I don’t know about you, but I have that moment of spring launch unsettledness when raising the mast on my H260 using the gin pole and halyard system. There is a whole lot of mast and a whole lot of leverage hanging on that halyard line. The block and tackle method works great if one is strong enough and confident that all is in order with shrouds, topping lift, halyards, etc. To avoid that pit-in-the-stomach feeling, I have switched out the manual method for an electric Warn Pullzall hooked to the gin pole and the anchor locker shackle. This allows me to face the mast as it is going up and allows me to slooooowly raise the mast with ease or even back down the mast with fingertip control if something does not look right. When I use my portable power winch, I am always careful to keep an eye on everything since the Pullzall doesn’t know what is or is not a snag. I use my Pullzall in the spring and for lowering the mast in the fall. It is still a two person job (with my son, John) but it works for me and I thought that I would pass this tip along.
Raising the Stick
- Thread starter rickwarner
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The more you do it, the easier it gets, at least in my experience.
I used to be very apprehensive about stepping and unstepping my mast, to the point of needing a second soul each time.
Not anymore.
As long as the shrouds at the top don't foul on the way up, of course!
I used to be very apprehensive about stepping and unstepping my mast, to the point of needing a second soul each time.
Not anymore.
As long as the shrouds at the top don't foul on the way up, of course!
I do the same with a winch from Harbor Freight (but use the main sheet for a back up). My only concern is with the torque put on the mast (Charleston Spar), but I cancel most of it out by running a line the other way from the front of the foot of the mast. The ONLY way to raise the mast!
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