Unstepping a mast _ HELP please

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wallydoo

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I need to remove my mast. It has 2 spreaders spaced at about 1/3 and 2/3 of the way up the mast.

How do I get the strop around the mast above the first set of spreaders please without going up the mast please?

Do I need to support it under the top spreaders for the lift?

Many thanks

Dave

ps the crane operator is a mate and never done this before on a boat....but he is cheap - ( a six pack )
 
I suggest you get help form some one who has done it before but:

Step ladder or throwing?

There are lots of hints and tips to make this job easier, is she deck stepped? or keel stepped?
 
Got a pole you can lift the strop over the first spreaders with?
Long strop so both ends fall back to deck height. Then you can connect them and attach to crane hook. Something soft wrapped around hook? If he's not used to waving it around masts.
 
Would help if you told us a little about your boat or, had a more comprehensive profile.

That aside, what is the issue of someone going aloft? It's not too far to the mid point of the mast, and once the mast is un-stepped the strop will be right there and easy to remove.

If you are keel stepped, it 'just might' be ok to lift below the lower spreaders but, be very aware that you will need a strongish, heavyish bod to control the heel as it comes free of the deck.
 
maxi said:
. . . . . . be very aware that you will need a strongish, heavyish bod to control the heel as it comes free of the deck.
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and you must attach a 30 - 40 foot line to the lowest part of the mast BEFORE you start lifting so that when it starts to wave around, or go skywards due to the fact that the lifting strop atop the mast is below the center of gravity, you will have something to control the wayward end. :rolleyes:

As far as attaching the crane lifting part (strop), use a timber hitch with a line that has a SWL greater than the weight of the mast plus 50%, you might find that fitting the strop below the upper hounds could be useful.

It is very important that everyone on deck is fully aware if any risk of a failed lift, and do check on adequate insurance and you have the full blessing of the marina operator? ;)
 
They simply use the main halyard at out yacht club
the rope is made fast to the mast then other end comes from the top of the mast...mast can't fall over ...simple
do you understand what i mean?
 
The best i have ever been demasted was in Middelharnis on the Haringvliet. They used the spinnaker halyard. Lower the crane hook to the deck, attach the halyard using a bowline, raise the hook to just above the masthead, take in the halyard and cleat it, then lift after removing the shroud and stay connections to chain plates. A refinement in that case was that they used a basket to haul a man up first to remove instruments and antenna, but I have seen it done without, and not damaging the masthead kit.
 
l'escargot said:
When you get a strop round, have a line attached to it which can be tensioned around the mast below the cleats or winch so the spreaders aren't taking the weight of the mast.
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This important, the spreader fastenings is not designed for this type of load.

The further you lift above the center of gravity the easier it is to control the mast.
 
Niander said:
They simply use the main halyard at out yacht club
the rope is made fast to the mast then other end comes from the top of the mast...mast can't fall over ...simple
do you understand what i mean?
Click to expand...
I was going to suggest the same. However we don't know any details about his boat or mast. It may turn out to be 1/3rd of a ton
I wish people would fill out some details on their profiles. The Mind Police aren't going to come and take you over.
 
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