Hi George
Being 65 myself I can relate to your question about raising the mast on a M17.
I raise and lower the mast by myself, I'm probably not the first person
to use this system, others may have different versions but this works for me.
 
The only stays I detach is the foward stay, all others remain attached.
 
After the mast has been positioned in the base bracket and "pinned".
 
1. Fasten a block on the bow of the boat.
2. Cleat the jib halyard to the mast
3. Run the jib halyard thru the block on the bow.
4. Hold the free end of the jib halyard loosly in either hand.
5. Standing in the cockpit (assuming you have already "pinned" the mast in the bracket) put the mast on your shoulder and pick it up as high as you can as you walk foward.
6. When you have raised the mast as high as you can reach, (about 30 or 40 degrees) pull on the line in your hand and the mast will go on up. 
7. When the mast is vertical, cleat the line to anything handy, go around to the bow and secure the foward stay.
8. Lowering is reverse procedure.
 
As always you need to make sure the lines and shrouds go up without a tangle, otherwise you have to lower it and untangle them.
 
Always make sure the block is securely fastenedat the bow, and the jib halyard is secure before pulling on it.
 
Hope this helps
 
Wayne M17 "Intrepid"
 
----- Original Message -----
From: Egatempo@aol.com
To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com
Sent: Saturday, May 17, 2003 9:12 AM
Subject: M_Boats: Mast Raising

Being 70+ I look for the help I can get when doing something physical. I am sure that I read some where in the files about an optional mast raising rig. Has any one used it? If so does it work? Has any one developed there own system that works for them?

Sure am glad that you all are out there to help?  

George
Boatless (but not for long)
We cannot direct the wind,
but we can adjust our sails.


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