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stepping unstepping mast, solo

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cayugaboater
1st Mate

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50 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/01/2009 : 20:09:35

I know this has probably been asked a thousand times, but i have to ask: Possible to step/unstep the mast by yourself? I have looked at the youtube videos showing some fairly elaborate devices, and seen the one where one guy does it himself with a pole. I probably haven't enough talent to build a really elaborate A frame device, but the pole with a fork on top looked almost doable, but how do you keep it from going sideways?

Any advice, direction appreciated, and apologies for asking whats likely a dumb, or at least, old question. Thanks.

89 wingkeel;std rig.
Sail #5811

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 09/01/2009 : 20:32:20

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by cayugaboater
 ... but how do you keep it from going sideways?

Any advice, direction appreciated, and apologies for asking whats likely a dumb, or at least, old question. Thanks.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by cayugaboater
 build a really elaborate A frame device,<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
The a-frame is what keeps the lateral movement to a minimum. They're really not that elaborate. Taking down or putting up the mast is easy with the right tools and techniques but can be very dangerous. That's a lot of weight when it starts moving.

Search on a-frame, you'll find a lot of ideas.

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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3285 Posts

Response Posted - 09/01/2009 : 21:48:43

I would not do it. Little things can go wrong when it's 1/2 way down. It gets really heavy then even with the A frame. I think 2 people minimum (one big and strong) and I need 3. One grinding, 2 on the mast.

Almost always I come with 1 other person and just grab someone on the dock. You only need them for 5 minutes.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2009 : 12:58:23

To tell you the truth I basically raise and lower our mast myself. I use a gin-pole setup with a trailer winch attached to it. With the right setup and equipment I have found that no muscling is involved for us. I stand in front of the mast and winch. If done correctly there is no need for strength, it is about leverage. Should some of my equipment break, unlikely, I don't want anyone trying to stop the mast from falling. Let it go. The boat can be repaired. No one else is on deck but me while the mast goes up or down. Once it is up the Admiral steps onboard and pins the forestay.

Bottom line - your mast raising/lowering equipment must be well built and maintained. If you adhoc it you are asking for trouble.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 09/02/2009 12:59:29

JimB517
Past Commodore

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3285 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2009 : 13:15:01

The gin pole, trailer winch works much better than my A frame. I've tried both. There is nothing keeping the mast from twisting to the the side when raising with the A frame, hence my recomendation for 1 or 2 people on the mast.

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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3444 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2009 : 15:20:51

The 250 has "baby shrouds" that attach about a third of the way up the mast that help prevent the twisting.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2009 : 18:29:32

Correct, I should have mentioned that I have a 250. I thought the A-frame was the equivalent of the baby shrouds and stopped mast twist but apparently not.

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Tom Gauntt
Navigator

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204 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2009 : 05:08:32

cayuga,

I have a C25 Tall Rig with the longer and heavier mast. I use an A-frame to raise and lower the mast by myself. There are some great suggestions in the "tech tips" section. If you have a drill and a hacksaw (or better yet, a jigsaw), an A-frame is easy to make from 1" steel electrical conduit (be sure to get the thick-wall 'rigid' conduit, not the thin walled 'EMT').

I basically run a spare line from the jib winch to a snatch block on the stem fitting. I connect the end of the line to the apex of the A-frame and connect the A-frame to the forestay. I also use a halyard as a safety line. The A-frame connects to the forward lower chain plates. Loosen the upper shrouds and aft lower shrouds and gently belay the mast down with the jib winch. The A-frame and the upper and lower aft shrouds keep the mast from swinging. A simple mast crutch is also a great advantage. I wrote a little bit about it on "Lil's" blog. Check out 'dropping the mast' in the blog section of littleboatlil.com. Hope this helps!

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Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2009 : 17:14:36

Here is a video that demonstrates how simple it is to lower and raise a mast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r33VCObNroY

Enjoy

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