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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Dropping the mast

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SJ
Navigator

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USA
198 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/29/2005 : 15:39:05

I know its been here thousands of times. I'm dropping the mast on KELPATIAN for the first time this weekend. A bit nervous to say the least. I've looked at all the methods etc, but wanted to know what the general concenous is about direction. Mast goes down aft or forward???? Seem to me it would be best to drop it down aft. Any thoughts????

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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 11/29/2005 : 16:05:45

I believe you'll find that the majority of us drop toward the stern.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 11/29/2005 : 16:08:25

I think you'll find dropping the mast aft will be the consensus because it provides more room to work.

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 11/29/2005 : 17:02:03

I drop my C-25 standard rig mast toward the bow, using the main halyard as a heavy duty topping lift, and the mainsheet tackle to control the speed. This method requires two additional light lines from the upper shroud chainplates to the aft end of the boom to keep the boom from flopping to one side.

A variation on that method can be used to lower aft using a spinnaker pole instead of the boom, the jib halyard instead the the main halyard, and either moving the mainsheet tackle to the bow or substituting some other multi-part tackle there for mechanical advantage.

Having said all that, I think lowering either fore or aft is about equally (in)convenient. I'd go whichever way best fits the situation your boat is located in (expensive or dangerous things in the way, or other obstructions, ease of catching the masthead, etc.).

-- Leon Sisson

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 11/29/2005 : 19:24:37

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Leon Sisson
 ...Having said all that, I think lowering either fore or aft is about equally (in)convenient...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Although I've never lowered my masts forward, I would have to think it would be easier to lower it aft due to the larger cockpit and with the mast base 10' from the bow and 15' from the stern, lowering it aft allows the catcher to be positioned closer to the center of the mast.

Additionally, Scott has roller furling.

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SJ
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USA
198 Posts

Response Posted - 11/30/2005 : 14:15:29

Thanks for the input guys....OK, Don, I give, how did you know I have a roller furling????

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 11/30/2005 : 19:48:56

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by SJ
 ...OK, Don, I give, how did you know I have a roller furling????
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
[url="http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=7233"]Easy[/url]

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lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 12/01/2005 : 08:08:16

There's one serious disadvantage to dropping the mast forward: Because the distance from the mast step to the bow pulpit is only 10 feet, the balance point of the mast will be 5 feet forward of whatever you are supporting it on when it's fully lowered. Now imagine what happens when you pull the pivot pin out of the tabernackle? Right- the mast base wants to fly up and whack you in the head, while the mast head wants to fall onto the roof of your tow vehicle and make a nice deep dent in it. Much better to drop aft, although on a tall rig, even dropping aft will result in the C.G. of the mast falling outside of the mast crutch by about 12 to 16 inches.

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