I swear I'm going to have a gin pole for next year.........maybe I can attach the boom and mainsail and raise it like the windsurfers do? What do they call it? Water-starting?
Raising the mast this weekend, au manual
- Thread starter treeman
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No, don't do that. That mast isn't that heavy. If you have a heavy duty furler attached to it, it can be awkward to raise. Outside of that, you should be able to raise that mast pretty easy with the stays connected, all by yourself.
All you need is some sort of crutch to support the mast at the stern. Have the crutch high enough so that you can just reach the mast while straddling the cockpit seats. With the companionway sliding hatch closed, the mast should be just high enough for you to lift it as you stand on the hatch. One you get your shoulder behind it, it will go up easy.
Go slow as you raise your mast and watch of snags or kinks in the stays. If you raise it too fast and one of your stays gets caught, you mast will get thrown of balance and go over sideways breaking the tabernacle.
If your mast is Z-Spar, make sure the T-Bar fittings are properly seated or they will get bent.
I always used a 60'X3/8" nylon line with a single sheave attached to the bow stem chain plate to hold the mast in place after I got it raised.
I had an eye slice on the end of this line for Jib Halyard shackle, but a Bowline would do just as well.
I'd connect the line to the shackle and raise the halyard all the way up and cleat it off at the mast.
After the mast was all the way up, I'd take the line and bring it around the mast, above the goose neck fitting , and tie it off at the Starboard bow cleat. Release the bungee holding the forestay to the mast, and connect the forestay to the forward most hole on the bow stem chainplate.
Just make sure the boat is level with the wind coming directly from the stern and you should have no problem.
I used to do this hundreds of times by myself before I got the Gin Pole. After you've done it a few times, it's pretty easy and fast.
Thanks, Joe. Sounds like a good plan. My sailing buddy and I got the job done last year, but it was a bit clumsy and comfortable. I like the idea of the sheave at the bow. Do you think that line could also be used with some mechanical advantage (winch) to help raise it?
It should be an interesting weekend. In addition to raising the mast, I will be installing a brand new CDI FF2.
Wish me luck.
-Dan
It should be an interesting weekend. In addition to raising the mast, I will be installing a brand new CDI FF2.
Wish me luck.
-Dan
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