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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Lowering the Mast

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Wayne Wallace
1st Mate

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USA
28 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/15/2004 : 09:37:45

I am preparing to lower the mast on my 250 for the first time to mount a VHF ant etc. Is it required, recommended to remove the sail from the CDI furler?

Wayne Wallace
ZMAJESTIC

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Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 09/15/2004 : 14:15:36

I did the last time. But that was because there was a hurricane coming. Previously I left it on. One concern is the CDI drum dragging across the deck and up the forward port'l. But do make sure you have a gen (sp) pole to get a mechanical advantage. The first time I did it on the water I just used a bridle run up the mast with the main halyard. It went directly to the block on the bow. And from there to the jib sheet winch. As the mast came lower and lower I lost the angle of the bridle and it finally just started streching.

Fortunatley the mast came down in the crutch. Otherwise it would have taken out my companion way hatch. This last time I simply used a single 2"x4"x8' notched on both ends so it would fit the mast and the bridle. That made for a very controlled drop.

Good Luck. And as always... should you and your IM force fail our secretary will disavow any knowledge of you.

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Bubba
Admiral

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USA
542 Posts

Response Posted - 09/15/2004 : 18:37:58

The last time I lowered mine, using an A-frame gin pole, I hooked the furling drum to the line used to lower the mast. I used a D-ring so the furling drum could slide along the line as the mast tipped aft. This kept the drum off the deck until the mast was down and I slacked the line used to lower it. I shoulda taken pictures. Next time I will.

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bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 09/15/2004 : 20:38:34

Brian Beamer offered a suggestion a few years ago which worked the nuts. Put an old winter pullover watch cap over the furler drum to prevent scratching the deck and/or front windows. My mast comes down in ten days for the season. Once again four of us with the second halyard rope extended out over the bow with an extension and baby stays in place.

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Keith D.
Navigator

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USA
233 Posts

Response Posted - 09/15/2004 : 23:53:28

Wayne when exactly are you planning to do this? I am in the area and have a 250-wb on a trailer and have everything to raise and lower the mast. Here is a post I put out on just dealing with the cdi furler. . http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6352. With the correct equipment the mast goes up and down in minutes. As far as removing the sail from the CDI furler, it comes off and goes on the furler so easy there is no reason not to take it off. Taking it off reduces weight and windage and reduces the possibility of damage to the sail. Let me know and I might be able to come out and help. Keith Umbreit

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tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2004 : 01:35:00

Keith thanks for the link, I missed that when you posted it the first time. I like the short loop of rope with the carabiner. It keeps the furler on center with the mast. I usually keep my sail on so I may need to keep a little tension on the forestay somehow. So far my wife manages the furler while I raise and drop the mast but I have been thinking there has got to be a way to make that part less strssfull and let me do it solo.

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528
Navigator

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USA
181 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2004 : 08:42:26

Todd, I connect a bungee cord from the lifeline turnbuckle to the furler with the pin out. You will need the right lenght bungee, so there is tension which lifts the furler before raising the mast. My wife does the winching, and the furler stays on deck while I make sure everything is clear. I then hold the furler when the tension is lost as the mast raises. I also use a bungee on the stay turnbuckles to keep them upright, hooked around the lifeline aft of the stantion just to the rear. Bungees at the stern to keep those standing attachments upright and keep the split stay in front of the wheel so it doesn't snag. It makes the whole process pretty easy. Always make sure a line doesn't catch the wheel or roller stand on the stern, that's good for a mild 4-letter word! Good luck.

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sailgal
Captain

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USA
400 Posts

Response Posted - 10/11/2004 : 12:52:59

Keith.....I read your posts - good info....but, how secure is a quick pin for boom attachment to mast? Is this the type or do you use another style that you find is safe/heavy duty?
do your pins look like this?

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Keith D.
Navigator

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USA
233 Posts

Response Posted - 10/11/2004 : 21:34:17

Suzie: The pin’s I use are the Ball-Loc Quick-release pins (see W.M. page 1009) These are a push button release pin with a collar to keep the pin from being pushed by accident and are positive lock. They will not come out unless you push the button. The one you have pictured does not look like a positive locking style.
Keith

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sailgal
Captain

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USA
400 Posts

Response Posted - 10/12/2004 : 14:13:59

Thanks Keith, anything that speeds up the breakdown/setup process is appreciated!
Boy those pins sure are a pretty penny. Thanks again for sharing the info!!

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528
Navigator

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USA
181 Posts

Response Posted - 10/12/2004 : 21:37:24

Here is a shot of my raising helpers. The green one holds the furler and the red ones hold the turnbuckles from the lifeline stantion. We had our last up-north sail today on Lake StClair. She heads to Fla. in a couple weeks.

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frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 10/12/2004 : 22:51:39

Suzie said:
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Boy those pins sure are a pretty penny.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

I thought I own her, but she is correct they do cost a bunch. I thing I can sit and remove a cotter ring a lot of times for that kind of money, but I don't remove the mast that often. Just for hurricanes and bottom jobs when I remove all, then clean and polish.

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