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 Taking down mast		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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rivituso
Deckhand

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USA
4 Posts
Initially Posted - 06/01/2007 :  15:23:10  Show Profile
I am embarking on a project to replace my standing rigging, rewire the mast lighting and replace old wire/rope halyards with all rope. Everyting is now lined up but I am faced with the dunting task of getting the mast down (and back up again). Any advice on how to do it with the least trauma? The boat is on the hard.

Thanks--Bob Rivituso
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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts
Response Posted - 06/01/2007 :  16:50:43  Show Profile
Try this thread. I think there might be others as well.

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14447& whichpage=2
Edited by - John Russell on 06/01/2007 16:51:42
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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts
Response Posted - 06/01/2007 :  20:21:02  Show Profile
Without an 'A' Frame, it takes two physically competent people (including one reasonably strong one) to do it.
Prepare your work area. You'll want to have some sort of crutch ready to hold the mast up at the aft end of the cockpit so it doesn't hang over the aft end of the cabin and put stress on the cabin top and the mast base.

1) If the rig is tuned, mark the turnbuckle threads with some rigging tape, magic marker etc. This Makes resetting easy.
2) Slack the entire rig by backing off all the turnbuckles a bit. Fully slack the adjustable backstay if you have one.
3) Loosen the turnbuckles and remove the pins on the upper stays.
4) Remove the turnbuckles and remove the the pins on the forward lower stays.
5) Attach a spare length of decent quality line to the jib halyard shackle.
6) Secure the bitter end of the jib halyard to a cleat on the mast.
7) Lead the line attached to the jib halyard around a leg of the pulpit and back to a winch.
8) Slide the hatch closed.
9) Take three wraps on the winch and tighten the line until it is taking tension off the forestay.
10) Hold tension on this line and unscrew the turnbuckle and/or remove the pin in the forestay.
11) With one person guiding he mast down, (mostly controlling side sway) the second uses the winch to brake the mast lowering
12) Gently land the mast in the crutch you've arranged for the aft end. Make sure it's not 'binding' on the cabin top.

Basically reverse the above procedure to raise the mast. Instead of slacking the winch to control descent, you crank on it to help the person muscling the mast up. Hardest part is about half way when the person walking the mast up needs to make the step up from the cockpit to the cabin top.

Use common sense. Don't do this on a rainy or windy day. Don't fall off the boat, the deck is quite a ways off the ground.

Note: I have a standard rig... I've never done a tall rig, but I think it would take more muscle... I think I'd want 2 fairly strong people on the mast and 1 competent person on the winch. Alternative is using an 'A' frame as shown in other threads.
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Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts
Response Posted - 06/01/2007 :  20:21:20  Show Profile
Having raised and lowered the mast both forwards and backwards, I highly recommend the method shown in the Tech Tips here: http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/tech/tech25/bsmast.asp . I have done it singlehanded this way, although it is good insurance to have a deck ape to help.

My suggested modification is to use your jib sheets as the "Morley's lines," run through your genoa blocks and to the primary winches.

Brooke
Edited by - Brooke Willson on 06/01/2007 20:27:39
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Trust Me
1st Mate

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USA
71 Posts
Response Posted - 06/02/2007 :  07:59:47  Show Profile
The only thing I would add is wind direction. Myself and my strong son take down and put up the tall rig mast on Trust Me each season and I have included in the drill pointing the boat into the wind (I have a trailer vs cradle) to avoid an unplanned breeze pushing the mast a way we do not want during take down or raising.
Ron
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.