Hello, I need to ascend the mast of my 1978 Hunter 27, for the first time, to install a lazy jack system and a cdi roller furler. I weigh about 200 pounds. The boat is currently on Jack stands. I have a mountaineering type ascender system with a harness that is secure. I have two questions. First, can I do this and will the rig, and mast step sustain my weight? Second, can I do this while the boat is on jack stands or is it dangerous for me or the boat? Any help appreciated. Sean McElligott Belus 1978 Hunter 27
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CDI
I installed a CDI furler without going up the mast. Not sure why you'll need too. I'm admittedly a coward when it comes to height but somehow it doesn't sound prudent to go up the mast with just jack stands preventing the boat from falling over. In the water you'll get a little sway but on the hard you may get a lot more than that.
I installed a CDI furler without going up the mast. Not sure why you'll need too. I'm admittedly a coward when it comes to height but somehow it doesn't sound prudent to go up the mast with just jack stands preventing the boat from falling over. In the water you'll get a little sway but on the hard you may get a lot more than that.
Not Me
I wouldn't go up the mast on jack stands. I would wait until in the water, but its up to you.
I wouldn't go up the mast on jack stands. I would wait until in the water, but its up to you.
Thanks
Thanks for the responses. This is the type of question where if you get one "no" the question is probably answered. It seemed inherently dangerous to me also, just picturing what might happen. I wanted to take a measurement at the top of the mast for the CDI. But the CDI manual says just estimate so that is what I will do. I will wait on the lazy jacks until the spring. Thanks Again!!
Thanks for the responses. This is the type of question where if you get one "no" the question is probably answered. It seemed inherently dangerous to me also, just picturing what might happen. I wanted to take a measurement at the top of the mast for the CDI. But the CDI manual says just estimate so that is what I will do. I will wait on the lazy jacks until the spring. Thanks Again!!
If it's just an estimate...
Could you tie a tape measure to a halyard and get a close estimate. Or use the Pythagorean theorem?
Could you tie a tape measure to a halyard and get a close estimate. Or use the Pythagorean theorem?
Agree with Stan...
I thought the manual stated to run a tape to the top of the headsail stay with the halyard. I am very interested in what and how you do this Sean. I am assuming that you have the CDI FF2? That is the furler recommended for my Lancer 27. Was thinking of doing this myself, but I don't have any experience what-so-ever. Photos if you can please.
I thought the manual stated to run a tape to the top of the headsail stay with the halyard. I am very interested in what and how you do this Sean. I am assuming that you have the CDI FF2? That is the furler recommended for my Lancer 27. Was thinking of doing this myself, but I don't have any experience what-so-ever. Photos if you can please.
When the boat is on jack stands.....
It doesn't need much weight on the top of the stick to cause it to be top heavy, and the boat out of balance. While on the water, the boat will right its self. When on the hard, when you start to go, you will just keep going until ....kaboom.... Yes, wait until the boat is in the water.
It doesn't need much weight on the top of the stick to cause it to be top heavy, and the boat out of balance. While on the water, the boat will right its self. When on the hard, when you start to go, you will just keep going until ....kaboom.... Yes, wait until the boat is in the water.
Don't Do It
Sean, In most marinas it is verboten to climb the mast whilst on the hard. The insurance companys make this rule and for good reason. Your weight on top of the mast really increases the moment. All the stands do is hold the boat upright, and the stands can slip Fair Winds Cap'n Dave
Sean, In most marinas it is verboten to climb the mast whilst on the hard. The insurance companys make this rule and for good reason. Your weight on top of the mast really increases the moment. All the stands do is hold the boat upright, and the stands can slip Fair Winds Cap'n Dave
Measuring for A CDI furler
I installed my CDI FF7 furler without going up the mast. I believe the manual has specific instruction, but if not, here is how I measured it: Tie a line onto the shackle of your halyard, hoist it up to the masthead, hold the line parallel to the forestay and mark it at the bottom of the forestay. haul the halyard back, lay line out on the dock & measure. The CDI instructions will give you backoff lengths for cutting the foil to the proper length. P.S. the plastic foil is a bear to get straight (it comes coiled). it took a week in my garage to "relax" with lots of help. Other than that, if you follow the instructions, it's a snap to install! Good luck!
I installed my CDI FF7 furler without going up the mast. I believe the manual has specific instruction, but if not, here is how I measured it: Tie a line onto the shackle of your halyard, hoist it up to the masthead, hold the line parallel to the forestay and mark it at the bottom of the forestay. haul the halyard back, lay line out on the dock & measure. The CDI instructions will give you backoff lengths for cutting the foil to the proper length. P.S. the plastic foil is a bear to get straight (it comes coiled). it took a week in my garage to "relax" with lots of help. Other than that, if you follow the instructions, it's a snap to install! Good luck!
thanks and funny story
Thanks for all the input about going up the mast on the hard. Defintely seems like a bad idea. As far as the CDI installation goes, I wanted to go up there to make sure I was measuring "pin to pin" as the instructions say. But sounds like I should just run the tape measure up there and estimate the 1/2 inch or so further that the pin is. I am just a little nervous about cutting the luff extrusion based on that estimate because you can only cut it once. But it seems like that is the way to go. I have already had a hard time with the luff extrusion. As some of you probably know, it arrives all coiled up under a rather large amount of pressure. It is taped together to keep it coiled. I had heard that you want to get it untaped and laid out as quickly as possible before it takes a set. Unfortunately, the UPS guy delivered mine right at the end of cocktail hour when I wasn't expecting it. Despite this bad timing, I felt duty bound to lay it out in the basement right away. I very carefully compressed the end of it as hard as I could with my hand and cut the first piece of tape. As I very slowly released pressure on the end of it, I was very surprised that it didn't move. And then, wham! It snapped up and hit me in the face. Although I had cut the tape, it had remained stuck closed (for a second) just from the tape sticking on the other side. It all seemed so obvious in retrospect as I had a bag of ice on my face. Welcome to your new roller furler, rookie!
Thanks for all the input about going up the mast on the hard. Defintely seems like a bad idea. As far as the CDI installation goes, I wanted to go up there to make sure I was measuring "pin to pin" as the instructions say. But sounds like I should just run the tape measure up there and estimate the 1/2 inch or so further that the pin is. I am just a little nervous about cutting the luff extrusion based on that estimate because you can only cut it once. But it seems like that is the way to go. I have already had a hard time with the luff extrusion. As some of you probably know, it arrives all coiled up under a rather large amount of pressure. It is taped together to keep it coiled. I had heard that you want to get it untaped and laid out as quickly as possible before it takes a set. Unfortunately, the UPS guy delivered mine right at the end of cocktail hour when I wasn't expecting it. Despite this bad timing, I felt duty bound to lay it out in the basement right away. I very carefully compressed the end of it as hard as I could with my hand and cut the first piece of tape. As I very slowly released pressure on the end of it, I was very surprised that it didn't move. And then, wham! It snapped up and hit me in the face. Although I had cut the tape, it had remained stuck closed (for a second) just from the tape sticking on the other side. It all seemed so obvious in retrospect as I had a bag of ice on my face. Welcome to your new roller furler, rookie!
post updates
Sean Please post updates after you have installed. I am curious to find out how difficlt/easy this install is. thanks Chris Drifter II '82 H27
Sean Please post updates after you have installed. I am curious to find out how difficlt/easy this install is. thanks Chris Drifter II '82 H27
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