Tim, My memory of raising and lowering the mast by myself is better than my ability to describe the procedure, but I'll try. I recommend that you have an assistant with you the first few times you do it. Here goes... With the mast resting on the mast post, the bolt through the mast plate, leave all shrouds attached including the backstays. I tied in a short 1/8" line that I left permanently attached to the forestay turnbuckle a loop. Next I attached a carabineer to a long dock line that had a pre-spliced loop on one end and then to the loop on the forestay. I would take the dock line to a carabineer on the deck fitting at the bow. Once the dock line was all hooked-up, I led it back to the base of the mast. Then I stood in the cockpit, raised the mast to my shoulder and would walk forward until it was standing straight up, making sure that all the shrouds were clear of possible hang-ups on winches, etc. Next, I picked up the dock line, pulled it tight and walked forward keeping tension on it. At the bow, I tied off the dock line to a bow cleat and then attached the forestay. Reverse all this to lower it. Mike
Would you mind sharing what method you used for raising and lowering the mast of your M17? I generally keep the boat rigged, so have only moved the mast a couple of times. Still looking for an easier method. Thanks, Tim D.
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