Using furler cable as forward line in mast raising method

[Windtherapy]

Is this a no no? I don't see why not and see others using it but see most not and just connecting the furler after the mast is up (I have a CDI furler). Thought I should ask because I am just getting ready to build my mast raising system which I will use the A frame method and not the gin pole method. I know I can use the main halyard which some do but just curious on this. I will always have me and another (my wife) raising the mast so I thought if one did use the furler cable, one person can just pull tight on it after the mast is up or hold the mast forward until the furler is connected. Pro's and con's please!

Picture attached shows one person using it but that doesn't mean it is a good idea I know.

 

[Jackdaw]

First you're going to have to tell me how you get the furler attached to the apex of A-frame.

I can see a couple of ways but it makes it more complex, not less.

 

[Windtherapy]

Good point--that's why I ask these things. Still learning SO MUCH! Haven't even looked at my furler that close yet. Been too busy doing so many other things. Furler and mast raising system is next as soon as the snow gets the heck out of here.

 

[Capt jgw]

I used this same method to raise the masts on my trailerable boats, but I didn't have furlers on them. You can lift using either the head stay or a halyard, I used a halyard. With a metal furler foil which could be kinked, I would think that lifting by the head stay would keep the foil straight and reduce that risk. The plastic CDI foil is about indestructible, so I don't think it will matter which method you use. The halyard is easier to connect to the A frame.

 

[rgranger]

Do you have your A-frame yet? Another way I've done it (on two different boats) is to use a gin-pole. Then keep the gin pole from tipping side to side with some nylon tow straps or ss wire rope. It is about the same idea but maybe a bit less difficult to build and store.

 

[Windtherapy]

Do you have your A-frame yet? Another way I've done it (on two different boats) is to use a gin-pole. Then keep the gin pole from tipping side to side with some nylon tow straps or ss wire rope. It is about the same idea but maybe a bit less difficult to build and store.

Just curious where do you hook the nylon tow straps to?

 

[DAVA390]

Agree with using (in my case) the jilb halyard to do the pulling. This keeps the forestay lower end free to be attached to the deck and snugged up while the halyard is still attached to the winch, in my case the trailer winch.

 

[rgranger]

Just curious where do you hook the nylon tow straps to?

There are a set of padeyes port and starboard of where you set the gin-pole. The straps just keep the gin-pole from falling left to right.

 

[Henry Scurlock]

Wind, I use a gin pole setup and the jib halyard on my boat, which also has a CDI furler. I find that I am able to tighten up on the lifting to pull just a little more allowing some flex in the furler when making the connection. That way I have less worries about getting the pin in without the mast falling. This setup also allows me to stop long enough to re-orient myself and a helper to better handle the rig. A little break in the work helps relieve the feeling of being hurried to lock in the forestay

 

[rgranger]

Wind, I use a gin pole setup .....

Haha.... I think that represents a classic Freudian slip....

Let it blow and lets go sailing.

 

[Windtherapy]

I would love to try a gun pole method. I saw one sailor who cut the gin pole exactly to wrap around the mast and sit at the very bottom of the mast against the plate. He claimed because the gin pole was tight around the mast it stopped the lateral movement. Maybe on a small mast but I don't think I would trust it solely. Maybe that concept AND straps serving as the A-frame would work great.

 

[rgranger]

Do a search for mast raising systems on uTube. And the owner's manuals of many boats also describe the set up. I attached the Balboa 26 owners manual to this post. It has a very detailed description. It is kind of scary the first time but once you have done it a few times you won't mind it so much. Practice in the driveway before heading to the ramp.

 

[Ken Cross]

Wind:
I don't know what kind of boat or the height or weight of the mast, but I had a McGregor 26D with a gin pole and found that lateral stability was just okay. I still had a bit of lateral movement. There were some "baby stays" intended to prevent that. In our case I used a block & tackle setup that I transferred to use as a boom vang when we sailed. What I was going to point out is you need to keep it so it can be raised single hand because the second person is needed to for example untangle a line that hangs up while you are halfway up. This sort of thing happened more than I'd like to admit. The compact size and simplicity is the advantage of a pole. If that doesn't matter I'd go with the "A" frame.

Also think of a way to tie it off if you need to stop before you are all the way up.
Ken

 

[Meriachee]

Using the furler line, or using any of the halyards (or all, for that matter) is quite a common way to tie the mast to the gin pole. The mast needs to be supported side to side, either with baby stays or some mechanical attachment. In the attached picture you see the forward A frame used as the classic gin pole, but there's a secondary pair of poles on the same pivot that support a strap that goes around the mast, preventing side to side deviation.
The forward line is run through a 6:1 block setup that is routed back to a primary winch. While 6:1 is probably a little overkill, and not very fast, the loads on the winch are significantly reduced.
(This picture is a test of the top down furler installation, disregard that, it has nothing to do with the mast raising)

 

[dscribner]

We have a roller furler on our Lancer 25. Originally we stepped towards the stern, using the back stay. The problem was that the mast went well past its mid point on the pushpit and was a pain to hold down. SO I flipped the operation, but to do so I added a pad eye near the masthead, thru bolted for strength (as me how I did THAT!) and a length of StaSet (used only for stepping). Now, I roll the mast rearward, set the base of the mast in the tabernacle slot and pull back. The pin in the "L" shaped slot locks it in place Add the gin pole and bridle, a couple of temporary stays and we're ready to go. Total time is about 10 minutes. Actual raising the mast is about 10 seconds. My mast section is 3 1/2 X 6 at about 125 pounds. Some folks use the boom and mainsheet to raise but I made a gin pole as mentioned and added everything I need to step to it. So it has a 4:1 block and tackle, a ratchet strap to hold it to the mast, an eye to hook the StaSet to, a bridle line on each side to hook to the toe rail and keep it from going over and a line with a snap shackle to keep the roller drum off the deck. I place it on the mast, roll forward and hook the StaSet, roll it back and stomp on the saddle (over the mast) and ratchet strap it, grab the B&T and attach to the bow cleat, hook the bridle lines to the toe rail and tighten with a single line. At this point the temporary stays are still on the mast so I tighten them with the main halyard and I'm ready to go. 10 seconds later, she's standing tall. Works pretty well. I'll post pics later if anybody is interested.

 

[Windtherapy]

We have a roller furler on our Lancer 25. Originally we stepped towards the stern, using the back stay. The problem was that the mast went well past its mid point on the pushpit and was a pain to hold down. SO I flipped the operation, but to do so I added a pad eye near the masthead, thru bolted for strength (as me how I did THAT!) and a length of StaSet (used only for stepping). Now, I roll the mast rearward, set the base of the mast in the tabernacle slot and pull back. The pin in the "L" shaped slot locks it in place Add the gin pole and bridle, a couple of temporary stays and we're ready to go. Total time is about 10 minutes. Actual raising the mast is about 10 seconds. My mast section is 3 1/2 X 6 at about 125 pounds. Some folks use the boom and mainsheet to raise but I made a gin pole as mentioned and added everything I need to step to it. So it has a 4:1 block and tackle, a ratchet strap to hold it to the mast, an eye to hook the StaSet to, a bridle line on each side to hook to the toe rail and keep it from going over and a line with a snap shackle to keep the roller drum off the deck. I place it on the mast, roll forward and hook the StaSet, roll it back and stomp on the saddle (over the mast) and ratchet strap it, grab the B&T and attach to the bow cleat, hook the bridle lines to the toe rail and tighten with a single line. At this point the temporary stays are still on the mast so I tighten them with the main halyard and I'm ready to go. 10 seconds later, she's standing tall. Works pretty well. I'll post pics later if anybody is interested.

I would be interested in photos.

 

[dscribner]

I'll see what I can put together tomorrow

 

[Windtherapy]

I'll see what I can put together tomorrow

That would be awesome--thank you!