DIY Mast stepping, anyone done it?

[seumask]

We have done our Hunter delta 25 ( similar to your ranger) every year for at least 5 years with a timber (3 by 2) A frame secured to the nearest stanchion bases to the mast, on to the jib halyard (tied off). We have done it with two persons and the 4 to 1 mainsheet , one person lifitng and guiding, one person controlling the 4 to 1 at the front, but it is better with 4 people 2 contolling the lateral movement of the mast to keep it on the center line with the main and spinnaker halyards.

 

[penfold]

Three of us, (when we were young and fit) could manhandle our Sonata mast whilst afloat.
Have still got the crutch to fit on the transom.

Yup, done that many a time on Snotties, memorably we once did it while underway! It was flat calm though. The bolted mastfoot acts as a hinge/tabernacle, the rest is brute force and a fat bloke tugging on the jib halliard from the bow well. Using a shearlegs it would be straightforward for 1 and easy for 2 people.