I have a friend who owns a 26' Hunter and tells me he can step the mast single-handedly. I would like to do this with my 16' Oday, DaySailer II, that is trailered to and from Portage Lake, but have been unsuccessful at finding info on the Web. My main concern is keeping the mast under control during the stepping process so it does not move laterally and damage the sole plate or other parts. Any hints, ideas, sites to visit, pictures or diagrams with descriptions? Thanks, Paul and from my wife who is getting a bit tired of going to the lake to help me get the boat in and out of the water (sometimes sailing with me).
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Back when I sailed Hobie Cats
they had a little "hook" on the base of the mast that pivoted on a pin built into the mast step. Even though this was meant to make stepping easier with two people, it also made it possible for singlehanding it. You would just put the hook on the pin, attach your shrouds, then as you lift the mast, you pull in on a line attached to the end of the forestay and led through the bridle fitting. It makes more sense if you were to see it. If you know of anyone with a Hobie Cat, take a look at their mast base. Hope that helps more than it confuses.
they had a little "hook" on the base of the mast that pivoted on a pin built into the mast step. Even though this was meant to make stepping easier with two people, it also made it possible for singlehanding it. You would just put the hook on the pin, attach your shrouds, then as you lift the mast, you pull in on a line attached to the end of the forestay and led through the bridle fitting. It makes more sense if you were to see it. If you know of anyone with a Hobie Cat, take a look at their mast base. Hope that helps more than it confuses.
Mast Raising
For single handing you'll need "mini-stays" or some sort of tabernacle to keep the mast verticle while raising the mast. The Hunter 26 series has a solid strut on each side of the mast, other boats have short stays just for this purpose. For this size boat you should be able to rig something up.
For single handing you'll need "mini-stays" or some sort of tabernacle to keep the mast verticle while raising the mast. The Hunter 26 series has a solid strut on each side of the mast, other boats have short stays just for this purpose. For this size boat you should be able to rig something up.
Stepping the mast solo
I have a Hunter 170 and step the mast by myself. I attach the shrouds to each side (while the mast is on the trailer supports) and then insert the base of the mast and walk the mast up. Once up, the only place it can go is backwards (as the shrouds on the Hunter are placed in such a way as to prevent falling forward---there is no backstay on the Hunter and the shrouds help compensate for this). I have attached a line to the mast support on my trailer. I then tie this line to the mast to keep it from going over backwards. It is stable in this position. I can then get out and hook up my furling jib and everything is stable.
I have a Hunter 170 and step the mast by myself. I attach the shrouds to each side (while the mast is on the trailer supports) and then insert the base of the mast and walk the mast up. Once up, the only place it can go is backwards (as the shrouds on the Hunter are placed in such a way as to prevent falling forward---there is no backstay on the Hunter and the shrouds help compensate for this). I have attached a line to the mast support on my trailer. I then tie this line to the mast to keep it from going over backwards. It is stable in this position. I can then get out and hook up my furling jib and everything is stable.
I do the same as muttley
except that I use the jib halyard attached to the stem head to hold the mast, while I attache the forestay. I just cleat it off when it is in position, then insert the pin in the tabernacle (there are two on my DS II) then go forward and put a pin through the stemhead/forestay.
except that I use the jib halyard attached to the stem head to hold the mast, while I attache the forestay. I just cleat it off when it is in position, then insert the pin in the tabernacle (there are two on my DS II) then go forward and put a pin through the stemhead/forestay.
zip tie it!
it sounds crazy, but when your creative you find things that work. I have had a hard time getting my buddies to come down and sail with me making it impossible for me to go, but i found a way to raise the last by myself, Zip Ties, on my hobie I zip tie the mottom of my mast to the mast coupling, the zip ties act as a hinge and it has worked everytime, i use three becuase of the low weight of the mast, but i think this could work for those who dont have anyone to hold the mast down into the coupling
it sounds crazy, but when your creative you find things that work. I have had a hard time getting my buddies to come down and sail with me making it impossible for me to go, but i found a way to raise the last by myself, Zip Ties, on my hobie I zip tie the mottom of my mast to the mast coupling, the zip ties act as a hinge and it has worked everytime, i use three becuase of the low weight of the mast, but i think this could work for those who dont have anyone to hold the mast down into the coupling
Thanks, mates!
Thanks for the help. I also found some helpful ideas on the Oday site, too. I should have mentioned that my friend with the Hunter uses his trailer winch to do the actual lifting, so I am looking for ideas of how to set up a gin-pole to act as the fulcrum for the line running from winch to jib or main halyard. I have had a liitle trouble in the past "dancing" forward in the cockpit while walking up the mast, so am looking for something like the above where I can be out of the cockpit while raising and stepping the mast. Thanks again. See you on the water! Paul Foster
Thanks for the help. I also found some helpful ideas on the Oday site, too. I should have mentioned that my friend with the Hunter uses his trailer winch to do the actual lifting, so I am looking for ideas of how to set up a gin-pole to act as the fulcrum for the line running from winch to jib or main halyard. I have had a liitle trouble in the past "dancing" forward in the cockpit while walking up the mast, so am looking for something like the above where I can be out of the cockpit while raising and stepping the mast. Thanks again. See you on the water! Paul Foster
Mast Raising Kit
MacGregor 26 X's and M's have mast raising kits for about $100. They both use "baby stays" to prevent lateral movement, a gin pole for needed raising angle and the jib halyard. The X uses the blocks and line that come with the kit and a jib winch. The newer "M" model is probably better. It has a winch and line mounted on the gin pole.
MacGregor 26 X's and M's have mast raising kits for about $100. They both use "baby stays" to prevent lateral movement, a gin pole for needed raising angle and the jib halyard. The X uses the blocks and line that come with the kit and a jib winch. The newer "M" model is probably better. It has a winch and line mounted on the gin pole.
Here's a trick on a Daysailer
On a Daysailer, if I remember my old one, the mast goes through the cabin roof, and then sits on a threaded post, that acts as a jack with a spanner wrench. what I did was buy a piece of stainless rod, about 3/8 in diameter. I drilled a hole in the pin in the bottom of the boat, and pressed the rod into it, and allowed the rod to stick out the cabin top by about 4". Once you hoist the mast up, and get it started onto the rod, it guides itself onto the jack with little fanfare. I used to do it by myself all the time. good Luck steve
On a Daysailer, if I remember my old one, the mast goes through the cabin roof, and then sits on a threaded post, that acts as a jack with a spanner wrench. what I did was buy a piece of stainless rod, about 3/8 in diameter. I drilled a hole in the pin in the bottom of the boat, and pressed the rod into it, and allowed the rod to stick out the cabin top by about 4". Once you hoist the mast up, and get it started onto the rod, it guides itself onto the jack with little fanfare. I used to do it by myself all the time. good Luck steve
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