Re: Stepping a mast on a 26A

Posted By: Giorgio
Date: 8/24/05 5:10a.m.

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In Response To: Stepping a mast on a 26A (Colorado Mike)

With two people, it is relatively easy. You will need some sort of support for the mast at the rear of the cockpit which will keep it level with the tabernacle (mast support on the cabin top) (Note the "X" made of 2x4's in the cockpit. It was supported by the wheel in my case.) One person on a ladder behind the boat. Move the mast rearward until it can be fastened into the tabernacle. The four side shrouds (stays) and the rear stay are then fastened to the boat, making sure (if possible) that they will not foul up with anything when the mast is raised. The fore stay should have a long line attached to it. Then the person on the ladder (shorter of the two people) goes around to the front of the boat, way out in front of the truck pulling the boat, and with the boat pointed downhill if possible, and pulls on the line attached to the forestay to remove all of the slack. The taller person, in the cockpit still, hoists the mast up onto his/her shoulder, double checks all of the stays for possible fouling conditions. Then in unison the cockpit person pushes the mast up as high as possible while the person out front pulls on the line attached to the forestay. The person in the cockpit walks forward as far as possible, keeping the mast centered as it goes up, then when it is up, he/she walks to the front of the boat and attaches the forestay. (The downhill part really helps at this point, because the mast wants to lean toward the front of the boat.) I am sure that there are many other ways to step the mast, and I hope others join in and post the way that they do it. Giorgio