Stepping the mast -- S21

Posted By: Glen / S-21 "Winterdream"
Date: 4/18/08 7:58a.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: hosting the mast for first tim (wilf)

It helps to have 2 people. Yes, the side stays (shrouds) are attached, but loosely adjusted. The back stay is attached, but loosly adjusted. Work the mast rearward (resting on the crutch in the rudder bracket) until you can attach the mast base at the tabernacle. It may be slightly unbalnced on the crutch at this point and may want to lift upward instead of resting on the cabin top. Watch the shrouds as you move it aft, as they tend to snag on winches, etc. With the mast base attached, but loose enough to pivot, prepare to raise the mast. Adjust all turnbuckles to point upright, even taping them to the cabin sides if necessary. Drape the back stay in the cockpit carefully to ensure it isn't twisted, tangled, and that the rear turnbuckle is positioned to smoothly pivot upward as the cable goes tight. This is imporant!!! The turnbuckles will twist and bend (complete destuction in some cases)as the tightening cable tries to lift them off the deck into an upright position... they don't want to slip along the anchor eyes smoothly and will bind. Get all turnbuckles upright before you start lifting! It now helps to have a helper on the foredeck to pull on the fore stay as you lift. The foredeck person won't have much leverage at first, but will quickly gain leverage as the mast comes up. Stand in the cockpit, feet on the benches, and start lifting the mast on your shoulder. Double check that all halyards, topping lift, etc are properly led fore /aft of the spreaders, and are untangled. (We've all stepped a mast only to find the halyard at the top of the mast, or threaded thru the spreaders on the wrong side, etc) Walk forward (shuffle your feet) and continue lifting. Pause just before the final vertical position and re-check those turnbuckles for alignment. Hold the mast vertical, pressing forward against the backstay (does not take much effort at this point) while the foredeck person attaches the forestay at the bow. Then proceed to "tune" the rigging with proper tensions on all stays. This is a big topic on its own. There have been discussions here in the past about tension and mast bend, rake, etc. It will be simpler after you have it tuned correctly the 1st time. I drop my mast by only loosening the port shrouds and back stay. Then I only have to deal with those turnbuckles at the next mast raising. If you can get a helper who has stepped a mast on any kind of boat before it will add to your confidence. On the other hand, it really is not that bad an experience anyway... just take it slow and keep looking at everything as the stays begin to straighten out as the mast goes up. Some people have more elaborate winch assist or solo techniques, but do it as described above the 1st time. Let us know how it goes. Good luck.