Tried to raise the mast on my 84 mac 25. Just the wife and I and she not much help lifting much. I can press the mast above my head about 6.5 or 7 feet, but then what. I built a A frame from 2x4 and used regular sail line to the winch. The line stretches like crazy. What the heck can I use ? Come-along maybe ? Trailer winch maybe any hints out there on what works ? I kinda thought I would lift the mast and crank the winch to hold the mast while I got a new grip until the mast was in place and reverse the process to lower, but there is some risk doing it this way. The mast base isn't designed for the Mac optional lifting system.
Raising the mast
- Thread starter buzzzsaw
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I had the same problem
But Gregg showed me how to handle it without much effort.I have to be careful about dropping Greggs name too much on here is head will swell up so big there will be no sailing with him! Once you have the mast bolted to the tabernacle I think its called you have you wife grab the end of the jib halyardand old it next to the bow pulpit. you go up on deck close to your poptop and lift the mast from there as your wife pulls in the halyard(she isnt helping lift but helping to guide it up)once the mast is up you have her throw a couple of wraps around the bow pulpit to keep the mast in place. then you connect the bow stay and release the halyard. hope this helps
But Gregg showed me how to handle it without much effort.I have to be careful about dropping Greggs name too much on here is head will swell up so big there will be no sailing with him! Once you have the mast bolted to the tabernacle I think its called you have you wife grab the end of the jib halyardand old it next to the bow pulpit. you go up on deck close to your poptop and lift the mast from there as your wife pulls in the halyard(she isnt helping lift but helping to guide it up)once the mast is up you have her throw a couple of wraps around the bow pulpit to keep the mast in place. then you connect the bow stay and release the halyard. hope this helps
Muscle the Mast
I routinely put up my mast alone.... I position the mast on the crutch, insert the step bolt through the slot in the base then slide the hatch closed. After ensuring that all the cables (stay and shrouds) are free, I position myself on the hatch and lift the mast... Once shoulder high, I walk it forward to upright (kind of like the strongest man competition where they lift the steel pole "fingers"). The backstay and shrouds keep it from falling forward. Then I grab the forestay and keep tension as I walk to the bow with it. I pin the lower connection, then I can let go and use the lever to tension the forestay.... I've gotten pretty good at this... It does help if the bow is slightly down during this process but I have done it while "moored" in the backyard with the bow slightly raised...
I routinely put up my mast alone.... I position the mast on the crutch, insert the step bolt through the slot in the base then slide the hatch closed. After ensuring that all the cables (stay and shrouds) are free, I position myself on the hatch and lift the mast... Once shoulder high, I walk it forward to upright (kind of like the strongest man competition where they lift the steel pole "fingers"). The backstay and shrouds keep it from falling forward. Then I grab the forestay and keep tension as I walk to the bow with it. I pin the lower connection, then I can let go and use the lever to tension the forestay.... I've gotten pretty good at this... It does help if the bow is slightly down during this process but I have done it while "moored" in the backyard with the bow slightly raised...
Go with I Suppose's suggestion
I'm not that big of a guy, and it's tough for me to raise the mast, too. I can do it, but it puts everyone on the boat in danger when I do it. You'r either ten feet off the ground because the baot is on the trailer or else you're in the water and the boat is rocking. Safety is a priority, and you definitely don't want to drop the mast on your wife. We now use the mast raising system, and it might be worth your time and effort to buy and install that. Before that, My wife would stand in the bow of the boat (with sailing gloves on) and pull on the jib halyard as I raised the mast. I started in the back and walked forward up to the mast base. If your wife can wrap the halyard around the pulpit once or twice and pull on that as you raise the mast, then it will be much more secure the whole time. If you can get another friend to help, you will also be amazed at how easily two guys can raise the mast if both are lifting. Good luck.
I'm not that big of a guy, and it's tough for me to raise the mast, too. I can do it, but it puts everyone on the boat in danger when I do it. You'r either ten feet off the ground because the baot is on the trailer or else you're in the water and the boat is rocking. Safety is a priority, and you definitely don't want to drop the mast on your wife. We now use the mast raising system, and it might be worth your time and effort to buy and install that. Before that, My wife would stand in the bow of the boat (with sailing gloves on) and pull on the jib halyard as I raised the mast. I started in the back and walked forward up to the mast base. If your wife can wrap the halyard around the pulpit once or twice and pull on that as you raise the mast, then it will be much more secure the whole time. If you can get another friend to help, you will also be amazed at how easily two guys can raise the mast if both are lifting. Good luck.
Mast Raising Kit
For about $150 you can buy from Blue Water Yachts a mast raising kit that makes the job quicker and safer. I helped my brother install it a few months ago. Be sure to get the pivoting deck fitting. It took the better part of a day to install but afterwards it worked great and now one person can raise and lower it with no problem.
For about $150 you can buy from Blue Water Yachts a mast raising kit that makes the job quicker and safer. I helped my brother install it a few months ago. Be sure to get the pivoting deck fitting. It took the better part of a day to install but afterwards it worked great and now one person can raise and lower it with no problem.
Buzz, raised mast yesterday solo in a 25 knot wind
using homemade version (about $30)of mast raising system. Borrowed idea from this guy. I took detailed picts yesterday. My tabernacle is not set up for it either. Bolted a "U" shaped piece of steel to the deck. I connect the post and the channel with a screwdriver. I reversed the pulley so the crank was on the left side. Big mistake! My left arm needs a workout just not at that critical moment. I will be correcting that next time. The toughest part of doing it alone in a wind is keeping the cables clear of hanging up. They seem to have a mind of their own and seek out any object they can find (the dirty bastards). Having someone around to free them up is a big plus. In a low wind or no wind situation you can leave the mast at half mast and the system is stable. Its kind of a hassle to post picts here one at a time, but if you email me I will send them to you.
using homemade version (about $30)of mast raising system. Borrowed idea from this guy. I took detailed picts yesterday. My tabernacle is not set up for it either. Bolted a "U" shaped piece of steel to the deck. I connect the post and the channel with a screwdriver. I reversed the pulley so the crank was on the left side. Big mistake! My left arm needs a workout just not at that critical moment. I will be correcting that next time. The toughest part of doing it alone in a wind is keeping the cables clear of hanging up. They seem to have a mind of their own and seek out any object they can find (the dirty bastards). Having someone around to free them up is a big plus. In a low wind or no wind situation you can leave the mast at half mast and the system is stable. Its kind of a hassle to post picts here one at a time, but if you email me I will send them to you.
Use what works for you
buzzsaw, I muscled my mast up for a long time, and then came up with ideas to raise it safer and easier. I think your idea of using the trailer winch is great. The standard systems use a small block and tackle. Your line may be too stretchy. I use the jib halyard and attach an extra length. Your A-frame sounds good. Remember that the hardest pull is at first. After the mast is up about 10 feet it gets easy the rest of the way. Baby stays are made for this situation to keep the mast from falling over, or your helper could steady it. Good Luck!
buzzsaw, I muscled my mast up for a long time, and then came up with ideas to raise it safer and easier. I think your idea of using the trailer winch is great. The standard systems use a small block and tackle. Your line may be too stretchy. I use the jib halyard and attach an extra length. Your A-frame sounds good. Remember that the hardest pull is at first. After the mast is up about 10 feet it gets easy the rest of the way. Baby stays are made for this situation to keep the mast from falling over, or your helper could steady it. Good Luck!
I guess I don't understand
I can't see where your u bolt is, nor can I figure out how you would raise it without at least starting it up by heaving it up. Are you using the deck organisers to bring the line back to the winch? What does the u bolt do exactly, does it keep the mast straight and from moving side to side? Can you possibly rig it like you are ready to raise and then take some pics? Thanks,
I can't see where your u bolt is, nor can I figure out how you would raise it without at least starting it up by heaving it up. Are you using the deck organisers to bring the line back to the winch? What does the u bolt do exactly, does it keep the mast straight and from moving side to side? Can you possibly rig it like you are ready to raise and then take some pics? Thanks,
Before raising the mast, I attach the vang (fully extended) between the jib halyard and the pulpit where the mast connects when it is trailered. After muscling the mast to vertical, I tighten the jib halyard to hold the mast up. That allows me to go forward, and using the vang, I can tighten the halyard until I can easily attach the front stay. Using a piece of shock cord (with a simple knot [half a square knot]) to tighten and hold the backstay partway down the length of the mast takes up the slack in the backstay while being raised. It pops off as the mast is raised and falls at my feet or in the cockpit.
I too Struggle
Yesterday we raised the mast on my 25M The step is not designed to swing as in the video but I think something can be made to make the job easier. My wife is not that strong so her help on the Jib sheet was not much. The main problem I had was getting the mast up was the transition from going from the cockpit to the cabin roof and still holding up the mast. Does anyone have some detailed pictures of the mast raising system used on the 26 that I can get. specific measurements would be great. Can the system be modified for the 25M and if so what is the work involved?
Yesterday we raised the mast on my 25M The step is not designed to swing as in the video but I think something can be made to make the job easier. My wife is not that strong so her help on the Jib sheet was not much. The main problem I had was getting the mast up was the transition from going from the cockpit to the cabin roof and still holding up the mast. Does anyone have some detailed pictures of the mast raising system used on the 26 that I can get. specific measurements would be great. Can the system be modified for the 25M and if so what is the work involved?
Mac 25 & the Mac Mast Raising System
I put the MacGregor Mast Raising system on my 1982 Mac 25 without any difficulty. I purchased the Mac 26 pivoting mast base and the mast raising system from Blue Water Yachts. They take plastic and they are a distributor for MacGregor. There is some adaptations to the setup to make it work on the Mac 25 but, Blue Water Yachts will provide them when you tell them the systems is for a Mac 25. The basic differences are that the baby stays have to mounted on the deck about 22 or 23 inches out from the back edge of the mast and the other end of the baby stays mount separately (lower) from the bail the mast raising gin pole uses. The dimensions are provided by BWY. Additionaly, I purchased a halyard organizer plate that goes under the mast step from Dwyer Aluminum Mast Company so I could run my mast rigging aft to the cockpit. Best investment I have made. I can raise and lower the mast by myself and/or keep the gin pole on board in case I have to transit a low bridge and need to lower the mast part way. I can post pictures later or let me know your e-mail and I'll send them directly. Rusty
I put the MacGregor Mast Raising system on my 1982 Mac 25 without any difficulty. I purchased the Mac 26 pivoting mast base and the mast raising system from Blue Water Yachts. They take plastic and they are a distributor for MacGregor. There is some adaptations to the setup to make it work on the Mac 25 but, Blue Water Yachts will provide them when you tell them the systems is for a Mac 25. The basic differences are that the baby stays have to mounted on the deck about 22 or 23 inches out from the back edge of the mast and the other end of the baby stays mount separately (lower) from the bail the mast raising gin pole uses. The dimensions are provided by BWY. Additionaly, I purchased a halyard organizer plate that goes under the mast step from Dwyer Aluminum Mast Company so I could run my mast rigging aft to the cockpit. Best investment I have made. I can raise and lower the mast by myself and/or keep the gin pole on board in case I have to transit a low bridge and need to lower the mast part way. I can post pictures later or let me know your e-mail and I'll send them directly. Rusty
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