I'm looking for information concerning a system that will allow one person to raise the mast on my 2o ft O'Day? Any assistance would be highly appreciated.
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Mast raising alone
Bob, When I first got my boat I needed a way to raise my mast alone because I didn't belong to a club at the time and didn't have a mooring. I just wanted to trailer my sailboat to my favorite launching ramp every weekend and when it was time to come home, I wanted my boat to come back with me. The first thing that I needed to do was provide some kind of a mast holder on my stern rail that could be raised to an angle that would allow me to connect the mast Tabernacle pin. A couple of years ago I improved on the mast holder by adding a small roller to it. Now I can roll my mast back into position, instead of lifting it and walking it back. A lot of guys used to take the Jib halyard and connect it to the bow stem plate for the mast lifting process and this is OK provided that you have plenty of halyard. So, my answer to this problem was to get a single sheave block and attach it to the bow stem plate, and take a 60 foot 3/8 inch nylon line with an eye splice on the end, and attach it to my Jib halyard shackle. I raised the Jib halyard to the top and cleated it off at the mast. Now; with all the stays attached except the fore stay of course, which should be bungeed to the mast at reaching distance, I would stand on the cabin with the nylon line in my left hand, and pick up the mast and start bringing it up easy while observing all the stays and turnbuckles for possible kinks or snags. I would get my shoulder into it and when the mast got to an appropriate angle, I would now start pulling on the line. When the mast was up and in position, I needed a way to hold it there temporarily so that I could connect my fore stay. So I took the pulling line and brought it behind the mast and above the Goose neck fitting so that it wouldn't slide down the mast, and attached the line to the Starboard bow cleat after pulling the line up tight. Then I was able to connect my fore stay with a push button "Quick-lock" pin, instead of a regular rigging pin with a cotter pin. I needed a way to put slack in my fore stay to be able to take it off and connect it. So I went to a rigger and he suggested that I install a Johnson Handy-Lock on my fore stay under my regular turnbuckle. With the Handy-lock, I could throw enough slack in the fore stay to connect or disconnect, and never have to touch my other stays. Handy-Locks are expensive and the guy sold me a used one, but it's worked all these years. Now; the most important thing that you have to always remember is the wind direction. When the mast is being raised or half way lowered, the stays are slack and nothing will prevent the mast from going over side ways and breaking your Tabernacle off. So you always want the wind coming from directly behind the stern of the boat when you do any mast raising/lowering. If you're handy with tools, and can build the necessary things that are needed to make your boat easy as well as fast to rig, a lot of this only takes some imagination and minor skills to accomplish. There are other ways of mast raising that involve a Gin Pole and although it may be less strenuous, it's just a little more time consuming than the process that I just described to you. If you decide to look into other ways of mast raising/lowering, check out "The Sailor's sketchbook" by Bruce Bingham. Smooth Sailing! Joe
Bob, When I first got my boat I needed a way to raise my mast alone because I didn't belong to a club at the time and didn't have a mooring. I just wanted to trailer my sailboat to my favorite launching ramp every weekend and when it was time to come home, I wanted my boat to come back with me. The first thing that I needed to do was provide some kind of a mast holder on my stern rail that could be raised to an angle that would allow me to connect the mast Tabernacle pin. A couple of years ago I improved on the mast holder by adding a small roller to it. Now I can roll my mast back into position, instead of lifting it and walking it back. A lot of guys used to take the Jib halyard and connect it to the bow stem plate for the mast lifting process and this is OK provided that you have plenty of halyard. So, my answer to this problem was to get a single sheave block and attach it to the bow stem plate, and take a 60 foot 3/8 inch nylon line with an eye splice on the end, and attach it to my Jib halyard shackle. I raised the Jib halyard to the top and cleated it off at the mast. Now; with all the stays attached except the fore stay of course, which should be bungeed to the mast at reaching distance, I would stand on the cabin with the nylon line in my left hand, and pick up the mast and start bringing it up easy while observing all the stays and turnbuckles for possible kinks or snags. I would get my shoulder into it and when the mast got to an appropriate angle, I would now start pulling on the line. When the mast was up and in position, I needed a way to hold it there temporarily so that I could connect my fore stay. So I took the pulling line and brought it behind the mast and above the Goose neck fitting so that it wouldn't slide down the mast, and attached the line to the Starboard bow cleat after pulling the line up tight. Then I was able to connect my fore stay with a push button "Quick-lock" pin, instead of a regular rigging pin with a cotter pin. I needed a way to put slack in my fore stay to be able to take it off and connect it. So I went to a rigger and he suggested that I install a Johnson Handy-Lock on my fore stay under my regular turnbuckle. With the Handy-lock, I could throw enough slack in the fore stay to connect or disconnect, and never have to touch my other stays. Handy-Locks are expensive and the guy sold me a used one, but it's worked all these years. Now; the most important thing that you have to always remember is the wind direction. When the mast is being raised or half way lowered, the stays are slack and nothing will prevent the mast from going over side ways and breaking your Tabernacle off. So you always want the wind coming from directly behind the stern of the boat when you do any mast raising/lowering. If you're handy with tools, and can build the necessary things that are needed to make your boat easy as well as fast to rig, a lot of this only takes some imagination and minor skills to accomplish. There are other ways of mast raising that involve a Gin Pole and although it may be less strenuous, it's just a little more time consuming than the process that I just described to you. If you decide to look into other ways of mast raising/lowering, check out "The Sailor's sketchbook" by Bruce Bingham. Smooth Sailing! Joe
check the archives
This topic has gotten a lot of time over the years. Look under forums then archives. Search raising the mast. You'll get lots of discussion and some drawings. Choose well, tearing a hole in your cabin roof is a buzz kill. Mike
This topic has gotten a lot of time over the years. Look under forums then archives. Search raising the mast. You'll get lots of discussion and some drawings. Choose well, tearing a hole in your cabin roof is a buzz kill. Mike
Do you have an extendable mast crutch...
....ike the one that you can see in Chuck's pictures? The spar on the masthead rigged 20 is about the same size as the one on the fractional rigged 192 and I have been managing fine with the help of that style of mast crutch. Starting with the mast at about a 30 degree angle moves the weight quickly on to the mast step. I use the jib halyard (hooked to the bow) to help with raising and, especially, lowering safely. One place the extendable crutches are available from is a company called MastUP! in Oregon. You can also buy them through Catalina Direct.
....ike the one that you can see in Chuck's pictures? The spar on the masthead rigged 20 is about the same size as the one on the fractional rigged 192 and I have been managing fine with the help of that style of mast crutch. Starting with the mast at about a 30 degree angle moves the weight quickly on to the mast step. I use the jib halyard (hooked to the bow) to help with raising and, especially, lowering safely. One place the extendable crutches are available from is a company called MastUP! in Oregon. You can also buy them through Catalina Direct.
Spar Suppliers - California Boats
Chuck, My California built 192 has the same stainless steel mast step as your 222. Although I've seen no markings on that part, many of the other spar fittings are labelled "Dwyer". In answer to your post that is now several layers below this - Yes, the 192 has a V-berth, 2 quarter berths and not much else. The porta=potty is under a lift-out panel in the v-berth. To see a photo, you can check out the factory brochure at: http://www.msogphotosite.com/MSOG/pdfpage/oday192bro.pdf
Chuck, My California built 192 has the same stainless steel mast step as your 222. Although I've seen no markings on that part, many of the other spar fittings are labelled "Dwyer". In answer to your post that is now several layers below this - Yes, the 192 has a V-berth, 2 quarter berths and not much else. The porta=potty is under a lift-out panel in the v-berth. To see a photo, you can check out the factory brochure at: http://www.msogphotosite.com/MSOG/pdfpage/oday192bro.pdf
close up pics of gin pole
i am thinking of making a gin pole for my oday 20. i am not sure how to attach it to the mast, how long to make it (i assume no longer than the distance from mast to the front stay attachment point), and how it is actually rigged (ie do you pull on the front stay or jib halyard? do you run a line through a block and back to a winch?) if anyone has some close up pictures on the details of making a gin pole i would be interested. thanks.
i am thinking of making a gin pole for my oday 20. i am not sure how to attach it to the mast, how long to make it (i assume no longer than the distance from mast to the front stay attachment point), and how it is actually rigged (ie do you pull on the front stay or jib halyard? do you run a line through a block and back to a winch?) if anyone has some close up pictures on the details of making a gin pole i would be interested. thanks.
thanks for the close up pics
thanks for the close up pic joe. this helped alot and i think i understand how it works now.
thanks for the close up pic joe. this helped alot and i think i understand how it works now.
The Gin Pole is.....
based on a very simple principle. It allows a wider angle to lift a mast. without the Gin Pole, the pulling angle would be too acute. In the picture, it shows a bridle on my Gin Pole attached to a point near my side stays. I use a pivot bridles on both sides of my boat and the steel rings on the bridles come even with the bottom center of my mast. I also have lines from the bridle rings that attach to my lower stays and the forward tip of my Gin Pole. This makes my mast raising very stable. This is very important to me because I have a CDI Roller Furler on my mast and I need the stability for that, but for the O'Day 20 you could get away with just the Gin Pole and no bridles are needed. The boat winch is good for raising the mast, but I much prefer the block and tackle only because it allows me to stand behind the mast with the pulling line in my hand as the mast goes up. I can stop the mast at any position and lock it off if, say one of the stays should get snagged. As I mentioned previously though; two important things to keep in mind is to secure the Gin Pole crotch to the mast so that it doesn't pull out, and to always have the wind coming directly from the stern of the boat. If you need any pictures or plans of the Gin Pole, just email me and I'll be glad to send them to you. Keep in mind that the length of my Gin Pole which is 74 inches I believe, is best suited for my 222. The pole should be withing a few inches of the fore stay when it's mounted to your mast. I plan on making another Gin Pole out of 1 inch Stainless Steel Pipe with a welded sleeve in the center with a pin so that it comes apart. The Gin Pole that I have now is made of Oak and it comes apart for easy stowing, but it's a little on the heavy side. Good luck! Joe
based on a very simple principle. It allows a wider angle to lift a mast. without the Gin Pole, the pulling angle would be too acute. In the picture, it shows a bridle on my Gin Pole attached to a point near my side stays. I use a pivot bridles on both sides of my boat and the steel rings on the bridles come even with the bottom center of my mast. I also have lines from the bridle rings that attach to my lower stays and the forward tip of my Gin Pole. This makes my mast raising very stable. This is very important to me because I have a CDI Roller Furler on my mast and I need the stability for that, but for the O'Day 20 you could get away with just the Gin Pole and no bridles are needed. The boat winch is good for raising the mast, but I much prefer the block and tackle only because it allows me to stand behind the mast with the pulling line in my hand as the mast goes up. I can stop the mast at any position and lock it off if, say one of the stays should get snagged. As I mentioned previously though; two important things to keep in mind is to secure the Gin Pole crotch to the mast so that it doesn't pull out, and to always have the wind coming directly from the stern of the boat. If you need any pictures or plans of the Gin Pole, just email me and I'll be glad to send them to you. Keep in mind that the length of my Gin Pole which is 74 inches I believe, is best suited for my 222. The pole should be withing a few inches of the fore stay when it's mounted to your mast. I plan on making another Gin Pole out of 1 inch Stainless Steel Pipe with a welded sleeve in the center with a pin so that it comes apart. The Gin Pole that I have now is made of Oak and it comes apart for easy stowing, but it's a little on the heavy side. Good luck! Joe
To Mast
Chuck, I'm in the process of making a system just like yours but unsure what and how you attach the pole to the mast. Is your ratchet system hooked just to two eye bolt with the strap round the mast? Also did you just cut the shape of the mast in the end of your pole or did you create some kind of V formation. Any assistance would be hughly appreciated. Thanks, Bob
Chuck, I'm in the process of making a system just like yours but unsure what and how you attach the pole to the mast. Is your ratchet system hooked just to two eye bolt with the strap round the mast? Also did you just cut the shape of the mast in the end of your pole or did you create some kind of V formation. Any assistance would be hughly appreciated. Thanks, Bob
Go for it my East Coast friend..
We have a Harbor Freight store at West Toledo. Maybe you do too.. If so bookmark their web site and register to get coupons on line. You will be amazed at the reduced prices, even almost scary. Have not bought any electric or gas tools because they are so cheap that I'm afraid they won't last. Hear of guys that have and seem to be satisfied.. I did get a 5 piece ratcheting end wrenches that are very smooth, highly polished and feel real good in my hand. They were locked up in a case. At Sears I believe about 59$ and at HF 23$ with on line coupon. That nylon ratcheting strap was about a buck.
We have a Harbor Freight store at West Toledo. Maybe you do too.. If so bookmark their web site and register to get coupons on line. You will be amazed at the reduced prices, even almost scary. Have not bought any electric or gas tools because they are so cheap that I'm afraid they won't last. Hear of guys that have and seem to be satisfied.. I did get a 5 piece ratcheting end wrenches that are very smooth, highly polished and feel real good in my hand. They were locked up in a case. At Sears I believe about 59$ and at HF 23$ with on line coupon. That nylon ratcheting strap was about a buck.
Harbor Freight Stores
I had never heard of Harbor Freight Stores until you just mentioned it. We have one in Springfield Ma. which is about 80 miles from where I live, but we also have one in Warwick RI which is about 22 miles away. I'll have to check it out some time when I'm in that area. Thanks for the tip. Smooth Sailing! Joe
I had never heard of Harbor Freight Stores until you just mentioned it. We have one in Springfield Ma. which is about 80 miles from where I live, but we also have one in Warwick RI which is about 22 miles away. I'll have to check it out some time when I'm in that area. Thanks for the tip. Smooth Sailing! Joe
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