Mast raising S21

Posted By: Glen / S-21 "Winterdream"
Date: 4/21/08 7:26a.m.

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In Response To: thanks for reply Glen (wilf)

It sounds like you have "aft shrouds". The shrouds that start at the mast top (7/8 point anyway, and are called the upper shrouds), and go over the spreader tips, attach to the forward chain plate (It even with the mast) There will be an additional shroud that starts at the spreader (inboard end, where it attaches to the mast) and is called the lower shroud. This one also attaches at the same chain plate, even with the mast. You may also have aft shrouds, but these would not be original, but may have been added later. ( I have them on my boat). These aft shrouds attach at the inboard end of the spreaders, like the lower shrouds, but terminate at deck about a foot aft of the mast. They are used to help fine-tune mast bend. Without going into details about the "correct" mast bend, I do NOT count on these aft shrouds for too much tension, as their anchoring chain plate, or pad eye, is usually not as strong as the forward chain plate. I do not have to transition from the cockit to the cabin top if I have a foredeck helper. The helper will have plenty of leverage to take the mast up the final few feet by pulling the forestay. With the cabin hatch cover slightly forward (all the way open will interfere with the mast resting on the crutch.) I can shuffle my feet into the bunks inside the hatchway if I am raising the mast alone, and need to lift it all the way up myself. I have also used a line, turning block, and winch arrangement to pull on the forestay from my cockpit location when raising solo. Another reminder.... pause just before final vertical, and check those turnbuckles to be sure they are not laying sideways... as the mast goes vertical, it can subject the stays to substantial forces, and will bend the turnbuckles if they are not aligned before then.