I do a block (or snatch block) at the stem fitting. Run a long line from the fitting on the end of the forestay, lead it through the block at the stem i just put in place and then aft to a winch (or cleat) in the cockpit. Attach the shrouds and the backstay, slide the boom-less ginpole-less mast aft and pin the base to the tabernacle and then stand in the cockpit on the seats and lift the mast to my shoulder while pulling up the slack in the forestay line nest to me in the cockpit. I then stand the mast vertical as i move forward in the cockpit and pull up the slack in the forestay line next to me that's run around that winch and cleat it off when the mast is close to position, then go forward and untie the forestay line and make the pinned connection there. If you tie the line or set this forward block ahead of the pin location on the stem fitting you can even winch a little tension in to the forestay to pin it easier b4 you untie this helper line. This is essentially what I do on my NorSea 27, waaay easier and essentially no excitement on the monty! Nor'Sea uses the boom as a necessary gin pole for in-line leverage and side-to-side stability. Tim M17FD On Tue, Mar 29, 2016 at 1:33 PM, David Rifkind <drifkind@acm.org> wrote:
On Mar 29, 2016, at 10:10 AM, Thomas Buzzi <thomaspbuzzi@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi David, Yes, there is a scramble area getting up over the cabin while supporting the mast. I copied someone else's idea about a gin pole and side guy wires to use the trailer winch to raise and lower the mast. MUCH easier and you can always lock the trailer winch in mid hoist to adjust the mast and rigging. I used to do what you are doing and never had a problem as long as I kept some forward pressure against the mast.
I just found what I think is a simpler solution to this problem (the shroud problem, not the mast raising one) that I’ll tell you about as soon as I stop bouncing around and saying, “I am a CHENIUS!” But I was so excited about it that I had to go out and try raising and lowering the mast, even though the wind is whistling straight in from the west, and my boat is parked pointing west. And just as I was edging up onto the cabin top, with one hand on the mast and one on the handrail, I felt the wind gust and the mast start to topple.
Holy Cow.
Well, it didn’t go down, but I just had to stand there for a while with my arms wrapped around it, looking like a dazed koala, waiting for the wind to die down before I had the nerve to go for the forestay.
Have you ever seen the poster that says, “Maybe the purpose of your life is to serve as a warning to others”?
The dicey part was when the mast was up, having to hold the forestay with a bare hand while I also had to snap in the shackle or fit a clevis pin.
The very first time I put the mast up, I said to myself at that point, “Man, it would be embarrassing to drop the pin right now”. Then I dropped the pin. (Now the pin is tied to the shackle with a bit of cord.)