I had to pull my H23 out of the water for two tropical storms this year and am finally getting ready to put it back into the water. When I purchased this boat last year(my first one) I was warned about not letting the mast lean to either side during stepping and unstepping. I know lots of you folks have done this a bit and I was looking for alittle help ( encouragement haha) on how to do this with my wife and 15 year old daughter. Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated. Mark s/v Deep Thought
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look in photo section
If you look right above this post, you will see a photo section with "tripod for stepping h23 mast" This tripod keeps the mast from falling sideways. If you choose not to build that, Just be carefull that you keep good balance and lower smooth and steady. Ward
If you look right above this post, you will see a photo section with "tripod for stepping h23 mast" This tripod keeps the mast from falling sideways. If you choose not to build that, Just be carefull that you keep good balance and lower smooth and steady. Ward
H 23 Mast Raising
My 94 H-26 instruction book is also applicable to the 19 & 23.5. If this applies to your boat then the enclosed picture from the book might help. I know that the side bridle wires are necessary on the 26 no matter what, I have a bent mast step bracket (extra) that I replaced because I got lazy. That may be why they said not to let the mast lean. If the page applies to you and you want a good copy send me your e-mail address. This site limits the size of jpg files.
My 94 H-26 instruction book is also applicable to the 19 & 23.5. If this applies to your boat then the enclosed picture from the book might help. I know that the side bridle wires are necessary on the 26 no matter what, I have a bent mast step bracket (extra) that I replaced because I got lazy. That may be why they said not to let the mast lean. If the page applies to you and you want a good copy send me your e-mail address. This site limits the size of jpg files.
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mast stepping ,
The tripod seems to work great for lots of people , I have used and had good luck with a walking or stepping plank , I am sure there are pics in the archives, if not email me and I can tell you more, the main thing in mast stepping is to think thru what you are about to do , and then communicate that to the person who is helping you , make sure what ever system that you use ,that you are commmunicating , it helps to make sure when you back your boat in to step the mast .that you have thewind at your back , so it gives you a bit of a hand going up,you dont want it blowing sideways or against you , talk about what you are going to do and tell the people helping you what to excect ,then you will have a happier crew, this works well during launch while sailing and retrevial, talk it thru , explain, happy sailing , Mike Bacome ps watch for over head obstacles,
The tripod seems to work great for lots of people , I have used and had good luck with a walking or stepping plank , I am sure there are pics in the archives, if not email me and I can tell you more, the main thing in mast stepping is to think thru what you are about to do , and then communicate that to the person who is helping you , make sure what ever system that you use ,that you are commmunicating , it helps to make sure when you back your boat in to step the mast .that you have thewind at your back , so it gives you a bit of a hand going up,you dont want it blowing sideways or against you , talk about what you are going to do and tell the people helping you what to excect ,then you will have a happier crew, this works well during launch while sailing and retrevial, talk it thru , explain, happy sailing , Mike Bacome ps watch for over head obstacles,
Mast Stepping a Breeze
I have a 1986 H23 that I've owned since 1988. The first few mast raising incidents using Hunter's instructions were awful. I'm a small guy and I singlehand, so I needed a system that would allow me to raise the stick by myself without getting a back injury. I put together a very simple mast-raising system that allows me to raise and lower the mast by myself. Once I have everything in place, I stand near the tabernacle and raise the mast without ever having to leave that spot. I've used this system about 4 times each year for several years now. The system consists of a 8 foot long gin-pole made of 3" aluminum pipe (I've seen guys use a piece of 4"x4" lumber as well). This pins into a padeye I installed near the base of the mast using one of the tabernacle pins. At the other end of the ginpole, I have a couple of eyebolts to attach the forstay and my mainsheet tackle, which I have removed from the cockpit. At this end of the pole, I also have tied a couple of 12 ft long 1/4-inch dacron lines that will be used to steady the ginpole. I bought a new mainsheet that is long enough to allow me to get all the way back to the cockpit with the end of the mainsheet (about 75' of line will do). This is all I use. It doesn't provide quite the side to side support that an A-frame does, but it might be a little more portable. In fact, I often raise and lower the mast with the boat in the water. Here is the step-by-step mast raising procedure that I've used for the last 2 or 3 dozen mast steppings. You can also let the stick down by reversing this method. 1. Take your time. It helps to have a spotter make sure that your backstay doesn't get hung on something, and that the shrouds pull straight as you raise the mast. My 8 year old son is my spotter. If I feel any unusual resistance, I cleat the mainsheet and look around to see what the problem is. 2. Remove the rudder and install the yoke in the raised position. I installed a roller in my yoke so I can walk the mast back while holding onto the base end. Walk the mast aft until the base is even with the tabernacle. Install the aft mast pin into the tabernacle. 3. Pin the forestay to one end of the ginpole. Clip the mainsheet tackle to that same end. Clip the other end of the mainsheet to the jib tack pendant in the anchor well. Let the two 1/4" dacron lines hang free. Now pin the other end of the pole into the padeye near the base of the mast using a bolt or tabernacle pin. 4. You should have a pair of lifeline stanchions that are somewhat in line with the tabernacle. Tie or clip the 1/4" dacron lines into the base of the port and starboard stanchion bases. The pole should stand up by itself now. 5. I now take the free end of the mainsheet and wrap it around the winch on the side of the mast. I stand there and pull on the mainsheet with my right hand while I keep the mast steady with my left. If the boat is level and it's not very windy I don't have much problem with side to side motion. I continue to pull the mainsheet until the mast is nearly vertical (or the mainsheet tackle is fully closed). Cleat the mainsheet, which is now supporting the mast. 6. Now take the jib halyard and attach it to something solid (I use the cleat in the anchor well). Go back to the mast and pull the jibsheet tight to get the mast vertical. Cleat the jibsheet at the mast. The jibsheet is now supporting the mast until you can unpin the forestay from the ginpole and properly attach it to the boat. 7. If side-to-side motion is a problem, I sometimes use my halyards for support. Just before raising the mast, I clip my main halyard to the starboard stanchion base near the tabernacle. I clip the jib halyard to the port stanchion base. I snug and cleat each of these halyards on the mast. This seems to give enough support to keep the mast from going over the side. This is what works for me. I'm sure other sailors will have their own methods that work for them. If you need photos, reply to me and I'll send you some. Good Luck. Dan Bickford S/V Charlie Weaver
I have a 1986 H23 that I've owned since 1988. The first few mast raising incidents using Hunter's instructions were awful. I'm a small guy and I singlehand, so I needed a system that would allow me to raise the stick by myself without getting a back injury. I put together a very simple mast-raising system that allows me to raise and lower the mast by myself. Once I have everything in place, I stand near the tabernacle and raise the mast without ever having to leave that spot. I've used this system about 4 times each year for several years now. The system consists of a 8 foot long gin-pole made of 3" aluminum pipe (I've seen guys use a piece of 4"x4" lumber as well). This pins into a padeye I installed near the base of the mast using one of the tabernacle pins. At the other end of the ginpole, I have a couple of eyebolts to attach the forstay and my mainsheet tackle, which I have removed from the cockpit. At this end of the pole, I also have tied a couple of 12 ft long 1/4-inch dacron lines that will be used to steady the ginpole. I bought a new mainsheet that is long enough to allow me to get all the way back to the cockpit with the end of the mainsheet (about 75' of line will do). This is all I use. It doesn't provide quite the side to side support that an A-frame does, but it might be a little more portable. In fact, I often raise and lower the mast with the boat in the water. Here is the step-by-step mast raising procedure that I've used for the last 2 or 3 dozen mast steppings. You can also let the stick down by reversing this method. 1. Take your time. It helps to have a spotter make sure that your backstay doesn't get hung on something, and that the shrouds pull straight as you raise the mast. My 8 year old son is my spotter. If I feel any unusual resistance, I cleat the mainsheet and look around to see what the problem is. 2. Remove the rudder and install the yoke in the raised position. I installed a roller in my yoke so I can walk the mast back while holding onto the base end. Walk the mast aft until the base is even with the tabernacle. Install the aft mast pin into the tabernacle. 3. Pin the forestay to one end of the ginpole. Clip the mainsheet tackle to that same end. Clip the other end of the mainsheet to the jib tack pendant in the anchor well. Let the two 1/4" dacron lines hang free. Now pin the other end of the pole into the padeye near the base of the mast using a bolt or tabernacle pin. 4. You should have a pair of lifeline stanchions that are somewhat in line with the tabernacle. Tie or clip the 1/4" dacron lines into the base of the port and starboard stanchion bases. The pole should stand up by itself now. 5. I now take the free end of the mainsheet and wrap it around the winch on the side of the mast. I stand there and pull on the mainsheet with my right hand while I keep the mast steady with my left. If the boat is level and it's not very windy I don't have much problem with side to side motion. I continue to pull the mainsheet until the mast is nearly vertical (or the mainsheet tackle is fully closed). Cleat the mainsheet, which is now supporting the mast. 6. Now take the jib halyard and attach it to something solid (I use the cleat in the anchor well). Go back to the mast and pull the jibsheet tight to get the mast vertical. Cleat the jibsheet at the mast. The jibsheet is now supporting the mast until you can unpin the forestay from the ginpole and properly attach it to the boat. 7. If side-to-side motion is a problem, I sometimes use my halyards for support. Just before raising the mast, I clip my main halyard to the starboard stanchion base near the tabernacle. I clip the jib halyard to the port stanchion base. I snug and cleat each of these halyards on the mast. This seems to give enough support to keep the mast from going over the side. This is what works for me. I'm sure other sailors will have their own methods that work for them. If you need photos, reply to me and I'll send you some. Good Luck. Dan Bickford S/V Charlie Weaver
Dan Bickford E-mail Me
Dan, I have a 1988 H23. We built the "tri-pod" thing and it works great for side to side movement. Still shakey on the up/down. Thinking about single handling next year for a few trip. Would like more info. Would appreciate pics of your setup. Ginpole connections, main sheet setup. Thanks Bill Bowman Muskegon, MI Billbobow@cs.com
Dan, I have a 1988 H23. We built the "tri-pod" thing and it works great for side to side movement. Still shakey on the up/down. Thinking about single handling next year for a few trip. Would like more info. Would appreciate pics of your setup. Ginpole connections, main sheet setup. Thanks Bill Bowman Muskegon, MI Billbobow@cs.com
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