You have to do three things to make it work..

Posted By: Jack, H23.5, Force 5, Clermont Fl.
Date: 7/19/08 8:52a.m.

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In Response To: Lowering the Mast Underway? (link) (Paul Johnson)

First you have to add mini wire stays (mine came with them). They hold the mast straight so you don't have to mess with holding it from the sides. Second you need a mast crutch that you can use with the rudder on and motoring (mine came with a removeable crutch), but I like it so much I leave it on all the time anyway. And third you need a one handed mast raiser so you can hold on with the other hand. The Hunter mainsheet system, or the Mac winch system will both work well. Since the mast can roll forward of back on the mast crutch, just pick up the base of the mast and walk it back. Pin it to the tabernacle, hook on the mini stays, stick the raising pole in the mast hole, hook on the jib halyard and the mainsheet to the pole. Fasten the mainsheet to the anchor eye on the bow and hoist in the mainsheet making sure the side turnbuckles don't hang up and bend. To lower do the same. The really hard part is holding on over boat wakes while pre-occupied raising the mast. In Key West I was in a narrow canel, so my son was steering while I was raising the mast. Boat wakes had no effect on mast sway with the stays. Dropping was easier since it was much faster and I didn't have to check the turnbuckles for bending. It sure made the ramp work fast since it was drive up, untie the boat and launch. Start the motor and go.. Just like a motorboat Here we launched, and waiting for my son to park the car.