Subject: RE: M_Boats: Lowering of Mast with Roller Furler

I use two different methods to raise/lower the mast with the furler attached on my M15. The best is to have someone hold on to the drum as the mast is raised or lowered. The method I use when alone is to attach a bungee cord between the drum and the bow cleat. This keeps tension on the whole assembly. It would be a good idea to wrap the drum in towel or something like that though. (my wife made a cover for the drum out of two layers heavy cloth with a piece of 1/4" closed cell foam as insulation inside). I attach the forestay to the mast hound with a "modified" push button quick release pin. I drilled two small holes at the outward end of the barrel and insert a small hitch pin for extra security.

Don Haas M15-248 Dream Catcher

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[Original Message] From: John L. Gonzalez <jlgonzalez@san.rr.com> To: <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Date: 2/14/2005 8:29:16 PM Subject: M_Boats: Lowering of Mast with Roller Furler

I took folks' (Craig and Rik) counsel, and mounted fairleads on my M-15 for my CDI's furling line.

What's the best way to raise and lower the mast with the roller furler? Tie the drum up loosely at the bow pulpit? When I lowered my mast yesterday, the drum went over the side and scraped along the ground, while the head of it twisted alot at the mast hound.

Also, do you use a clevis pin and cotter ring to mate the top of the forestay to the mast hound, or do you use a quick release pin?

I was planning on using quick release pins (thumb actuated with two ball locks, one opposite of the other), instead of clevis pins and cotter rings, to mate the sidestays and forestay to the chainplates. Any counsel to the contrary?

Thanks! John G. M-15/Bella (628) La Jolla, CA

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