Stepping Procedure
Dear Mike, The link below is a description of the stepping procedure I posted a couple of years ago. Basically, you just reverse the procedure to take it down, but here is a brief order of tasks. Do help someone else step or unstep their mast - it's the best way to learn how, and any boat will do to get the key ideas. You need the mast crane available at most yards. I have done it with two persons, but definitely recommend three the first time around. Take down the sails, and the boom, boomvang, etc. Motor the the crane, positioning the mast where the crane can lift straight up. Prepare a couple of saw horses, or another place to set the mast when you have it down. Secure all your running rigging to the mast. Secure a strong line (I use half inch moring line.) to the hook of the crane. (Use a loop and a bowline.) Maneuver the tip of the crane roughly behind the mast, and loop the other end of the line around the mast. (Bowline again) I position the crane to lift aft of the mast, because it gives more control options as you lift. Raise the loop so that it is up to the spreaders, with just a little strain. Mark the shrouds (standing rigging) loosen them, and pull the pins to decouple them from the chain plates. Carefully gather the shrouds into logical bundles and tie the ends together. If you have a furler on the forestay, it will need special attention throughout the procedure. Lift the mast about 9 inches. This will expose the cables. Unfasten the cables. Lift the mast enough to clear the deck, etc. With one person on the butt of the mast, one on the crane, and one on the shrouds (especially the furler) swing the mast over the shore. Lower the mast carefully on the horses, making sure to cant the spreaders so they do not jam into the ground. Once you have it down, rig it to travel. I'll leave this for others, but the key is to tightly fasten everything, and be sure that there is no place for unpadded metal on metal rubbing. You will also need some kind of a very secure mount for the mast as it travels. Good luck, you have a great boat, David Lady Lillie
