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leaving mast stepped

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Dustysailz
1st Mate

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USA
85 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/02/2013 : 09:48:35

The time has come to search for a new marina for winter storage. My current marina has few dedicated employees has shallow water in the launch/ haul area and has the first original travel lift used in Rhode Island (it cannot haul sailboats with the mast stepped). At times I haven't been hauled until after the snow flies or put in the water until the middle of June(the yard needs high tide to launch sailboats, very little wind and some people to help with the launching). Add to that the yard owner is a cantankerous Yankee, difficult to deal with and placed my boat in the water knowing I would be pulling off the carburetor as the motor is not running, had to cut my lock securing my ladder to the boat stands and responded as though he didn't do anything wrong. A short distance up the bay there is another yard, with upgraded facilities and travel lift (and they even have a crane!). Although, it's a long way off I'm thinking I would like to start using them and leaving the mast stepped. Would any of you have any thoughts on this as I cant recall seeing it in the forums previously. Thank you.

Samuel Jennings, "Ode To Joy", '84 Std. Rig, fin keel, #4503

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 06/02/2013 : 11:15:39

Unless the price is hugely different, it sounds like "Should I stop hitting my head against the wall?"

I've stored in a marina that charged extra to unstep and step the mast (most sailboats were stored with masts up), and another that charged extra to store <i>with</i> the mast up--I guess it made movement of boats more complicated for them. They didn't even <i>allow</i> masts up when I first went there, even though their travel-lift could handle them. Having it down has some benefits for inspection and maintenance--e.g., my new standing and running rigging... Up makes covering the boat more complicated (if you're so inclined).

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bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1776 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2013 : 07:11:20

Just one guy's opinion . . . I unstep the mast and have the rigging checked every winter. Our boats are getting long in the tooth and if you have ever been at a yard with boats on the hard with stepped masts and when it's howling you realize the stress the rig and deck/structure must endure. As our boats age that stress is just going to age the boat faster so, in my humble opinion, unstepping the mast is cheap assurance for longer life for the boat.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.