Unstepping and Stepping Mast in Fort Myers, FL area for 2016 Catalina 22

[Cyb3rSail3r]

I have a 2016 Catalina Sport 22 located in Fort Myers, Florida that I need the mast unstepped. I've loaded it on the trailer, but I've never had to unstep a mast in a long time, and this configuration is slightly different then what I had worked with many years ago. My challenge is I need to find someone this week to help. me do it. Depending on the price, I may need your help to learn up to step it back and then unstep it again (maybe not the same day). Most of the sailboats I've owned have been 30' and above, but living in Florida now, and its best to have a boat on a trailer I think.

Please let me know if you would be available and when.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Try asking at a sailboat club/marina or a marine yard at Ft Myers.

II will be laid up but Catalina had offered a mast raise kit for the Catalina Sport 22. Send me a private message with your phon number.
Dave

 

[PaulK]

From the drawing here (CATALINA 22 MKII - sailboatdata) it looks like you should be able to attach a lowering line to a cleated jib halyard, disconnect the vang, remove the boom, loosen and detach the forestay and forward lowers and lower the mast towards the stern with the line on the jib halyard. Putting the line on a winch will be a good idea as you ease it down. You will need to hold the butt of the mast in place while you do this, so having someone else to help is a smart move. You could tie it in place somehow or hold it with one hand while you lower the halyard line with the other, but it needs to be done carefully. You do not want to stand forward of the mast while doing this. The mast should not be too heavy so it could be easier than you think to actually do if you do it slowly and watch what's going on with all the moving pieces. I used to step and unstep the mast on our Soling by myself, so it is possible, though a helper was always welcome.

 

[Sailm8]

It's not hard to do. My wife would pop the forestay loose with me on the cabin top. I would lower the mast and my wife would catch it over her head while I would jump down into the cockpit and take over the lowering until it rested on the pushpit. Piece of cake. Good luck

PS there is a device called MastUP that replaces the rudder and has a telescoping pole with a fork at the top to catch the mast and allows you to lower the mast at your leisure and transport on the highway. I don't know if it is still available but I can't recommended it. It rusted almost immediately.

 

[Cyb3rSail3r]

It's not hard to do. My wife would pop the forestay loose with me on the cabin top. I would lower the mast and my wife would catch it over her head while I would jump down into the cockpit and take over the lowering until it rested on the pushpit. Piece of cake. Good luck

PS there is a device called MastUP that replaces the rudder and has a telescoping pole with a fork at the top to catch the mast and allows you to lower the mast at your leisure and transport on the highway. I don't know if it is still available but I can't recommended it. It rusted almost immediately.

Thanks for the info. The previous owner built one from wood because the when they tried to use the MastUP pole, they couldn't figure out how to mount it because the traveler was in the way and became too much work. Here's a photo of the what they assembled:

 

[Rick Webb]

Thanks for the info. The previous owner built one from wood because the when they tried to use the MastUP pole, they couldn't figure out how to mount it because the traveler was in the way and became too much work. Here's a photo of the what they assembled:

View attachment 229621

Funny that the mast is padded and not the gelcoat.

 

[Cyb3rSail3r]

Funny that the mast is padded and not the gelcoat.

Great point. I noticed that as well, and will take care of it this week.