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Insight on dropping the Mast

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frich
Captain

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USA
418 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/05/2003 : 19:41:04

Today I dropped the mast on Irish Ayes using the "A" frame system talked about on this site recently. I have some insight for the first timers as I was.

Before getting the pipe nipples from Home Depot, I cut (2)3" x 3" pieces of heavy paper. I traced a 1" circle on each, and cut this out. Then I cut through the paper to the previously cut circle. What I was able to now do was go to the boat, slip the paper over the foward shroud and lay it flat on the deck. This way I was able to get precisley the angle of the 3/8" diameter bolt used to attach the nipple.

I used 3/8" diameter on the lower and 1/2" everywhere else on the
setup. Also you may want to double check the measurements for the bolt holes off the deck (the 3/8") i found when i plavced the nipple over the chainplate, it rested on the screws holding the plate. Thus i could not get the bolt to go through, simple fix was to grind some material off the nipple.

After everything was set I had a friend hold a spare halyard at the Bow. ( Iwanted some insurance) Then I had to give the mast a little push to get her going, meanwhile i was cleated off at the stern and around the winch.

The mast dropped strainght down in a PVC cradle the PO had fabricated which I had attached to the stern rail. No need for that big wooden structure this is light and easy to attach over the rails. I will get a photo posted on this its neat!!

In hindsight i think i might have put my halyard wrapped counterclocwise on the winch so I could control the decent a little better.

But all went well its down, and by the way the winds were gusting around 20MPH when i did this.

Thanks to Buzz for this great Gizzmo!!

Frank R
84 SK C25

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 10/06/2003 : 10:46:13

Hi Frank,

I'm glad things worked out so well for you!

I do the same thing you do ... I cleat the line holding the A-frame with a little bit of slack in it ... then I "rock" the mast back until it begins to fall ... that is the "scariest" part, 'cause you've got to trust the A-frame to catch the mast and do its job. Once the mast is started over, it's easy to uncleat the line and control the rate of descent from the cockpit with a winch (I use the cabin top winch) ... you can slowly lower the mast right into the cradle.

BTW, when you raise the mast you can cleat off the line before the mast is all the way up ... make sure the shrouds aren't tangled, then raise it the rest of the way ... it's slow and controlled, and you can keep the shrouds untangled so you don't damage the spreaders.

Good job!

Buzz Maring
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df23b3127cce9306a9b3abad0000001010" border=0>
~~Freya~~
C-25 SK/SR #68

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Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 10/06/2003 : 13:06:34

I just lowered my mast last Wednesday, and what I did to get the mast started the downward movement was, after I had the jib halyard and mainsheet attached to the a-frame, I undid the forestay and just gave a gentle tug on the backstay. I maintained control of the mast with the mainsheet in my hand and the mast came down nice and slow.

Ben
Adventurous
#5553
C25 SR/SK
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3ce27b3127cce8fc3c58ee15b0000001010" border=0>

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 10/06/2003 : 14:29:48

<font color=blue>I undid the forestay and just gave a gentle tug on the backstay - Ben</font id=blue>

Well ... duh ... as many times as I've done this, you'd think I would have thought of that <img src=icon_smile_blush.gif border=0 align=middle>. I'll try that next time ... that way you never have to leave the cockpit to get the mast started down, and everything is nice and controlled.

Thanks Ben!

Buzz Maring
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df23b3127cce9306a9b3abad0000001010" border=0>
~~Freya~~
C-25 SK/SR #68

Edited by - on

Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 10/06/2003 : 14:35:26

<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Ben
Adventurous
#5553
C25 SR/SK
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3ce27b3127cce8fc3c58ee15b0000001010" border=0>

Edited by - on

dave holtgrave
Captain

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USA
427 Posts

Response Posted - 10/06/2003 : 15:10:49

hey buzz and frich
i think your system is great.
let me pose one question.

how would you handle this with a harken furler?
i tie it up with a 9-10 ft 2x2at the bottom.

i would justlike to here from you or others.

HAS ANYONE TRIED THIS "A" FRAME WITH ROLLER FURLERS?

thanks in advance
dave holtgrave
5722 sk/tr
sailing carlyle for onlt 25 more days

Edited by - on

MattL
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 10/06/2003 : 15:43:45

I have a quick question on this. I have used it a few times with great success. Latley though I have been slacking the tension in the upper shrouds, to make sure I don't stress anything. This has made it a little wobbly coming down. Do you think I need to release this tension, I used 6 full turns on the turnbuckle the last time, or just don't loosen as much?
I did this yesterday at Monterey Harbor and had quite a few people watching on with great interst, and lots of questions.

Matt/Brigitte Loeffler
E.C. Rider
Cat 25 86'
FK/SR _/)
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2cf25b3127cce91e544e83b8c0000001010" border=0>

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frich
Captain

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USA
418 Posts

Response Posted - 10/06/2003 : 19:25:27

Dave

Irish Ayes has a CDI flexible furler, which the forestay goes through. When I undid this I laid the furler on the deck with a blanket underneath. (did not want to scratch anything) I suppose someone could hold the furler and walk it back as the mast comes down.

Frank R
84 C25 Sk

Edited by - frich on 10/06/2003 19:26:01

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