What is best way raise and lower mask

[Dan]

I own a 26 O Day and usually have marina raise and lower the mask. It cost 50 dollars every time I do this. Do any of you have a good way of doing it yourself.

 

[Ben Allen]

Stepping the Mast

Dan,Check the archives, there has been a lot of post on this one item.Ben AllenMontgomery, AL"Latte Dah"O 26

 

[Rick]

Mast Raise/lower

Dan,Check out the write-up and drawing in the archive section, titled "O'day 25 Mast Raise", done Oct.22, 2000. I used it to lower the mast on my 25' last fall and plan to use this system in reverse to raise it this weekend. Hope it helps you out.Happy Sailing!Rick Leger"Tiny Dancer"

 

[Dave Simpson]

Mast stepping

I have a crutch that I made from a 2x4 and had it set in the gudeons. Then the mast was set in the crutch and moved back till the step was in the tabernacle. Beware however that gravity will take over. I had a dock line loosely tied over the mast using the handrails as anchors, to keep the mast from going over backwards. Then pin one side of the tabernacle. Put another dockline on the forestay and run it through a fairlead back to you in the cockpit. (I was doing this myself, but I do recomend getting help).Close the main hatch, take a deep breath and walk the mast up, realizing that theres no turning back once you start. When the mast is up, tie off the line on the foresay to keep the mast from going backwards. Then go forward and pin the turnbuckle. Afterwards, go back and put in pin #2 on the tabernacle. Finially, adjust tension on the turnbukcle. Personally, if the yard is willing to do it for a small fee, let 'em.