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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Dropping the Mast

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/16/2011 : 19:02:38

As I;ve posted in another thread on this forum, I'm getting my furler installed next weekend. They asked me to have the mast down when they arrive Monday morning.

Just so happens that my masthead light and steaming light quit working over the winter. The mast wiring and bulbs are only a couple of years old so I'm hoping it's just some corrosion in the deck plug since both lights quit working at the same time.

While I've got the mast down I'd like to install a halyard so I can fly a burgee. Any suggestions on how to attach it to the spreader? I'd rather not drill any holes if I don't have to.

Also, if any of you have a request for pictures of the masthead or spreaders let me know and I will try to oblige.

Association Member

GaryB
Andiamo
'89 SR/WK #5862
Kemah,TX

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2011 : 20:18:18

Drilling two small holes for an eyestrap is the easiest, but you could epoxy the eyestrap and then over wrap the ends with monel safety wire. I have a micro block on the eyestrap, but you could probably just run the flag halyard through it.

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2011 : 05:40:12

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave5041
 . . . Drilling two small holes for an eyestrap is the easiest . . . I have a micro block on the eyestrap . . .
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Agreed

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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2011 : 06:02:43

I have seen a block mounted on a hoseclamp. It was ugly and looked like it had the potential to snag a genoa. I would drill the holes.

If you are nervous about not getting the holes lined up, you can put a block on your saw and cut a vee in it. Using your hand drill, drill through the bottom of the vee. Now when your mast is down, clamp the block onto the spreader so that teh vee is straddling it, and the drill will follow the pilot hole.

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JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2011 : 06:04:59

Chris, I like that trick with the wood block guiding the drill straight!

Gary, I have an eyestrap and a small block. The small holes in the spreader are not a problem.

Edited by - JohnP on 05/17/2011 06:11:51

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2011 : 19:23:27

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Prospector
 If you are nervous about not getting the holes lined up, you can put a block on your saw and cut a vee in it. Using your hand drill, drill through the bottom of the vee. Now when your mast is down, clamp the block onto the spreader so that teh vee is straddling it, and the drill will follow the pilot hole.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

This sounds like a great idea!

Any suggestions on what size eyestrap and micro block I should use?

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2011 : 20:06:26

The smallest eye strap that will take the shackle of the smallest block without binding will be plenty for a flag halyard. My halyard is 3/16" dacron.

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Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2011 : 09:57:30

I have a related question regarding this. My burgee halyard is mounted midway on the starboard spreader and ties off to a cleat attached to aft-starboard shroud. The problem I experience with this is the flapping burgee hits the closest shroud and eventually rubs a hole in the burgee. How do others avoid this issue?

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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2011 : 10:25:22

our tie-off is on the mast. All you need is a lightweight cleat.

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NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2011 : 12:07:35

My local WM doesn't carry a lot, but they did have plenty of microblocks and straps to chose from. Might want to go check them out before guessing the sizes online.

I bought all the pieces seperately and came out much cheaper than the full kit.

Edited by - NautiC25 on 05/18/2011 13:29:09

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2011 : 17:14:02

Well since my WM store is only about 400 yards from the boat I guess I'll have to mosey over there and look at micro blocks and eyestraps.

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skybird
Navigator

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USA
135 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2011 : 21:42:23

400 yards? Isn't that dangerous?! (walletwise)

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2011 : 20:55:19

Might be Monday while I have the mast down getting the furler installed. I might upgrade masthead light or install a VHF antenna or who knows.

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2011 : 19:16:13

Well as usual, my lack of luck is showing it's ugly head. I need to drop my mast this weekend and the winds are forecast to be 15 - 20 with higher gusts! Directly across the slip.

On top of that it looks like I'm going to have to do it by myself. Hoping I get a break with lighter winds early Sunday morning.

On a more positive note, I spoke to the rigger today and he confirmed I'm first up on Monday morning.

Edited by - GaryB on 05/20/2011 19:17:41

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2011 : 19:36:59

Don't do it alone. Not with that much wind. How protected is your marina? If the water is flat, and you can turn the boat tail to wind, you can still do it, but you want extra hands aboard. At least one other person to guide it down.

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 05/21/2011 : 07:50:43

My part of the marina is very protected. From dock height up to normal ground level is probably 8'-10' and I'm only 6 slips out from shore. My wife said she would help but I'm afraid if something goes wrong she might get hurt.

There are a couple of 3 store buildings directly adjacent to the waters edge in different areas of the marina. I might have to move the boat in the wind shadow of one of these buildings.

Worst case scenario is I will wait until Monday morning and get the riggers to help me lower the mast. I'm just trying to save a little money but will not do so at the risk of dropping the mast or hurting my wife.

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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/21/2011 : 11:46:56

Take your wife up on it, let her run teh lines and you guide it down. No trouble.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 05/21/2011 : 15:37:16

My wife did the hoisting line the first time we did it and she was really worried about it. Five minutes later she said "Is that it?"

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2011 : 19:41:29

Well, the mast is down thanks to help from Kent. If the rigger does what he said on Friday I should have the roller installed and mast back up before Noon tomorrow.

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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/23/2011 : 05:02:17

Great news! Hope all goes well!

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 05/23/2011 : 06:16:27

FYI, I mounted our flag halyard eye straps to the underside of the spreaders like suggested here.
However we do not have blocks on those eye straps, the flag halyard really doesn't warrant it. Just thread the halyard through the eye strap.

Of course, we only fly flags when the mast is up

Paul

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 05/23/2011 : 14:36:09

Well I didn't get a chance to install the eyes and blocks while the mast was down. Guess that will have to wait until next time.

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