unstepping masts

[Tom]

It is about time to haul and this is my first time with this boat. How do I get the mast down without using a crane?My boat has a roller furler and can pivot on the mast step. Any advice welcome.Tom (508)358-6616.

 

[Bob V]

Help with your O'23

I can lower the mast on my O'23 with the help of one other guy if he sin't too weak. I use an 8 foot 2x4 with an eye-bolt on one end and a split 3 1/2 door hinge on the other for a gin pole. I do not have roller furling. I have my helper steady the mast while I remove the forward mast step pin. let the mast tip back enough to reinsert the pin in the hinge on the 2x4 instead of the mast. I attach the jib halyard to the eye on the other end of the 2x4 along with boom end of the main sheet block. with the other end of the main sheet block fastened to stem with the fore stay removed. Then lower away. I use a boom crutch or stern pulpit to hold the mast while I remove the aft mast step pin. Then with the helper slide the mast forward in a horizontal position until it rest on the bow pulpit. There are many ways to do it but this works for me.

 

[Steve C.]

Unstepping the mast

My son and I have stepped and unstepped the mast on our 23 (w/o a furler) a few times. I use an 8' 2X6 with a "U" cut in one end (fits the shape of the mast)and a couple heavy duty hooks(obtained a the local HD)to act as pintals. Remove the rudder and set this in place as the mast crutch. Sticks up about 3' or so above the pulpit. Place a 2X8 across the highest part of the cockpit right up against the companionway. Use this as a step up (or down) from the cockpit. One of us applies forward pressure to the mast while the other releases the forestay and pulls the forward tabernacle pin. With both of us at the mast, we begin backing up to lower the mast. At the critical point my son shoulders the mast while I step down to the 2X8 and we continue to lower the mast into the crutch. Then it's a matter of releasing the other tabernacle pin and sliding the mast forward. It's a little easier with 3 people but having done it a few times we know what to expect and it can be accomplished in one fluid move. The alternative is to create a mast raising system like those discuss elsewhere in this forum.

 

[Scott C]

Unstepping the mast alone.

I raise and lower my mast alone, to lower it I unattach all the stays pulling the rear tabernacle pin and then I walk it down to the bow and rest it on a padded 2" x 6", then pull the remaining pin and (the hard part) lift the mast as close to the center as I can and slide it back. Once you get ahold of the center of the mast its easy to carry it back. Reverse for lifting. The mast isnt that heavy its just a little awkward.

 

[Tom]

Many thanks to Bob V,Steve C,and Scott C for their helpful ideas on mast removal.Good examples of how useful this forum is.Tom T