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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Up the Mast with Backstay Down?

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dacc
1st Mate

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USA
40 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/05/2011 : 20:48:03

Hello Board,

I'm trying to install the topping lift kit from Catalina Direct without taking my mast down. There's only one aft hole in the mast head, so the topping lift wire has to share it with the backstay.

If I take the backstay off and go up the mast, will my rig fall over? I lost my crutch and don't intend to haul out anytime soon.

Thanks,

- Dan

"Windhorse" 1978 Catalina 25
Std Rig, Swing Keel, Pop Top

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2011 : 07:21:49

I'm not sure how the CD kit attaches, but DO NOT not go up the mast without a back stay.

Since this is only a topping lift, consider attaching it with either a hasp and clevis pin or attaching something to the mast itself. (I believe we used a small ti-light block and just ran 1/32 spectra through it)

Your other options are: 1. Drop the mast, crutch or not the thing is not hard to put up with a few peple. 2. find someone with a mast hoist and go up in a chair on the mast hoist - or use it to drop the mast.

I hesitate to throw in ideas that might prompt you to do this, but if you do ignore the advice, use your main halyard as a temporary backstay and make sure your lowers are snug.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2011 : 18:05:15

If you do this, your name will make it into the newspapers. The word dumb may appear in the headline.

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9087 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2011 : 18:50:40

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Champipple
 I hesitate to throw in ideas that might prompt you to do this, but if you do ignore the advice, use your main halyard as a temporary backstay...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Hmmmmmmm... I'd like to think he's going up on the main halyard, with the jib halyard as a safety line...

On second thought, I don't like to think of it.

The C-25 is made for dropping the mast, not for climbing it, and certainly not for detaching a stay while you're at the top (well above the top of the lower shrouds).

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pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2011 : 20:15:57

Arnold said it best... "don't be a girly man, drop the mast", or something like that. I is very easy to do in the slip.

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Boomeroo
Navigator

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Australia
129 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2011 : 00:01:11

Go up the Mast
I use a properly designed Bosun's Chair and with one friend ( or wife )can go up retrieve a halyard , repair the wind-vane (birds sit on it)fit the CD lazy jacks etc in less than 30 min . on a mooring , at anchor etc . So easy for a 65+ yo.
Use the main halyard as a temp back-stay with the main-sheet to tension it . then a spin halyard and jib halyard as lift and spare on the bosun's chair.. Very safe

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dacc
1st Mate

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USA
40 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2011 : 22:24:37

Wow interesting idea, Graeme, thanks. I have a roller furler so I go up on the main halyard. Maybe I could run a temporary line to the main sheet, though.

Or maybe I should just stop being a girly man as Frank says. =) Something romantic about being aloft, though, as long as the boat and I aren't in danger.

There is an extra hole in the forward part of the mast head, but I can't see a way to run the topping lift that way without causing chafe somewhere.

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Scooter
Navigator

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USA
228 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2011 : 06:30:45

2 cents.

Don't take the risk.

There's too many options for a temporary (long term temporary) solution. You can connect it with any number of hardware options and "clip" onto the same pin the backstay is on. At least until you CAN drop the mast.

I am thinking of those SS chain links that have a screw bolt? Don't know what you call them? Found a pic. Almost anything SS that would work is better than taking the chance.

Just a thought. Why take the risk?

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cks
Navigator

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126 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2011 : 07:10:04

Can you attach a swivel block to the mast head instead of taking the backstay off? That's how I rigged mine.

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dacc
1st Mate

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USA
40 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2011 : 20:45:42

Great idea, Scooter! I'll look for one of those at the hardware store. Thanks for all the advice, guys.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2011 : 03:36:12

Check out my favorite [url="http://www.marinepartdepot.com/shackle.html"]stainless hardware store[/url]

Paul

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9087 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2011 : 05:21:00

No need for a block or swivel unless for some reason you're leading the topping lift down the mast. A little shackle can hook it to the clevis pin. You could even close a stainless S-hook around the pin (and the line).

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