Taking down and putting the mast back up???

Honeyman · Jun 25, 2009

Check out the wiring bundle that goes through the mast step and make sure there is plenty of "slack" and then label all wires on BOTH sides of where they disconnect. It could be at the base of mast step in the bilge, or at the top of it in the cabin "roof", or in the lower part of mast, or a combination of the above. If needed, attach and pull messenger lines to help repull wires. Even if you use #1, #2, #3, #4 etc. 'cause you don't know what they are, it's OK. Is/Are there co-ax cable(s) for VHF, CB, TV antenna? Label and see if there are connectors. Figure out if you need new halyards, now is the time to replace them...same with standing wire rigging. Worst case, LABEL all halyards, spreaders, forestay, backstay, shrouds (side) upper/lower if aplicable. Take lots of pictures, keep track of all the shackles, turnbuckles, etc. Do you know how to rethread the mainsheet and or traveler, can you remove the boom vang, etc., etc.? Lots of details, but don't let it overwhelm you.

Ed Schenck · Jun 26, 2009

Good advice from an expert above. Especially heed that about replacing and fixing things while the mast is horizontal.

You do not state what kind of hoist you will use. You will want at least two helpers, three would be better. The attachment point will be just below the spreaders, kind of a balance point where the "crew" can position the mast on the step. The hoist attachment needs to have a release. Or you can rig it so that it just slides down the mast. Two of the crew need to stay with the mast at the step while two crew attach backstay, furler/forestay, and shrouds.

pimerese · Jun 26, 2009

Id also inspect the shievs and replace if necessary, inspect any lights for internal corrosion and replace all bulbs.

Nereussailor · Jun 26, 2009

if you're taking the lower stays off of the mast make sure that they are labeled for port and starboard, and fore and aft. The lengths are different on the fore and aft stays by a couple of inches. I learned from experience when the marina that packed my H30 for moving from Wisconsin to Florida only labeled them lower port and starboard. When we put up the mast, they were backwards on both sides.(What are the odds) it wasn't anything that couldn't be fixed, it just took extra time.
We had three people helping besides the crane operator, and no one was standing around.
Also, if you have a mast base where the halyards go through sheaves in the bottom of the mast base, there is a small plate, with a pin on it, on each side that holds the sheaves in the base. My plates were screwed in with machine screws with nuts on the inside. I'm not sure if it was that way from factory, but if you want to get your halyards under the sheaves, the easiest way is to remove them and put them back after the mast is up. The screws that hold the pins in should be tapped into the mast base if you want to get them back in after the mast is up. (no way to put the nuts back on once the mast is up) I used a 1/4" tap and pan head screws with some blue loctite on them.
It sure beat trying to fish the lines through with the mast hanging.
And as always, be careful of the windex if you have one. The crane operator busted mine and we had to go up the mast with a bosuns chair to replace it.
Hope this is understandable and helps

Dave

peptobysmol · Jun 30, 2009

When are you launching? I'm nearby and might be able to help with some of the grunt work.

Taking down and putting the mast back up???

steveebryant

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Honeyman

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Ed Schenck

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pimerese

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Nereussailor

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peptobysmol

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