Using a tree to help unstep a mast???

[Jaguar 25]

I need to unstep the mast on my Leisure 18 over the winter storage period. It is on its trailer.
There is a tree not far in front of the bow. I am thinking that a rope from the mast and then around the tree could help supporting/lowering the mast instead of constructing an A frame arrangement (or just struggling without one!).
Has anyone any experience or thoughts on this?

 

[Dipper]

Sounds a good idea. Rig a block into the tree (dead ahead if you can) and use that with a rope through it. With your sized mast, a rope round a branch would do but there will be more friction when you want to raise it again. I assume your mast has a tabernacle or pivoting bolt to hold the foot. Keep the cap shrouds and backstay on until it is down.

I used to raise and lower the mast on my previous boat (a Hurley 22) using a rope through the bow roller (attached to the forestay) and my mainsheet block and tackle to give me leverage. Without an A frame, the mast does reach a point of no return when lowering and falls the last bit. Your tree will help with that.

Edit - since your boat is on a trailer, is it possible to put it under the tree and just lift the mast vertically with a strop round the spreaders then lower it under control?

 

[lw395]

Obviously depends on the SWL and size of the tree.

You don't want to end up like this chap:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/20...young-ceo-middle-night-pitching-tent-hammock/

 

[Lon nan Gruagach]

iI you dont tie off high enough then you will just tow the trailer into the tree.

 

[TQA]

If your mast is hinged at the bottom, just allow it to tilt back and walk it to the stern. I used this method on a Jaguar 22. I had a wooden X to hold the mast up in the cockpit but a pillow on the cabin roof worked as well.

 

[ProDave]

We did a Leisure 17 mast yesterday. I imagine yours is similar?

We lowered it down from standing on the clubhouse balcony so similar arrangement to a pulley in a tree. Assuming the mast is on a hinged foot like the L17 I can't see a problem.

We had 3 people, one to lower the rope from the balcony, once to guide the mast down and catch it in the crutch, and once to hold the genoa furling gear on the forestay so it didn't get damaged.

 

[Jaguar 25]

Edit - since your boat is on a trailer, is it possible to put it under the tree and just lift the mast vertically with a strop round the spreaders then lower it under control?[/QUOTE]

Not possible as there are boats within a foot either side (their bows to my bow possible because Leisure 18s are towed backwards).

 

[Jaguar 25]

iI you dont tie off high enough then you will just tow the trailer into the tree.

Good thought, need to fully chock the wheels to avaoid that.

 

[Jaguar 25]

If your mast is hinged at the bottom, just allow it to tilt back and walk it to the stern. I used this method on a Jaguar 22. I had a wooden X to hold the mast up in the cockpit but a pillow on the cabin roof worked as well.

I have done my previous Jag 25 like that but with about 4 other people helping. When my brother and I stepped the Leisure 18 mast last year, it took quite a force to get it up from the highest position that my brother could get it to by hand. On a Pedro 17 it was relatively easy when two of us stepped its mast.

 

[LittleSister]

General points.

Assuming you have a tabernacle or other mast base which retains the mast foot in place for and aft, while allowing it to tilt fully backwards -

1. It is very easy (on a boat that size) to lift or lower the mast to/from about 35 degrees above the horizontal.
2. It is also easy to move it to/from between the vertical and 15 or so degrees from the vertical.
3. It is the bit in between that can be challenging.
4. On a 18 foot boat like the Leisure the forces required for a lift and controlled drop are modest: you are unlikely to need to apply any more force than that which can be achieved by hand, and if that should be required it can be done using the mainsheet tackle in a suitable arrangement.
5. The critical thing is not to allow the mast to sway to one side or another of the centreline of the boat. If you do not have sufficient people to hand to ensure this can't happen, you will need some arrangement of ropes to do so.
6. Make sure that you have something in place which can take the effective weight of the mast (+ a bit in case it's dropped the last few inches our someone leans on it) without damage. A lightweight companionway hatch (such as I imagine one might find on a boat like that) may well not be happy supporting the weight applying in that location (note that because it is so close to the mast foot it will be carrying more than the weight of the mast itself, and also effectively trying to lift the mast base out of the boat) Ideally some sort of wooden crutch or cross-pieces would be rigged up as far aft as possible, so that the mast foot is carrying part of the mast weight, and the crutch just the remainder.

 

[William_H]

Do make up a crutch of some sort fitted near the transom to support the mast. Make this as high as practical commensurate with you being able to stand near the stern and lift the mast. So once the mast is in the crutch you can disconnect the foot and with 2 people one taking the mast base forward while the other lifts and helps the mast slide through the crutch. Finally lift it out of the crutch to a lower support for storage and or work on the mast top. I use apole with a hook /crutch on one side for low level and a pole inserted in the lower with a crutch shape on top for the higher level.
100_6759scaled.jpg (83.8 KB)
All this on a much bigger mast than yours. A lot of preparation makes it all very safe and easy. regardless of proximity of tree I would suggest you set up properly with gin poles 2 is best and tackle on the forestay or halyard. As said watch and manage sideways swing of the mast. If it swings far it will wreck the hinge base. ol'will

 

[Alan S]

No problem as long as you plan carefully especially as to how to prevent sideways movement.
I do it single handed on a 26 footer (samphire 26) using an a-frame but a tree would do if it's in line and strong enough. I use mainsheet tackle on stem fitting and side control lines from the mast to winches via jib sheet faileads.