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Mast Raising (and What's this?)

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knightwind
Navigator

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Canada
114 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/03/2008 : 18:11:55

So the wife and I managed to raise the mast today.
We had no help...but sure could have used it.
I walked the mast back while she guide the end into the step bracket...fonud the center of balance to be really really close. i.e. the mast wanted to tilt into the water. then once of my side shrouds fell in the water...sigh (I can hear you laughing)...After trying various things the wife drove away to look for a pole...2 minutes later I discovered the whisker pole extends way out! So I finish hooking up the shrouds...wait for the wife...1/2hour...still not back...So I take out my dead batteries...wait some more...and finally she returns with a pole too short and a less than normally pleasant expression. An Expression which became even less pleasant when I told her I hooked the shroud % minutes after she left...but I digress.
See my A-frame ladder rig in the pictures...I had to stand on the forward side of the ladder and lift the mast while the wife pulled on a rope tie to the forestay. Tried it once...called for help...but nobody was home...so we just took a deep breath a did it! The trick was stepping from the ladder to the upper deck...which I feel was a bit of a major safety risk...I feel lucky and ashamed...and hope others learn from my mistakes...;o) I'll get a third guy next time.
By the way did I mention it was raining during all of this? ;o)
Here's some pictures:

Then my lack of experience or help started working against me. I wasn't really sure what side of the spreader to run the jib halyard on. So of course I ran it to the back which as I drove past a sailboat leaving discover was probably the wrong side. Does it matter? and anybody know any tricks to getting it to the forward side? Here's a pic I don't know if you can see it clearly.

And then I had this extra "backstay line thingy" with a block and tackle at the end. What is this? (Upon further reflection I think it mast be to hold the boom up...but where does it attach/

The rope attaches at the top aft of the mast.

Here it is tied to the boom.

Then we found most of the windows leaking. Yahoo!
Here's a picture from below in the aft berth of two bolts in the starboard seat hatch area that are leaking. Any ideas for this?

One other problem I had was the marine toilet had emptied onto the floor and anything poured in came out the bottom of a 2 inchish plastic pipe/outlet at the bottom right. Anybody know what's wrong wy my toilet?
Then the wife found we had a popup cover. Cool! Here it is.

I'm tired.

Peter Keddie
Turkey Point, ON
79 Catalina 25 Fixed Keel #1050

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2008 : 18:31:45

the extra rope and block is the topping lift, yes, it holds up the aft end of the boom. I can't tell from the photo where it attaches but the far aft end of the boom, there must be some blocks and a cleat to tie off to somewhere (this is something that is different on many of our boats).

your ladder worked well and that step to the cabin top is the worst for all of us. The real A Frame hooks to the forward lower shroud posts and you use it to raise the mast using a winch.

the jib halyard, of course, the end with the clip for raising the sail needs to be on the bow side and the end for pulling should be coming down the aft side of the mast. There should be nothing touching the spreaders or shrouds. I would raise your willing wife halfway up the mast using the main halyard and a bosuns chair and let her untangle the line, else, the mast probably has to come down again.

Deck leaks are common on C-25s. The right thing to do is to remove the parts, clean everything back to clear gelcoat, and rebed using white polysulfide caulk (like BoatLife). Don't use 5200 or 4200. Since you probably want to get sailing, I would just liberally apply silicon sealant around the fittings and deal with the leaks next offseason.

I have a porti-pottie so can't help you with the marine head.

Your boat looks clean, you'll be sailing soon. Try to find a local sailor to give you a hand with a few things.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2008 : 18:33:29

So, you just muscled it up in the rain. Good on ya! I wouldn't climb that ladder on a bet but then I'm basically a chicken. That's not exactly the a-frame device that was discussed here.

You're right that "extra backstay line thingy" is to hold the boom up while the sail is down. It's called a topping lift.

I'm not clear how the jib halyard is wrong but, I think you might be able to thread it to the forward side of the spreaders using your whisker pole. It's worth a shot.

She looks lovely sitting there. Did anyone ever mention a spring line? That's a line you might want to run from a cleat near the front of the boat aft to a cleat on the dock to hold the bow of the boat away from the dock in the event wind or wave action should want to push it forward into the dock.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2008 : 19:47:39

I can't get oriented on the leaky bolt photo. Does the head outlet connect to a holding tank? It should have a line from the back of the pump to the holding tank and a smaller intake line connected to a thru hull. If you check online, you can probably find a manual.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2008 : 23:28:53

I always hate to disagree with Jim B., but nix on the silcone... Use some polysulfide (BoatLife) "liberally"--it will come off later, and silicone will make a mess you can never remove completely.

That transition from the cockpit (or ladder in your case) to the cabintop is the main reason I suggested another person or two. I'm glad you survived and the stick is actually up! Good work!!

Edited by - on

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2008 : 06:21:47

Congratulations on raising the mast. Leaks are frustrating, just when you think you've found them all, water comes in somewhere else. Those bolts look like bolts for the hinges on the seat-top lids in the cockpit. You will most likely need to remove them and use sealant to bed the hinges, like any other fitting on deck. But, you might try just tightening them first. Good Luck.

Edited by - on

quilombo
Captain

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USA
301 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2008 : 08:57:46

you guys are outrageous,,lol,,, good job, I know the feeling

Edited by - on

knightwind
Navigator

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Canada
114 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2008 : 09:19:52

Hey a Sunny day! Winds ~15 knots...bit more than I would like to start in. Maybe I'll just try the main with no foresail and see how it goes.
The leaky toilet turned out to be a missing cap. I noticed it laying beside the head in the picture I originally took when I was buying her...but not in any other pictures ;o)
Talked to the wife this morning and she remembers finding and chucking it the garbage...which we'll likely be going through.
None of the little leaks and problems are really bothering us though.
Part of the fun is the hobby of repairs and improvements.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2008 : 11:12:09

I don't know, I've had no trouble peeling off clear silicon. But either way, the BoatLife caulk remains soft and you can get it off. Don't use 3M 5200 or 4200 for a temporary fix.

Edited by - on

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