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Mast Stepping re-visited

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Manitou
Deckhand

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16 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/11/2003 : 19:56:27

There has been several articles about stepping the mast on a cat 25 and many of them have been very helpful. I just stepped mine this last weekend and have some "lessons learned." When I was researching the best technique I found several suggestions. The one I tried first was using the main sheet attached to the boom for mechanical advantage. I slacked and removed the lower aft shrouds and the mains. Next I slacked and removed the backstay while a buddy held the mast. I hooked the main sheet onto the boom on the top cast fitting (NOT the usual sailing connection - it seemed too flimsy). We slid the gooseneck up a few feet to increase leverage and clear the companion way hatch and began to lower it. By guiding the mast down and using pressure on the lower forwards it was easy to maintain lateral stability. It was a farily windy day and there was wake turbulance from passing boats so it was a bit tricky. The problem came when we had lowered the mast about 45 degrees. The gooseneck connects to the mast towards the top of the boom and when the mast hits about 45 degrees the bottom of the boom comes in contact with the mast and the pressure is too much and the gooseneck snaps. It happened with a loud pop and the mast falling free with me trying to hold it on a pitching deck. Between the surprise, the moving deck and the weight (a bit more than I suspected) the mast came down hard. I was able to slow it enough to prevent damage, but definately not the reccomended way to have the mast come down.

When it came to raise the mast we hooked the main sheet into the backstay and it worked well, but we forgot the play out the aft turnbuckle and didn't keep an eye on the fore stay at the turnbuckle and it kinked itself. Now we faced the problem of the backstay not reaching the fitting to secure it, having to use one hand to disconnect the main sheet from the backstay and try to seat it home in the fitting so one of us could go forward and straighten the forstay. It was painful to say the least.

We finally were able to hold the mast, switch the main sheet onto the main haylard (I suggest tying a figure eight at the cleat to prevent a nasty slip) and use the main sheet to pull the mast upright against the tension in the forestay and fasten the backstay. From my experience the main sheet/main haylard is the best combination to provide the "helping hand" to raise and lower the mast. My only structural concern is the pressure you place on the pullies at the mast head so I would try not to let the entire weight of the mast rest on the haylard. But it was more than strong enough to help with the awkward 90 - 30 degree window where the mast is difficult to control.

I hope this helps. Thanks to all that post here and help us all out.

Edited by - on

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2003 : 19:46:02

By moving the boom further up the mast you plaed more presure on the fittings and mast. The idea would be to keep the boom gooseneck as low on the mast as you can or at least leave it where it is. DON't place it higher. You have seen the ideas and ways here used to raise masts and decided to try what you beleved to be a better way. Sounds like you had a hard time. Its all a learning process and I know nex time it will go better because you know what to expect. I have raised my mast single handed. I used an A frame set up. I have done it several ways but the A frame was the easyest and most stable. I used 1 1/2 " diaminter steel electrical conduit flatened the ends and drilled them for through bolts. I always drop the mast aft and use another A frame or crutch to lower the mast into.

Doug&Ruth
Triska (Alberg 29)
Tacoma Wa.

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lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2003 : 22:50:41

Doug - is Triska trailerable, with a deck-stepped mast? I don't know what an Alberg 29 looks like, but I know there are very few sailboats longer than 27' that are considered to be trailerable, and therefore have deck-stepped pivoting masts. The only ones I can think of offhand are the Olsen 30, a ULDB racing boat, and the Corsair F-31, a collapseable trimaran. I am not even sure if you could realistically raise an Olsen 30 mast without a yard crane, they're pretty long, and much heavier than a Catalina 25 mast. We have one Catalina 270 in our sailing club, and the owner has trailered it a few places, but the mast raising/lowering is an order of magnitude more complex than on a Catalina 25, he has to get a wide load permit to trailer the boat, and the trailer had to be custom made and was hugely expensive, $15,000 I recall.

Larry Charlot
Catalina 25 #1205 "Quiet Time"
Sacramento, CA

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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.