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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Mast Raising - Need Help!

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BAJAMAN
Deckhand

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USA
19 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/04/2007 : 15:13:35

Just purchased a 1990 Catalina 22 winged keel. After selling my E20 I felt, as most sailors do after selling their beloved, a little blue and alone . So, I needed another trailer sailor to make me feel whole again and went with this boat. It came well equiped and has a CDI flexible furling system. I have never owned a boat with a furing system but have sailed with them and they appear to be a nice feature to have. I am having a little difflculty raising my mast. I posted this here on this site thinking my set up is similar to those with 250's and 25's.

I attempted to raise (following the method used by many C22 owners) the mast by 1. raising the transom mounted rear telescoping mast holder, 2. sliding mast aft, 3. attaching mast base to mast step, and then 4. walking mast forward by stradling mast on cabin top, facing aft, and walking backward. NO GO - too heavy with furling system. Apparently it is done this way without the FS.

So, I need a mast raising system that is safe, can be raised single handed, and can be done with the flexible CDI furling system attached. I'd hate to have to remove furling system and go with a simple forestay that is lighter. The boat came with a 7' aluminum "A" frame (1" square aluminum tubing) but it doesn't have any hardware at apex and I can't figure out how original owner used it. It does have attachment points at two bases that clamp to stanchion bases, but it's the apex of the frame that I can't figure out. Also, what holds the A frame in place when raising? What attaches to what?

I used a simple gin pole (only mast raising experience I have) with my E20 and it worked quite well. I did have to have 2 people (one to raise and one to stabilize mast/gin pole).

Pics would help if you have any

C22 owners (or similar) with flexible furling systems - what do you use? Thanks for the assistance! Carlos

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 11/04/2007 : 17:04:21

In the Technical tips link to the left, is the system I used.
http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/tech/tech25/bearsad1.asp

The A frame is connected at the Apex with 2" (or similar)bolts with wing nuts. This is where you attach your forestay (or the base of your furler/ anti-rotation strap) and the line that raises the mast. I use a 100' line that I use for stern tying at anchorage - however, you can use a halyard or sheet. My A frame is quite loose at the Apex because I use 2" hex bolts -so that there is room to tie-off two lines - it is only a little loose until there is tension put on the line, then the whole things stiffens up. The 2" bolt gives me lots of room to tie a good knot and to attach a safety line.
What I like about the A-frame, is that it gives you time to keep all the lines tangle free. As you probably already know, the most important aspect of raising a light mast like ours, is to keep lines and shrouds neat and in their place. I run my A-Frame line via a 4" pulley attached to my bow roller, then back over the deck and cabin top to my cabin top line clutch, through to a winch. Having the line run through a line clutch allows you lots of time to stop at any part of the process and ensure that the lines and shrouds etc are all where they are supposed to be. This will give you time to make sure your furler is not getting kinked. This system can be used single handed.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 11/04/2007 : 17:05:23

Yes our boats are rigged the same and and we are delighted that you are here on the forum. You will meet a lot of great people with a lot of experience. The a frame method is used by a lot of people.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 11/04/2007 : 17:57:17

I offer this as a 30-year C-22 sailor who is also now 1-year C-25 skipper. The C-22 is a great trailer-sailer. Here's a method that will allow you to raise the mast by yourself, if necessary, without the bother of the A-frame. After completing your steps 1,2, and 3 above (which is what we do) take a thin line, say 1/4" about 1-2 feet long and run it through both forward lower turnbuckles and make a loop about 6" - 1' long. Pull out about 8-10 feet of your trailer winch strap, up over your mast holder or bow pulpit and attach it to the loop. If you use the bow pulpit, you'll need some kind of roller or stops attached to the pulpit to keep the strap centered. Start cranking slowly, being careful to keep the strap centered. It may not bring the mast all the way up, but it will bring it far enough that you can easily walk it the rest of the way. I use a homemade mast holder made from 2x4's that is grooved to straddle the bow pulpit and secure it to the pulpit with bungees. I run the winch strap across that where the mast was, and it works. The good part is that the forward lowers will hold the mast while you attach the forestay/furler, and if you have to stop raising to clear shrouds, etc. the winch will hold it securely wherever you need to stop. If you are on sloping ground, you may want the a-frame to maintain alignment as the mast is raised.

Edited by - dmpilc on 11/04/2007 18:02:08

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 11/04/2007 : 20:23:20

Another item:
I've also seen trailers equipped with a second winch, elevated above the regular trailer winch, and above the bow pulpit, for the express purpose of raising/lowering the mast. It would be an ordeal to retrofit my trailer with one due to the shape of the winch stand, but maybe your's could be done.

Edited by - on

tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2007 : 01:18:19

I also use the A frame and a CDI furler. I have found it advantageous to tie the furler loosly below the apex of the A frame before I crank up the mast. It keeps it in control and actually alters the balance point.

Since my web page has an "at" sign it may will not work as a link directly from this post. You can copy paste this and correct the symbol before you hit enter.

http://www.geocities.com/tm-hansen"atsign"sbcglobal.net/Mastup.html

Used to information from this forum to construct. Incidentally you can use the search feature of this forum to look for past posts on common topics like this.

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2007 : 12:40:43

Nice website Todd.
I have the same A-frame. I've found that using a 4" pulley at the bow makes the load a little easier to manage.

Thank you for going to the trouble of posting those pictures.

Edited by - on

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