Stepping my catalina 27 mast

[JimGeddes]

I have seen the video on youtube with the A frame... I also heard the guy say there are plans on the catalina 27 association web page, but i can't find it. Anybody have an idea where i can get specific plans for this contraption? If not i think i can wing it. :dance:

 

[Joe]

mast raising

Here's a jpg of one set up. some guys just use 2x4's. The first article I saw on this the guy used 2x6's, he split a hinge and attached each leaf to the base and used a bolt through the hinge to the chainplate to hold the supports in place. He used the other hinge (you must buy them in pairs, you know) to connect the upper supports together. The key is to place the loop near the mast's center of gravity, the diagram will help you with that. Also, you only need to raise the mast a few inches to detach from the mast base, then rest it on a block of wood right next to the base so you can disconnect any internal wiring before continuing.

 

[Buck 100]

What about a Gin pole?

Jim does your mast set on a tabernacle? If it does why dont you build a Gin pole? Very easy to build and use. I use one on my Oday 25'. I'm not a computer whiz so i cant send pictures with this reply. Send me your e-mail address and i will send you some pictures. If your interested i will send the measurements.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Joe, I might try this on my boat with a 33' mast.

but why not just snug the noose up to the spreaders? I think they are pretty close to the center of gravity. If the noose is snug enough, the weight would be borne by the spreader ears and not the spreaders themselves.

 

[Joe]

but why not just snug the noose up to the spreaders? I think they are pretty close to the center of gravity. If the noose is snug enough, the weight would be borne by the spreader ears and not the spreaders themselves.

I would not encourage you to put any weight at all on the spreaders. The lift should be from the bottom, where the tail of the line is cleated to the mast. The noose is not tight... it needs to slide up to the correct height, halfway should be a foot or so below the steaming light. If you tighten it up you'll not be able to remove it when you restep the mast... because it won't slide over the light. Also, if you put the noose up by the spreaders the bottom half will be much heavier than the top half, making the spar a bit unwieldly.

The noose stabilizes the mast, gradually taking on weight as it is lowered. If the noose is at the center of gravity the whole thing will be balanced and much easier to control, coming down and going up.