Yesterday, for the first time, I tried using a gin pole for our H23. Started out just fine - was able to start lowering the mast. My son was guiding the mast downward, I was operating the winch. Then, the gin pole swung to the side and so did the mast. I thought the mast bent - large bend sideways... I released the line - we brought the mast to center (it's fairly heavy - Kenyon mast)Struggled to get the pins out of the severely bent mast plate... I will never use a gin pole again. When we raised it without the pole, my son pulled from the ground on an extension of the jib halyard - worked quite well - had two crew on board to keep the mast centered - went up smoothly... Will do the same next time we lower the mast. As many have contributed - the original 1986 brochure with a husband and wife - no gin pole is deceptive to say the least... Frustrated "new owner" Jack K.
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Ken
Lowering the mast without difficulty.
About 9 months ago, I found some info on the internet on how to raise and lower the mast single handed on my Hunter 25. It works GREAT. It won't help this time, but will make life easier the next time you need to drop it. I have a 3 page description that I would be happy to share it with you by email if you are interested - email me at ken@2ndwindcs.com.
About 9 months ago, I found some info on the internet on how to raise and lower the mast single handed on my Hunter 25. It works GREAT. It won't help this time, but will make life easier the next time you need to drop it. I have a 3 page description that I would be happy to share it with you by email if you are interested - email me at ken@2ndwindcs.com.
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Ron
H26 System?
Jack, Just wondering how your H23 system is different than the H26. Is the gin pole not inserted right into the mast body so it can't swing? Also, are there not side safety wires which prevent the mast from swinging to the side? The H26 system uses a gin pole and jib halyard and has worked very nicely for many years. Can the H26 system be used for the H23? Just a thought-
Jack, Just wondering how your H23 system is different than the H26. Is the gin pole not inserted right into the mast body so it can't swing? Also, are there not side safety wires which prevent the mast from swinging to the side? The H26 system uses a gin pole and jib halyard and has worked very nicely for many years. Can the H26 system be used for the H23? Just a thought-
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Thomas King
H23.5 Mast Raising/Lowering System
Jack, I bought a 1995 Hunter 23.5 in March. The stock mast handling system consists of the gin pole (inserts in the base of the mast0, two guy wires (insert on each side of the mast about 6' up from the bottom and attach to the base of the stanchions), the jib halyard and the main sheet. I followed the instructions in the owners manual and was able to raise the mast the first try, by myself, in about 40 minutes (which included numerous references to the manual). The mainsheet attaches to a pad-eye in the forward anchor locker and to the top/forward eye on the gin pole. The jib halyard attaches to the top/aft eye on the gin pole. I can raise and lower the mast myself, but it works easier when I manually handle the mast while my wife works the mainsheet/gin pole. I don't know what the H23 systems consists of but maybe it could be modified to be like the 23.5, 26, 240 and 260 models which are all similar. Good Luck and write back if you would like any information or photo's faxed or e-mailed to you.
Jack, I bought a 1995 Hunter 23.5 in March. The stock mast handling system consists of the gin pole (inserts in the base of the mast0, two guy wires (insert on each side of the mast about 6' up from the bottom and attach to the base of the stanchions), the jib halyard and the main sheet. I followed the instructions in the owners manual and was able to raise the mast the first try, by myself, in about 40 minutes (which included numerous references to the manual). The mainsheet attaches to a pad-eye in the forward anchor locker and to the top/forward eye on the gin pole. The jib halyard attaches to the top/aft eye on the gin pole. I can raise and lower the mast myself, but it works easier when I manually handle the mast while my wife works the mainsheet/gin pole. I don't know what the H23 systems consists of but maybe it could be modified to be like the 23.5, 26, 240 and 260 models which are all similar. Good Luck and write back if you would like any information or photo's faxed or e-mailed to you.
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Mark Major
H23 Mast raising
I single hand, this is how I raise and lower my mast. Click on related link. Mark Major, s/v Lesismor, 86H23
I single hand, this is how I raise and lower my mast. Click on related link. Mark Major, s/v Lesismor, 86H23
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mike
more on mast raising
Yes I can see how you'd have problems if the jin pole slipped sideways. It has happened to me before so I now have lines attached to the top of the jin pole to the stanchion bases to prevent this. I have also made a tripod out of EMT thinwall conduit to prevent the mast from going sideways. With this system I can raise the mast by myself, but as you mentioned..........having two people on board to stabilize the mast is insurance. It's not the fault of the jin pole. The jin pole will greatly increase the efficiency of lifting or lowering the mast. But it should also be attached to the base of the mast.
Yes I can see how you'd have problems if the jin pole slipped sideways. It has happened to me before so I now have lines attached to the top of the jin pole to the stanchion bases to prevent this. I have also made a tripod out of EMT thinwall conduit to prevent the mast from going sideways. With this system I can raise the mast by myself, but as you mentioned..........having two people on board to stabilize the mast is insurance. It's not the fault of the jin pole. The jin pole will greatly increase the efficiency of lifting or lowering the mast. But it should also be attached to the base of the mast.
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Ray Bowles
Jack, With the temporary side shrouds hooked
up and with the 10 to 15 degree upward angle on the gin pole there shouldn't be any problem. The gin pole is cut on the base so as to fit the internal conduits in the mast. The owners manual for the 23 and 26 are the same so I'm fairly sure yours is the same as our H26. I'm thankful that no one was hurt but damaging the mast does hurt the wallet. Our mast is a Zpar and not a Kenyon. Is your mast the original?Let us know what you find as we raise our mast a lot and any problem area is important. Ray S/V Speedy
up and with the 10 to 15 degree upward angle on the gin pole there shouldn't be any problem. The gin pole is cut on the base so as to fit the internal conduits in the mast. The owners manual for the 23 and 26 are the same so I'm fairly sure yours is the same as our H26. I'm thankful that no one was hurt but damaging the mast does hurt the wallet. Our mast is a Zpar and not a Kenyon. Is your mast the original?Let us know what you find as we raise our mast a lot and any problem area is important. Ray S/V Speedy
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Steve Burke
You guys are scaring me
Wow you guys are scaring me...im launching my newly purchased H23 this weekend...i was planning on just man-handling (with some help of course)the kenyon spar like i used to on my catalina 22...does anyone else step this way?...and if so...how many bodies will i need?
Wow you guys are scaring me...im launching my newly purchased H23 this weekend...i was planning on just man-handling (with some help of course)the kenyon spar like i used to on my catalina 22...does anyone else step this way?...and if so...how many bodies will i need?
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Ray Bowles
Steve, Raising the mast on a H23 or H26 is
absolutly no problem!!!! Use the supplied temporary short shrouds, then the main sheet block assembly is attached from the anchor locker u-bolt to the gin pole cable eyelet. The gin pole has cut relief points to fit the inside of the mast hole. Then the jib haylard line is attached to the other gin pole cable eyelet and the gin pole is tensioned to about 15 degrees positive list towards the mast top. Make the jib halyard line very tight and secure. Now raise the mast. Just be sure your main mast shroud toggle bolts, where they attach to the chain plate u-bolts, are straight up and don't bind and bend. I often raise the mast on our H26 by myself in less than 20 minutes. It takes me 1 1/2 hour to totally outfit the boat, raise the mast and launch by myself. I don't understand the problems and horror stories about doing this process. If someone lacks a factory manual, lacks the short mast raising shrouds or is not understanding of this raising procedure then they should not try this procedure. This is a easy process. Equipment failure is possibe but not likely. Read, understand, walk through the process and then do! Just remember the shroud turnbolts! Ray S/V Speedy
absolutly no problem!!!! Use the supplied temporary short shrouds, then the main sheet block assembly is attached from the anchor locker u-bolt to the gin pole cable eyelet. The gin pole has cut relief points to fit the inside of the mast hole. Then the jib haylard line is attached to the other gin pole cable eyelet and the gin pole is tensioned to about 15 degrees positive list towards the mast top. Make the jib halyard line very tight and secure. Now raise the mast. Just be sure your main mast shroud toggle bolts, where they attach to the chain plate u-bolts, are straight up and don't bind and bend. I often raise the mast on our H26 by myself in less than 20 minutes. It takes me 1 1/2 hour to totally outfit the boat, raise the mast and launch by myself. I don't understand the problems and horror stories about doing this process. If someone lacks a factory manual, lacks the short mast raising shrouds or is not understanding of this raising procedure then they should not try this procedure. This is a easy process. Equipment failure is possibe but not likely. Read, understand, walk through the process and then do! Just remember the shroud turnbolts! Ray S/V Speedy
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Kathy
Ray, older H23's do not have a gin pole
or short shrouds. And the instructions leave a lot to be desired. Apparently the 23.5's have a better system and are often confused with the 23's. Jack, we had a similar problem when we first used our 1986 H23. Raising the mast went OK, but at the end of the season when just the 2 of us lowered it, it leaned over to one side and we ended up damaging the bottom of the mast. Our solution now is to raise and lower the mast using a line to the top of the mast (spinnaker halyard will do). We do not use the winch. One person works the mast in the boat and the other is on land working the line to the mast. Two people can do this, but we always ask a friend(s) to help just in case.
or short shrouds. And the instructions leave a lot to be desired. Apparently the 23.5's have a better system and are often confused with the 23's. Jack, we had a similar problem when we first used our 1986 H23. Raising the mast went OK, but at the end of the season when just the 2 of us lowered it, it leaned over to one side and we ended up damaging the bottom of the mast. Our solution now is to raise and lower the mast using a line to the top of the mast (spinnaker halyard will do). We do not use the winch. One person works the mast in the boat and the other is on land working the line to the mast. Two people can do this, but we always ask a friend(s) to help just in case.
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Steve Burke
short shrouds? gin poles? instructions?
kathy's right...no short shrouds or gin poles on my 86H23...uh...and no instructions either...im hoping that two 45 year old geezers and their two beefy teenage boys can do the job...if not look for my "wanted to buy" ad for a mast...i'll definately hook a line up to the masthead...that kenyon stick looks massive compared to the C22... ...thanx
kathy's right...no short shrouds or gin poles on my 86H23...uh...and no instructions either...im hoping that two 45 year old geezers and their two beefy teenage boys can do the job...if not look for my "wanted to buy" ad for a mast...i'll definately hook a line up to the masthead...that kenyon stick looks massive compared to the C22... ...thanx
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