you stablize and keep the gin pole centered with a pair of lines from the tip end (not the "pivot end") of the gin pole, the mast should stay pretty much on center as it comes up (or down) -- unless the boat is tipped either to port or starboard. If you're raising/lowering while the boat is on the hard, make sure that it's level. If afloat, balance the boat to keep the mast in-line.
M
Mike
A frame the way to go?
well I've been looking around with using an A-frame to steady the mast, that looks good to me to, anything versis a gin pole?
well I've been looking around with using an A-frame to steady the mast, that looks good to me to, anything versis a gin pole?
B
Bob
Take your pick
I raise the mast from the front and use my boom as a gin pole and have a bridle made up out of lifeline wire with clips at the ends. It takes about a minute to attach it. I'm assuming you are raising the mast from the the rear, so an extra pole is necessary. If you want to make up a separate A-frame and the gear to go with it, it will certainly work, but then you have to horse it around and store it. I'm sold on the gin pole, but only when the pole is steadied by a bridle.
I raise the mast from the front and use my boom as a gin pole and have a bridle made up out of lifeline wire with clips at the ends. It takes about a minute to attach it. I'm assuming you are raising the mast from the the rear, so an extra pole is necessary. If you want to make up a separate A-frame and the gear to go with it, it will certainly work, but then you have to horse it around and store it. I'm sold on the gin pole, but only when the pole is steadied by a bridle.
Mast-raising systems
There are at least three homemade systems in the Photo Forum. Each is slightly different but all can be safely operated by one person and can be built for under $100. They were all developed for the H23, but can be modified for just about any boat. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
There are at least three homemade systems in the Photo Forum. Each is slightly different but all can be safely operated by one person and can be built for under $100. They were all developed for the H23, but can be modified for just about any boat. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
Mast-raising systems
There are at least three homemade systems in the Photo Forum. Each is slightly different but all can be safely operated by one person and can be built for under $100. They were all developed for the H23, but can be modified for just about any boat. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
There are at least three homemade systems in the Photo Forum. Each is slightly different but all can be safely operated by one person and can be built for under $100. They were all developed for the H23, but can be modified for just about any boat. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
Easiest way
Have a second person help steady the mast while it is going up or coming down. I've used my son, other boaters, and fisherman. Folks around boats are usually pretty willing to help.
Have a second person help steady the mast while it is going up or coming down. I've used my son, other boaters, and fisherman. Folks around boats are usually pretty willing to help.
K
Kaizen
Macgregor mast raising option
Macgregor has a mast raising option. You can buy it or make one yourself.
Macgregor has a mast raising option. You can buy it or make one yourself.
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