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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Installing New Mast

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Bruce Baker
Captain

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USA
402 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/21/2002 : 14:25:55

Back in August, I broke my mast. Evidently the high priced boat yard I hired to set up my rig forgot to bend the cotter pins over, and the pin in my starboard shroud fell out.

I'm trying to get a rigger out to DC from Annapolis to set up the new mast from Catalina, but they've been putting me off for two weeks, and I want to go sailing!

What do you all think about the advisability of having this professionally done versus doing it myself? There are obvious dangers in installing a mast improperly. But with 20/20 hindsight, can I possibly do a worse job than my so-called professionals?

Have any of you done this job?

Bruce Baker
"Yee Ha"
Alexandria, VA

Edited by - on

osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 10/21/2002 : 14:47:35

Bruce,

When I launch in the spring I have the marina operator step the mast and then I tune it. I do this because I don't the hassle of getting the cotter pin for the forestay. It has a roller furler on it and has been set for the tension I desire.

If I had a new mast, I would rig it myself. In my minds eye the hardes aspect of that would be running halyards and electrical wire down the inside of the mast. I expect others woill give input on the best procedures to follow for this.

Get it done and go sailing

From one on the hard

Don Peet
c25, 1665, osmepneo, sr/wk

Edited by - on

Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 10/21/2002 : 16:14:13

Having stepped the mast on "Even Chance" several times, and having completely rewired it last Spring, I would never pay big bucks to a boatyard to do that for me. If it were a big, heavy, keel-stepped mast, that would be entirely different.

Check the Tech Tips for advice on how to rig the mast for raising/lowering.

Brooke

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luckystar
Navigator

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USA
236 Posts

Response Posted - 10/21/2002 : 17:07:38

Brooke's right, you can easily do this yourself, but I recommend working out a bridle system like the one's in the tech tips or using a gin pole. My yacht club at my lake have a gin pole that we have used to help step masts from 23 ft boats to 41 footers! I also rewired my mast and put new lights on when I got her. Also, get or borrow a loos gauge and check out Bill Holcombs tips for rig tension and Fleet 2 (in the racing section) tips on tuning. That should get you there and save you oodles that the yard would be more than happy to take away from you. I also recommend at least three friends who can lift a decent amount, the mast can get unwieldy quick go plan it out before you do it. Good Luck!

Patrick Burnett, Little Rock, AR
S/V Lucky Star #2707 1982 SK/SR

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Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2002 : 08:17:58

If you check the Tech Tips, you'll see that you can use the boom as a gin pole and the main sheet to lift the mast. Trust me, the system really works, and I've even done it solo. It's a lot easier, on the other hand, with a good friend helping!

One of the Tech Tips shows how to run lines from the boom (as gin pole) to either side of the boat to control the side-to-side sway of the mast. I run those lines through the jib sheet blocks and back to the winches. They do require constant adjusting as the mast goes up, and a second hand is needed for that work. Think of it as flying a spinnaker and constantly playing the sheet and guy. Also, make sure those side lines are stout enough: I once tried this using smaller lines that stretched too much, and had a devil of a time keeping the mast centered.

Brooke

Edited by - on

MattL
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2002 : 14:57:14

Hi Bruce,
Last Aug. I described raising and lowering my mast. Here is a link to it, hope it helps.
Also don't let everyone scare you, the mast is just a big deal not a great big deal.

http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1660

The mast crutch I made also has a spot about 4 or 5 feet up to set the mast out of the way.<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2ce37b3127cce917bcf048f130000001410" border=0>

Matt/Brigitte Loeffler
E.C. Rider
Cat 25 86'
FK/SR _/)

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arlingva
Navigator

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USA
116 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2002 : 20:33:53

Bruce,

I'm in the area. No experience except I stepped my C 250 mast in July by myself. Admiral is out of town this weekend so if you would like help I'm available. Best place to reach me is office 703-465-4714. Assistant is Jeanette, tell her its about sailing and she will put you thru.

Bill

Bill Swanson
C250WK #614

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/23/2002 : 00:16:39

Bruce,

Are you talking about just raising the mast or transferring all of the mast hardware(masthead, spreader brackets, shrouds, antenna, wiring) to a new aluminum mast extrusion?

Don Lucier, 'North Star'
Catalina

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 10/23/2002 : 08:21:58

Most have already given you there tips, I would just check the archives and the tech tips and do it myself. I sail out of two yacht clubs and dock the Wasp in a third. I have yet to meet someone who doesn't step their mast on their own. Especially on the small boats like a 25. Keep in mind, our boat was made to be trailerable and have the owner step the mast by themselves.

dw

Duane Wolff
"The Flying Wasp"
C-25, #401 std,sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 National Assn.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d603b3127cce9f858f0ef3ef0000001010" border=0>

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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.