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The Clippers, and probably most trailerable boats, are designed to have the mast go up and down with the full shrouds attached, meaning the pair that go to the spreader tips and then to the masthead. If you are stepping the mast from aft forward (usual for most folks), the only shrouds that you should have to deal with are the forward pair. In other words, next time you lower your mast, disconnect the forward pair and leave the others completely unaltered.
Having the full shrouds in place automatically prevents the mast from shifting very far from side to side. There is a little slop, but that's both intentional and unimportant. The essential point is this: those full shrouds keep the mast from going very far side-to-side when the mast is fully erected, and they do the same job the rest of the time, too.
That means that whatever gin pole arrangement (including an "A" frame) that you choose to use does not have the responsibility of keeping the mast centered on the way up or down.
I don't use an "A" frame, I have a simple gin pole (ABS plastic pipe) that engages the mast pivot at one end and the forestay turnbuckle at the top end. It always helps to do some manual assist for the first part of the lift, but you don't have to worry about the mast going sideways if your shrouds are properly attached.
However: never, never should you or anyone else be on the boat centerline under that bad boy on the way up or down. Always assume it's going to crash, and then celebrate if it doesn't.
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Trailer Sailor Discussion Forum
A Frame -- Vince -- 2/15/08 11:18a.m.
Raising a stable mast -- Greg CM26 Seattle CLM005771173 -- 2/16/08 12:58a.m.
-- Greg CM26 Seattle CLM005771173 -- 2/16/08 11:40a.m.
-- Mike Laine CM26 San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico -- 8/27/08 4:22p.m.