Lowering and raising mast

[m1taylor]

Hi, I have a small trailer sailer (Pedro 17, which is lesser version of Seahawk). The mast is not vast, nor heavy. But I have not mastered a technique of raising or lowering the mast without enlisting the help of another person, and feeling vulnerable on the coach roof with a swaying mast. Ideally with a boat this small I should be able to devise a system to do this single handed. Any suggestions? And no /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif!!

 

[Talbot]

some form of A frame. or loose shrouds either side that allow the mast to be raised, but restrict the sideways movement.

 

[bellamia]

Hi i have an evolution22 & have put together a system of ropes that i can raise/lower mast on my own if req. I have made up an a frame of 6mm rope that attaches to an eyelet half way up the mast & the lower ends attach to the centre shroad plates inline with the pivot point of the mast, this stops the mast moving sideways. I then use a spinaker pole attached to the mast brkt so it pivots with the mast at almost a right angle to it, the fore sail halyard attaches to the end of this pole. When the mast is lying on the coachroof the pole is almost vertical, ithen use the main sail sheet & tackle to pull up the mast, one end attached to end of spinaker pole & other end attached to forestay plate. You may also req a rope either side of the spinaker pole to stop that moving sideways. Hope this is helpfull, sounds a bit complicated but works well.

 

[VicS]

I use an A frame. I connect the forestay to an eye bolt at the apex on one side and the mainsheet tackle to one on the other then down to the stem head.
Fortunately I have a beam across the cabin top on which the mast step is mounted so the feet of the A frame feet rest up against the ends of that. Its apex just about reaches the stem head fitting.
I connect all the other standing rigging and stand the bottle screws up with bits of thin shock cord tied to the guard rails etc so that they cannot snag on the U bolts.

Because the shrouds are attached at deck level there is not good lateral stability but I find that I can haul on the mainsheet tackle while just steadying the mast with one hand. The alternative would be to bring one set of shroud attachments up to a point in line with the mast step pivot.

I prefer to have someone else handy because the wires. especially the back stays can easily get caught on something. Outboard bracket for example, if they can catch on something they will!

There is a big shearing load on the screws fixing the mast step so you must be sure about them.

I would not do it afloat or in a high wind.

I have seen one forum member raise a fairly heavy wooden mast on a Hillyard he use to own using much the same technique, but just a smallish set of shear legs rather than an A frame. The boat did have a proper tabernacle IIRC which is a great help with the lateral stability.

 

[Rabbie]

On my Leisure 17 I simply used the main sheet block and slowly lowered it onto my shoulder. I even 'shot' bridges on the Broads by this method. I had to devise a quick-release shackle for the shrouds but that was easy.

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
I even 'shot' bridges on the Broads by this method

[/ QUOTE ] That reminded me my bro in law used to do that with his gunter rigged Lysander. Sail still up!
IIRC he had something to lower it onto. He had the forestay attached to the stem head fitting with a simple two purchase tackle with the string to control it taken back to the cockpit.

 

[William_H]

I reckon here on the Swan River with low bridges to access the ocean yachties have to master the mast lowering while under way. Racing yachts up to 70ft lower the masts on a regular basis.

So for you I would suggest firstly that you make a set of crossed legs which can be firmly attached at the transom on which you support the mast when down. Make the support as high as you can reach to lift the mast into it while you stand on the cockpit seats.

From stowed position (Mast foot at the bow.) You lift the mast into the crutch and slide it back until the mast base can be connected to the tabernacle. The mast should be around 30degrees from horizontal and the worst of the lifting is done. Using a tackle on the forestay you may be able to lift the mast from standing on the cabin top while pulling on the tackle on the forestay. Have helpers when you first try this.
The easier way is to use a pole from the mast base to the bottom of the forestay (as already described) to improve the angle of pull of the tackle.
Most people around here find 2 poles (spin poles are good) pivotted on fittings on the side deck are much easier than guying one pole.

This means the mast can be raised by pulling on the tackle alone (3
purchase) would be good for you.

You will need to support the mast sideways from the cabin top especially for a fractional rig boat.
A mast head rig can have the chain plates extended rigidly up so that they pivot in a line with the mast pivot so they stay tight from mast horizontal to vertical.

On large fractional rig boats there is tendency to a new system which has a pair of poles pivoting on the deck about half way from transom to mast. The top of the poles (spin poles usually) are attached to a slider car that runs up the mainsail track. As the mast comes down the slider is pulled by a halyard up the track so that eventually the slider is toward the top of the mast and the two poles run from the deck at an angle to near the top of the mast forming a mast crutch while all the time holding the mast central to the boat.
This method can, by hauling on a line on the slider lift the mast up to a point where a tackle on the forestay can pull directly to get the mast vertical.
This method is excellent for lowering a heavy mast in a busy river while underway. No amount of boat rolling will upset the mast.
It is however only really good for lowering the mast to about 30 degrees ie for a bridge but is not good for lowering to the deck, removing mast or refitting.
If you really wanted control then a combination of both methods would really be safe.

On my 21fter I can stand on the cabin top while pulling on the hoisting tackle and supporting he mast sideways without too much trouble. (using two poles to the bottom of the forestay) I also use a highfield lever at the forestay which simplifies the attachment of forestay.

good luck PM me if you want explanation. olewill