I am interested in rasing the mast on my C22 singlehandedly. Does anyone know of any instructions for this?
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mast raising
First thing, I would buy/make a mast crutch using two pieces of aluminum/steel (mast up)for the rear (mine attaches to the gudgeons its made from two pieces of aluminum tubing, ajustment holes every foot on the inter piece that allows different heights. It was constructed for about $60.00) Catalina Direct sells one made from steel. Once the mast is attached at the step, this will allow you to raise the mast, at this point you can walk the mast up or use a gin pole or an "A" frame along with the main sheet or vang to raise it. (I use a gin pole again made using aluminum tubing 6'X 1 1/4". I attach the jib halyard to a eye bolt and use the vang one end attached from to the eyebolt the other to the stem fitting) You can make a "A" frame using electrical conduit that would attach at the forward chain plate eyes and use the vang or main sheet to raise the mast.
First thing, I would buy/make a mast crutch using two pieces of aluminum/steel (mast up)for the rear (mine attaches to the gudgeons its made from two pieces of aluminum tubing, ajustment holes every foot on the inter piece that allows different heights. It was constructed for about $60.00) Catalina Direct sells one made from steel. Once the mast is attached at the step, this will allow you to raise the mast, at this point you can walk the mast up or use a gin pole or an "A" frame along with the main sheet or vang to raise it. (I use a gin pole again made using aluminum tubing 6'X 1 1/4". I attach the jib halyard to a eye bolt and use the vang one end attached from to the eyebolt the other to the stem fitting) You can make a "A" frame using electrical conduit that would attach at the forward chain plate eyes and use the vang or main sheet to raise the mast.
Everyone has their own special way . . .
There are many variations of a central theme for raising the mast. My general guide is that if you need to use a lot of muscle, then you are doing something wrong. It is more technique than strength. As Ken describe, most folks use some sort of A frame or pole to gain leverage and a crutch to hold the mast before raising. Leverage is what it is all about. I used to raise the mast singlehandedly, unless someone insisted on helping me (Then it took a lot longer). All I had was a 5 ft piece of wood to use as a crutch, a single block and a 35 ft line with a clip on one end. Of the 8 shrouds/stays connect the aft-most 5 and leave the fore-most 3 disconnected. I would practice the set up and raisng a few times at home or out of the way. Have a helper there at first, but work it out so you can do it by your lonesome. Remember, the penalty of failure is quite high.
There are many variations of a central theme for raising the mast. My general guide is that if you need to use a lot of muscle, then you are doing something wrong. It is more technique than strength. As Ken describe, most folks use some sort of A frame or pole to gain leverage and a crutch to hold the mast before raising. Leverage is what it is all about. I used to raise the mast singlehandedly, unless someone insisted on helping me (Then it took a lot longer). All I had was a 5 ft piece of wood to use as a crutch, a single block and a 35 ft line with a clip on one end. Of the 8 shrouds/stays connect the aft-most 5 and leave the fore-most 3 disconnected. I would practice the set up and raisng a few times at home or out of the way. Have a helper there at first, but work it out so you can do it by your lonesome. Remember, the penalty of failure is quite high.
Check the archives
there is some good advice to raising the mast. Speaking for myself and myself only.....I hated raising the mast, I didn't even try it myself. It was by far the worst thing I've had to do on the boat. Beating out lowering the swing keel for refinishing. AGAIN, just me.. The archives do have some excellent ideas in there. Some with nice pix and explanations and all. I have a crutch that lifts the mast around six feet up off the stern. I attach my forestay to my winch on my trailer, and while a volunteer cranks on it I lift and guide the mast up into position. It's real nice to get one other person who's job is to see that all shrouds stay loose and don't get hung up on something,ie the motor mount,the pop-top edges... I'm just one of those that if it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all.... Now I have a dryslip where I can leave the mast up. Figures tho, I'd forget to put the antenna up on top of the mast.... sigh......
there is some good advice to raising the mast. Speaking for myself and myself only.....I hated raising the mast, I didn't even try it myself. It was by far the worst thing I've had to do on the boat. Beating out lowering the swing keel for refinishing. AGAIN, just me.. The archives do have some excellent ideas in there. Some with nice pix and explanations and all. I have a crutch that lifts the mast around six feet up off the stern. I attach my forestay to my winch on my trailer, and while a volunteer cranks on it I lift and guide the mast up into position. It's real nice to get one other person who's job is to see that all shrouds stay loose and don't get hung up on something,ie the motor mount,the pop-top edges... I'm just one of those that if it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all.... Now I have a dryslip where I can leave the mast up. Figures tho, I'd forget to put the antenna up on top of the mast.... sigh......
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