lowering mast - Jeanneau Tonic

[Guest]

This year I would like to take down the mast myself. Can you experienced types tell me the steps in the procedure. In partic, the shrouds - do they stay connected to control side to side? I presume its 1) loosen backstay 2) release forestay 3)?shrouds 4)lower with control using ?topping lift from top of mast held from over bow (?on winch) 5) support from aft (old windsurf mast with yoke stuck in end). I think I've almost got it in theory but I'm worried it could all go pear shaped and crasd! .... help!

 

[cynthia]

My brother has a Tonic - he's coming out for a holiday next week, so I'll contact you later!

 

[extravert]

I used to raise and lower my mast myself on my previous boat (an Extravert). It had a 30 foot mast, and it was never a pleasant job. Get prepared and then for the actual lowering get as many people as you can to help. People usually don't mind spending 5 minutes to help, the bigger the better.

Your procedure sounds about right. I used the main halyard tied off at the mast base and then through the bow roller back to a winch. This holds the weight initially but not for the last part as the angle is too small. But by then you can reach up and grab it.

Have a few pieces of wood and old newspapers around to cushion your deck from any sharp parts of the mast when it is fully down.

One tip I learned the hard way... it mainly applies to raising the mast but as a lowering often has a few false it's useful to do this for a lowering as well. Once the shrouds go slack the turnbuckles fall over and lay down on the deck. If you then raise the mast again they can get jammed in their horizontal position. This then bends the lower threaded part of the turnbuckle that attached to the chainplate. These are expensive to replace! To stop this before lowering put tape around the chainplate/lower threaded portion so that when the shrouds go slack they don't fall over.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for tips. From what you say, the shrouds will just loosen as the mast tilts back? or loosen a bit before start (concerned re keeping side to side stability). Good point re chain plates.

 

[cynthia]

Advice from broth.

The following is necessary as the mast foot is lower than the cabin roof, so the process is rather complicated.
Remove the boom before starting this process.

1. Get an extending ladder and wrap the top rung with old carpet to avoid damage to mast. You will also need a length of rope to attach to forestay. This is in addition to a crutch for use in the cockpit which is the same height as the cabin roof.
2. One person (pref. 2) on coach roof to steady mast in lowering process + one person to position the ladder at the rear of the boat + one person to lower mast from front.
2. Tie the rope to the forestay, man on coachroof pushes/holds mast fwd. then the forestay can be released.
3. Allow mast to fold backwards with tension on rope, ensuring that ladder supports the mast at the soonest possible moment. Person on coachroof to steady the mast during the loweing process.
4. Person on coachroof must ensure the mast remains central.
5. Once weight of the mast is on ladder, the ladder may be shortened one rung at a time, until the mast is just clear of the coach roof, then no tension will be on the forestay.
6. The mast can now be freed from the mast step (base) and lifted forwards, then the ladder may be removed and the mast sat in the crutch, resting on the pulpit. You may wish to place a piece of wood, secured across the pulpit, for this purpose.
7. The shrouds may then be undone, but this is not necessary.
There is any easier way if you have the luxury of a banking to back the boat up to. Then a person at the top of the bank can control the lowering of the mast, rather than using a ladder. The other alternative is to higher a crane at great expense!
The operation is not as bad as it sounds.

Good luck.

 

[Guest]

Why not make a set of shear legs. Aluminim tubing A frame a bit more than 1/2 mast height with a block and tackle attached at the top. Padded feet tied to shroud chainplates or adjacent toe rail. Set up in front of mast with fore and aft guys. You can lift mast in and out with 2 people. Put a cleat on 1 side of A frame for the tail of block and tackle line. This set up should be able to cope with masts of the size that are capable of being manhandled as described.

Cheers

Lash

 

[Guest]

Thanks. This is particularly helpful. Will try it all out soon. Will prob stay in till end of October as the weather in Cornwall is usually still nice.
Dave