Stepping Mast
Ken,I'll try to give as much detail as possible. First, take Don's advise and get a mast step that hinges, the reason being, that once the mast lowers past 45 degrees, there will be a substancial amount of forward pressure at the step. As for as anchoring the base of the A frame, on the OD 26, I use 9' sections of 1" electrical conduit,you might need 10', and place a rubber cap on each end, then place each leg of the A frame in front of the chain plate, the toe rail keeps it from sliding out. Don has made an attachment hinge which fits to his toe rail. With the mast in the vertical position, lay the A frame forward, where it is bolted together, should come to the bow stem fitting. Run your line from one of the rear winches, up to the block at the stem fitting, take it through the block and bring it up. Attach it to the A frame at this point. I worded this next part incorrectly before, but you figured it out. With the main halyard tied to the bow pulpit as a safety, disconnect the forestay, if this can be done with your RF attached, and connect the forstay to the A frame, at the same place you attached the line. SLOWLY release the main halyard and take up tension on the line at the winch with a couple of wraps. As the mast starts to lower, the weight of the mast should keep the RF tube straight enough until you can attach it to the mast in the lowered position. Once the mast has started to come down, by all means stay on the side of the cockpit in case something breaks. The rear support needs to be at least 7' off the cockpit floor for the mast to rest on. This is clear the hatch and mostly to assist when stepping the mast. Something that Don mentioned, be sure to loosen the upper and side stays a little be fore lowering, a pay careful attention to the turnbuckles when stepping the mast. When the mast is resting on the bow pullpit and stern pushpit, you have to walk the base back the step. If the turnbuckles are turned wrong, you can bend them double real quick. I know this is long winded, but if you have any other question, please ask.Ben AllenMontgomery, AL"Wahoo"OD 26