[Rhodes22-list] IMF Lowering Instructions
Bill Effros
bill at effros.com
Fri Jun 10 11:41:15 EDT 2005
Ed,
Luckily, I have a round tuit sitting on my desk.
We discussed developing and posting instructions for mast raising and
lowering a while ago. Slim developed his outline, and we all said we
would contribute to fleshing it out for people doing it the first time.
Following is my contribution to the mast lowering instructions. It was
written in Word. Does Michael's system allow for passing on Word documents?
In my original, the items discussed are in bold face, so if you have
done the steps many times before, you only have to catch the bold face
to know what to do next. I also use colors, and larger type when I want
to make sure I will see an instruction. Some of this formatting will
come out "funny" (preceding questions marks, etc.) when converted.
As I have noted in the past, it takes 20 minutes to raise or lower the
mast if you know how to do it. The trick is to arrange the instructions
so that you start at the stern, and work your way to the bow, walking
back and forth and up and down as few times as possible. Also that you
don't perform steps that must later be unperformed because you forgot
something else.
As has been said many times, this is the best mast raising system I have
ever seen. It is brilliantly engineered and I am not using that term
lightly. Stan is a brilliant engineer and we all are privileged that he
has used his talent to create and build one of the finest toys on the
planet for our personal enjoyment. When nothing goes wrong, it is easy
enough to raise a mast with a couple of people, or one person, some 2x4s
and a winch. But if even the smallest thing goes wrong using those
systems, you face literally catastrophic failure. I don't think people
should play with their lives. Stan's system, used according to the
following instructions will safely lower a mast, single handed, every time.
The following instructions are personalized for my own use. They are
not the definitive word, in fact I still have notes attached to some
items that I have questions about. The process is deadly dull to read,
when you don't need the instructions. I make notes to myself as I run
through the checklist while I am raising and lowering, and change things
accordingly.
Having just raised my mast, I know what is wrong with my current list,
and will revise it when it is raining. Then I will post. I welcome
revisions and additions from others. As soon as you try the list you
will see better ways to do some things. PLEASE, PLEASE NOTE--YOU CANNOT
RUN THE MAST LOWERING LIST BACKWARDS FOR MAST RAISING!!!
Bill Effros
Mast Lowering
? Install Mast Support On Transom
1. Release Back Stay Tension Adjuster From Its Transom Cleat.
2. Mount the transom carrier on the center of the stern.
3. Fasten the two lines on the transom carrier to the two aft docking
cleats.
? Install Hoist, Connecting Loop To Bow Docking Cleat
3. Mount the crane, winch facing forward, onto its mounting block on
the center forward cabin top, using the two bolts stored in the base of
the hoist.
4. Extend the winch line 2 feet and secure to the bow deck docking cleat.
5. The drum part of the winch will be lying on top of the cleat.
? Remove Boom Block And Traveler Bar--Free Turnbuckles
6. Release the back stay
7. Pull the pins that hold the traveler bar to the back stays.
8. Remove the bar from its back stay sockets.
9. Store the bar, with its boom block, fiddler block, traveler car and
main sheet assembly, on one of the shelves along the "V" berth.
10. Cut Off Turnbuckle Tape - Sheer and Remove Twist Ties by Turning
Turnbuckle
? Disconnect Pop-top from slider on mast, move it up the mast
11. Pull the pin that connects the pop top to the mast pop top slider.
12. Slide the mast pop top slider to its upper mast position.
13. Disconnect any electrical mast/deck connections.
14. Furl main sail fully.
? Raise boom to mast, cleat off
15. Pull the pin that holds the boom block to the bent rotating tang on
the end of the boom.
16. Pull the topping lift tight so the boom raises up against the mast.
? Snug up hoist
17. Secure the topping lift line to the higher cleat on the side of the
mast.
18. Remove the rest of this line from its cabin top locking cleat.
? Insert Aluminum Extenders Into Lower Forward Stays, Connect To Chain
Plates
19. Connect an aluminum extender between each forward lower shroud
turnbuckle and its chain plate.
20. Make use of the referenced dimension of the two forward lower
turnbuckles you recorded on the way up.
21. Reset the turnbuckles to this figure or slightly greater so that
there will be no over-tightening of these stays as the mast reaches the
bottom of its lowering arc. (Lowering a mast with over-tightened stays
could cause the mast step to be pulled out.)
? Connect Aft Lower Back Stays To The Mast Hoist
22. Connect the two aft lower shrouds to the two brackets near the top
aft side of the crane.
23. Make Sure Mast Can't Fall Forward!!! Back Stays Remain Attached!!!
? Set Up Jib for Disconnect
24. Strap jib at its grommet so it cannot unfurl.
25. Undo the jib sheets and jib furling line from their cleats and leads.
26. Coil the jib furling line and jib sheet and strap them to the
furled jib.
? Disconnect Genoa From Chain Plate, Guide Toward Mast
27. Take all line off Jib Spool and Strap to Jib
28. Pull the pin that connects the jib stay from its bow chain plate.
29. Lift and walk the furled jib to the mast so that its upper end goes
behind an upper shroud.
30. Secure the jib by placing a fast pin through the "U" bracket on the
front mast bottom and the hole in the bottom disc of the jib--This Step
Isn't Working - Review Problem--Bring in From Bottom?
* Wrap excess topping lift line around mast, boom and Genoa--Not
Needed? Strap?
31. You now have the mast, boom and furling tube bundled and the mast
still standing.
32. Use the excess topping lift line or a shock cord or tape, at a
height as high as you can reach, to secure the mast, boom and furling
tube into one bundle. - Strap?
33. Back off each turnbuckle to the position noted when you put up the
mast--Tighten to Center
? Close the sliding hatch
34. Make certain that the sliding hatch is back in its closed position
and that the pop top slider has been left in its up position on the mast.
* Lower mast, don't let lower forward stays/chain get too tight
35. Slowly crank down the mast into the transom carrier.
36. The load will get heavier as you go further down.
37. Make sure nothing snags.
38. Continue until the mast is resting in the transom carrier.
* Disconnect all stays
39. Tape the back stays to the mast and loop them up for a second mast
taping.
40. Detach the winch line from the bow cleat.
41. Crank the winch line onto the winch.
? Remove hoist
42. Remove the crane.
43. Detach the aluminum extenders from the turnbuckles and chain plates.
44. Put the aluminum extenders on one of the shelves along the "V" berth.
45. Pull the pins from the remaining four turnbuckles.
* Remove bolt from mast base
46. Remove the bolt from the mast step.
* Move mast and Genoa forward over the bow pulpit
47. Slide the mast bundle forward in the transom carrier to the bow pulpit.
48. If you encounter any resistance, check for stays hung up on hardware.
49. Clip the mast to the fitting on the bow pulpit.
* The following is for Trailering
50. Cushion key areas (use scrap carpet or foam) before securing the
mast bundle to the boat:
Under the contact areas of the pop top and deck.
At the end of the boom where it touches mast and spreader.
Under spreader if tied to the cabin hand rail
Under the mast bundle where it makes contact with the pop top.
51. Run all the stays aft along the top of the mast bundle, taping them
to the bundle at intervals, until you reach mid cockpit. There they can
all be coiled, shoved into a sail bag and hung from the mast.
Caution: Hanging anything beyond the confines of the boat proper,
risks loss, since if parts come loose, they will fall to the ground
instead of into the cockpit. Use the sail bag.
52. Play it safe and secure the mast bundle to the boat at four
points instead of just two:
Bow pulpit,
Bow deck cleat,
Lines from the hand rails to around the bundle and to the mast step
Stern Rail
53. Tie both spreader ends to the handrails so there is no contact.
54. Check all places where rubbing may occur and tape on cushioning:
Sail cloth against a tang,
Boom against a spreader,
The bundle against the sliding hatch.
55. Avoid loose ends beating against the gel coat.
56. You may elect to use fast pins on all connections so you can strip
the mast of all stays and spreaders to cut down packing time.
57. Drape a sail bag over the bow pulpit and have the helper apply
a slight aft pressure to the mast bundle while you unpin the two aft
lower shrouds. These are the only turnbuckles you may find it
necessary to lengthen to relieve the pressure on their pins.
58. Stow fenders, life jackets, lines etc. in the lazaret.
59. Do not leave any loose, hard items in the cockpit.
60. Check the cabin to see that nothing is left loose to bounce around
and cause damage, including the rope locker, table, etc.
61. The motor and rudder can be left in place but it is advisable to
secure them for any extended boat moving.
62. Put a line around the motor from the stern eye to the stern rail,
so that if the motor lift line comes loose, the motor will still be
supported.
63. Put a line through the loop of the rudder lifting line to the stern
rail, so that pressure is taken off the rudder control line cleat. This
line will also prevent the rudder from swinging.
64. Push the ladder into its locking position.
65. Check winch strap, trailer lights, hitch lock and chains.
66. You're ready to roll.
67. If you are moving the boat an appreciable distance, you should
cushion key areas before securing the mast bundle to the boat:
Under the contact areas of the pop top and deck
At the end of the boom where it touches mast and spreader.
Under the mast at the bow pulpit and stern rail contacts.
Under spreader if tied to the cabin hand rail
Under the mast bundle where it makes contact with the pop top.
(Scrap carpet or foam is fine.)
ed kroposki wrote:
>Will,
> If you are still around, can you add Slim's checklist to the Web
>Site? In addition, when Bill Effros gets a round 'tuit' post his there as
>well. Can everyone send Bill a 'round tuit'.
> I get the impression that Michael has gone into that famous South
>Georgia swamp and is up to his ass in alligators.
> Bill, attached is a picture of a 'round tuit'.
>
>Ed K
>-----Original Message-----
>From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
>[mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Slim
>Sent: Friday, June 10, 2005 4:12 AM
>To: Rhodes
>Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Raising The Mast
>
>RAISING THE MAST WITH THE GB BOW CRANE:
>
>WARNING: Never let anyone stand under the mast during the hoisting
>
>1. Inspect masthead, attach radio antennae and check shroud and stay
>connections to mast
>2. With the mast resting on the mast crutch roller, walk the mast, boom and
>jib aft and connect the mast to the tabernacle
>3. Connect hoist crane to cabin top block
>4. Tie the crane winch line to the bow cleat
>5. Connect aft lower shrouds to top of crane
>5a. Alternate: Attach line from crane to mast bail and connect aft lowers
>to their chain plates
>6. Connect back stays to their chain plates, making sure back stays are in
>front of stern rail.
>7. Connect upper shrouds to their chain plates
>8. Put the 8² extensions on the forward lower shrouds and connect to their
>chain plates
>9. Begin raising the mast, continually checking for any shrouds or stays
>getting snagged or kinked, making sure the turnbuckles aren¹t fowled and
>tending the jib as it comes forward
>10. Raise the mast all the way up, keeping tension on the winch until you
>connect the bow stay to its chain plate
>11. Disconnect the hoist crane and attach aft lower shrouds to their chain
>plates
>12. Remove forward lower shroud extensions and connect shrouds to their
>chain plates
>13. Adjust shroud turnbuckles as needed
>14. Connect traveler bar between back stays
>15. Lower the boom and connect it to the traveler
>16. Tighten the back stay tensioning line
>17. Remove mast crutch
>18. Connect rudder asembly to the transom
>19. Connect pop top to mast slider
>20. Connect radio and steaming light
>
>__________________________________________________
>Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>
>
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>Url: http://www.rhodes22.org/pipermail/rhodes22-list/attch/200506/10/oldroundtuit.jpg
>
>
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>
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