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StSimon
Captain

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USA
298 Posts
Initially Posted - 03/31/2004 :  21:39:50  Show Profile
I posted earlier that I was buiding one along with an aluminum mast crutch. Last weekend I finally got the chance to try them out.

I set up both on the boat. I connected the jib halyard to the A-frame. Then I removed the forestay and attached the mainsheet block system to the A-frame and stem fitting and I started lowering the mast. It didn't take long to realize the mainsheet was nowhere long enough. Back up with the mast. I ran a longer line I had through the blocks and started back down. Everything went as promised except for the sideways sway of the mast. I rigged some bungee cords around the mast to the lifelines and steadying the mast with the loose shrouds successfully lowered the mast.

My question is, what am I doing wrong? I thought I read on this site that side sway was not an issue. Should I have left the mast pin tighter? Any help is appreciated.
Fair winds,

Andy, Breakin' Wind, 1984 C25 SK SR
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Chemist
Deckhand

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USA
16 Posts
Response Posted - 03/31/2004 :  22:17:33  Show Profile
The problem is the pivot point for the shrouds is lower than the pivot point for the mast, i.e. the mast step on the cabin top. I have seen a rig somewhere (I thought that it was in the Tech Tips, but I couldn't find it) where someone installed an additional pivot point in the upper shrouds that was at the same level as the mast pivot. The idea was to use shock cords to help keep the shroud pivots in place while the mast was going up or down. This should help keep some tension on the shrouds and avoid the side sway on the mast. Since I have my 25 launched in a yard where there is only a travel-lift, I can only raise/lower the mast on the water. I am always looking for the calmest, lowest traffic day to raise or lower. Actually I worry more about lowering the mast than raising it. Any wakes in the marina really will cause the mast to swing about if there isn't tension on the shrouds.

Bob Imes
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StSimon
Captain

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USA
298 Posts
Response Posted - 04/01/2004 :  22:49:17  Show Profile
Thanks,

I have seen this rig but it is not what I thought those using the A-frame were using.

Anyone else have any thoughts on the matter? I can't imagine raising/lowering the mast single handed in the water after what I experienced on the hard. It seems like an insurance claim waiting to happen when I loose the mast over the side while tearing the roof apart.
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Earl Landers
Navigator

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USA
157 Posts
Response Posted - 04/02/2004 :  10:07:04  Show Profile
Here is the link to "Not Yet"'s Huntington rig. http://www.catalina25-250.org/tech/tech25/nymastup.html.

I use a modified/temporary verision of this to move the pivot to the same level as the mast pivot. It consists of two short pieces of line and a SS ring. The two lines are connected to the SS ring. The other end of one line is attached to the inner hole of the upper shroud chainplate. The other line is attached to the forward lower chainplate. This forms a triangle that moves to SS ring to the same horizontal level as the mast pivot. From the ring, a temporary baby stay is attached to the mast. The purpose of this arrangement is to keep the mast from wandering as you experienced.
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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1772 Posts
Response Posted - 04/02/2004 :  10:57:10  Show Profile
As many times as I've used my A-frame, I've never had any trouble with side sway. I've raised/lowered the mast both with the boat on her trailer and in the water, and I've never used any bungies or anything to secure it. I stand in the cockpit and use a cabin-top winch to raise the mast or slow its descent, and the whole thing has always felt very controlled to me.

I'm beginning to wonder if side sway might be more pronounced if you have a tall rig vs a standard rig. It doesn't seem to me that an extra 2 feet of mast would make much difference, but maybe it does ... 'anyone have any thoughts

StSimon ... what kind of rig do you have?
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John V.
Admiral

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USA
559 Posts
Response Posted - 04/03/2004 :  19:24:55  Show Profile  Visit John V.'s Homepage
Speaking from the Standard Rig side of the dock......

When I had my C22 I used a gin pole to raise the mast and had a lot of difficulty with side sway. When I moved to the 25 I built an A frame. I raise the mast single handed mainly because my crew "Grace" has been 7,8 and 9 in the past seasons. While she is a great crew and is good at setting up for the mast raise, I make her stand clear should anything go wrong. I have a winch on the mast so I raise the mast using the winch while standing beside to steady. The A frame tends to balance the side to side sway by keeping the jib halyard centered. I think as the mast tries to sway to starboard the port leg of the A frame takes up the strain and the reverse as the mast sways the other way. Though what I describe is minute. the mast raised by an A frame does little dancing. I use the mainsheet tackle with the cam cleat set so the the mast will only go up so once started it is a one way trip. preparation is important, make sure all the stays are clear of snags and ready to go right up without kink.
Edited by - John V. on 04/03/2004 19:26:22
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deastburn
Captain

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USA
334 Posts
Response Posted - 04/04/2004 :  22:27:12  Show Profile
Does the mast sway side-to-side when nearly vertical or when nearly horizontal. If the latter (whcih I suspect is the case), then you may need to start with the mast resting in a taller cradle. Mine is solidly built out of 2x4's, and is ten feet tall from cockpit sole to mast crutch. That gives the mast a good start on its upward journey, and an early stop on its downward one.

Also, I always have a volunteer at the boatyard steady the mast while I do the "heavy lifting". There never seems to be a lack of volunteers at boatyards.
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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.