How can I put my mast up in Boston?

[paulrossall]

I have a Macwester 30 and will bring it from Newark, down the Trent, Fossdyke and Witham to Boston in the company of a Evolution 26 and a Highlander (30ft). We want to errect our masts at Boston but cannot find any facility to do this. The Commercial Dock did used to offer assistance as a last resort but due to cutbacks they can no longer offer this service. (By the way the Harbour Master was very apologetic and did his best to help me). The current in the river runs fast and I do not want to have to carry an "A frame". We can pull the masts up if we can get nose on to a 20/30 foot wall but we cannot find one. Has anyone any idea how we can overcome this problem, other than motor all the way to Lowestoft?

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by paulrossall on Thu May 16 23:25:54 2002 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[ponapay]

Find a friendly crane (or fork lift) driver and tip him well.

ponapay

 

[johnsomerhausen]

In 1970, having gone through the Breton canals from the Channel to the Bay of Biscay, I used the bridge at La Roche Bernard to hoist the mast of my 28 ft "Atlante" class boat. I anchored in mid-channel with two anchors so that the current would keep the boat in place and went up to the bridge (60 meters above the water) and attaccched the end of my anchor warp, with the mainsheet at the lower end. I used the mainsheet as a tackle fastened below the crosstrees and with the help of my 8-years old son, managed to raise the mast. I wonder if I don't hold some sort of record there....
john

 

[paulrossall]

John
I was considering useing the last road bridge in Boston which is probably at about 10 metres high. Having read your posting I don't know what I was worrying about, in the absence of any other suggestion I will follow your lead and just go for it. Thanks
Paul