[Rhodes22-list] Rob's Mast Raising Method

Rob Lowe rlowe at vt.edu
Tue Jun 6 18:48:59 EDT 2006


Tom,
My mast raising system is similar to Rummy's, only I use the winch on the
trailer to lift the mast.  3 people work best, although I've done it with
only 2.  don't recommend it, use three.  In short:

Attach all rear/back stays.  In fact, I leave mine always attach and just
release the front stay and the inner fronts.

I've tied a loop in my main halyard in the "loose end" so that the loop is
within reaching distance of the boat deck.  Don't tie it up too high or you
can't reach it :).  The other end of the halyard is fastened to the mast via
the shackle.

I unhook the trailer winch from the boat (obviously, the boat is still on
the trailer) and unwind it, run it over the bow and hook it to the loop in
the halyard.

one person holds the mast up at the very aft end of the boat while sliding
the mast aft enough so that the mast lines up with the base plate and I put
the bolt through the mast base plate and the mast itself and tighten it
enough to hold it.  The pop top slider must be closed.  you have to have
someone hold the mast up to attach it to the base.  this is where the mast
crutch comes in handy since it holds the mast up high enough and also is aft
enough so that the mast doesn't fall back off the stern rail.

Now I go back to the cockpit to assist with the lift.  My wife (who has
winch duty) starts cranking on the winch (make sure the safety on the winch
is secure so that it can't release if the winch handle is let go of!).  The
two people on the boat (one on either side) just make sure the mast doesn't
slide off to one side as the mast is raised.  We find that once the mast
starts lifting up, it goes up pretty quick.  We walk forward as the mast
goes up and have to step up on the deck to follow the mast.  The back stays
and the rear inner stays keep the mast from toppling forward.  We carefully
crank on the winch so that we can attach the bow stay and the front inner
stays, then back off on the winch and reach up and unhook it from the
halyard.

This is not near as elegant as using the GB system and it sounds like
Rummy's system is similar, just reversed.  My rig doesn't not have the
traveler bar to use as a trapeze.  I also remove the boom before raising or
lowering, and yes, you have to remove the pop top gooseneck before lowering.
Remember to attach after raising.

But the bottom line is be careful and make sure all the stays are not
tangled and such.  Let the winch do the work.  The only time we've had real
problems is lowering the mast as our winch doesn't have a safety to stop in
reverse and somehow it got away from my wife.  Luckily so one was hurt as
the mast fell the last couple of feet and popped the mast base out.  I
relate this not to scare you in anyway, just watch what you are doing and be
careful.  Then crack open the six pack and go sailing!

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Tatflies at cs.com>
To: <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2006 11:02 AM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Rob's Mast Rainsing Method


> Thanks Rob..
>
> I am interested in reading your detailed method if you can find it.
>
> Tom
> __________________________________________________
> Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list



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