* * * * *** After many years of having help to do all the tasks to prepare my boat to sail, including stepping the mast on my M -15, I now find that I would like to accomplish those tasks solo. Does anyone have any ideas on stepping the mast solo? * * Steve* * M-15 # 335 *
It is pretty easy to do with some prep. The M15 mast is not too heavy. Here is what I do: I have a jib downhaul on the starboard side. It goes from the cockpit coming through a cam cleat up to the bow, through a block and ends with a carabiner. When used for my jib downhaul I clip it to a ring on the forestay which pulls the jib down. But I use this line for double duty. It is also my line used for stepping the mast. So, here is how I do it. I lift the base of the mast off the trailer holder and put it on the mast step on the cabin top, and put in the bolt. Note that the cabin top needs to be partially closed or else on my boat the lower part of the mast hits the cabin top. Then, I make sure the shrouds are clear of any snags. I run the forestay forward and clip it to that carabiner for the jib downhaul after loosening the downhaul and bringing it forward to reach the forestay. I then pull the downhaul snug to take up the slack. I hold the downhaul line in my hand, and step the mast up hand over hand until upright. I now pull the downhaul tight and cleat in the cam cleat. That acts as the temporary forestay until I can then let go of the mast, walk forward, and while holding the forestay tight I unclip it from the carabiner, and clip it into the fitting on the bow. Perfect. Bringing the mast down is just a bit tougher I basically reverse the process clipping the forestay to the carabiner again. Now, I make sure that the cabin top is a bit aft to allow room for the lowered mast, and then getting a good stable wide stance I pull the mast back slightly and drop it into my hands. You have to be careful here as it is just a bit ungainly. I have never dropped the mast, but I can imagine if I were smaller, it would be a longer drop. Practice this in the driveway. I step and lower my mast alone every time I sail. Some people do the same thing, but use the jib halyard instead for the safety line. Daniel Rich M15 #208 "Kestrel" danielgrich@gmail.com On Aug 8, 2012, at 7:47 PM, Linda Cummings wrote:
* * * * *** After many years of having help to do all the tasks to prepare my boat to sail, including stepping the mast on my M -15, I now find that I would like to accomplish those tasks solo. Does anyone have any ideas on stepping the mast solo?
* * Steve* * M-15 # 335 *
My method is similar. I tie off the jib halyard (rope, the wire halyard won't reach) to the bow rail and leave the mast end loose. I stand on the cabin top, grab the mast near the aft edge of the cabin and lift it up. Then I put lots of tension on the halyard and clearway it off. Lowering or is the reverse. Stand on the cabin top and guide it to the carrier This is only for the M15. Thanks Doug M15G On Aug 8, 2012 7:59 PM, "Daniel Rich" <danielgrich@gmail.com> wrote:
It is pretty easy to do with some prep. The M15 mast is not too heavy. Here is what I do:
I have a jib downhaul on the starboard side. It goes from the cockpit coming through a cam cleat up to the bow, through a block and ends with a carabiner. When used for my jib downhaul I clip it to a ring on the forestay which pulls the jib down. But I use this line for double duty. It is also my line used for stepping the mast. So, here is how I do it. I lift the base of the mast off the trailer holder and put it on the mast step on the cabin top, and put in the bolt. Note that the cabin top needs to be partially closed or else on my boat the lower part of the mast hits the cabin top. Then, I make sure the shrouds are clear of any snags. I run the forestay forward and clip it to that carabiner for the jib downhaul after loosening the downhaul and bringing it forward to reach the forestay. I then pull the downhaul snug to take up the slack. I hold the downhaul line in my hand, and step the mast up hand over hand until upright. I now pull the downhaul tight and cleat in the cam cleat. That acts as the temporary forestay until I can then let go of the mast, walk forward, and while holding the forestay tight I unclip it from the carabiner, and clip it into the fitting on the bow. Perfect.
Bringing the mast down is just a bit tougher I basically reverse the process clipping the forestay to the carabiner again. Now, I make sure that the cabin top is a bit aft to allow room for the lowered mast, and then getting a good stable wide stance I pull the mast back slightly and drop it into my hands. You have to be careful here as it is just a bit ungainly. I have never dropped the mast, but I can imagine if I were smaller, it would be a longer drop. Practice this in the driveway. I step and lower my mast alone every time I sail.
Some people do the same thing, but use the jib halyard instead for the safety line.
Daniel Rich M15 #208 "Kestrel" danielgrich@gmail.com
On Aug 8, 2012, at 7:47 PM, Linda Cummings wrote:
* * * * *** After many years of having help to do all the tasks to prepare my boat to sail, including stepping the mast on my M -15, I now find that I would like to accomplish those tasks solo. Does anyone have any ideas on stepping the mast solo?
* * Steve* * M-15 # 335 *
Some use a 'gin pole' to help in this task. One end would be fastened to the forward edge of the mast 9maybe a foot off the deck) and would be long enough to reach to the hardware at the bow. It could be held level at the forward edge by the jib halyard on top and then have another line attached directly under the halyard , running through a block and back to the cabin. There are videos on YouTube showing this arrangement on larger boats. On Thu, Aug 9, 2012 at 11:44 AM, douglas kelch <doug1kelch@gmail.com> wrote:
My method is similar. I tie off the jib halyard (rope, the wire halyard won't reach) to the bow rail and leave the mast end loose. I stand on the cabin top, grab the mast near the aft edge of the cabin and lift it up. Then I put lots of tension on the halyard and clearway it off. Lowering or is the reverse. Stand on the cabin top and guide it to the carrier
This is only for the M15.
Thanks Doug M15G On Aug 8, 2012 7:59 PM, "Daniel Rich" <danielgrich@gmail.com> wrote:
It is pretty easy to do with some prep. The M15 mast is not too heavy. Here is what I do:
I have a jib downhaul on the starboard side. It goes from the cockpit coming through a cam cleat up to the bow, through a block and ends with a carabiner. When used for my jib downhaul I clip it to a ring on the forestay which pulls the jib down. But I use this line for double duty. It is also my line used for stepping the mast. So, here is how I do it. I lift the base of the mast off the trailer holder and put it on the mast step on the cabin top, and put in the bolt. Note that the cabin top needs to be partially closed or else on my boat the lower part of the mast hits the cabin top. Then, I make sure the shrouds are clear of any snags. I run the forestay forward and clip it to that carabiner for the jib downhaul after loosening the downhaul and bringing it forward to reach the forestay. I then pull the downhaul snug to take up the slack. I hold the downhaul line in my hand, and step the mast up hand over hand until upright. I now pull the downhaul tight and cleat in the cam cleat. That acts as the temporary forestay until I can then let go of the mast, walk forward, and while holding the forestay tight I unclip it from the carabiner, and clip it into the fitting on the bow. Perfect.
Bringing the mast down is just a bit tougher I basically reverse the process clipping the forestay to the carabiner again. Now, I make sure that the cabin top is a bit aft to allow room for the lowered mast, and then getting a good stable wide stance I pull the mast back slightly and drop it into my hands. You have to be careful here as it is just a bit ungainly. I have never dropped the mast, but I can imagine if I were smaller, it would be a longer drop. Practice this in the driveway. I step and lower my mast alone every time I sail.
Some people do the same thing, but use the jib halyard instead for the safety line.
Daniel Rich M15 #208 "Kestrel" danielgrich@gmail.com
On Aug 8, 2012, at 7:47 PM, Linda Cummings wrote:
* * * * *** After many years of having help to do all the tasks to prepare my boat to sail, including stepping the mast on my M -15, I now find that I would like to accomplish those tasks solo. Does anyone have any ideas on stepping the mast solo?
* * Steve* * M-15 # 335 *
Try using a roller on top of your mast crutch and make the mast crutch about 2 feet above the level of the mast base. Once you pin the mast at the base you'll have the needed leverage to lift the mast. Joe SeaFrog ----- Original Message ----- From: Linda Cummings To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2012 10:47 PM Subject: M_Boats: Solo stepping the mast * * * * *** After many years of having help to do all the tasks to prepare my boat to sail, including stepping the mast on my M -15, I now find that I would like to accomplish those tasks solo. Does anyone have any ideas on stepping the mast solo? * * Steve* * M-15 # 335 *
Oh.. the roller makes it so easy to walk the mast back. Joe ----- Original Message ----- From: Joe Murphy To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2012 9:59 PM Subject: Re: M_Boats: Solo stepping the mast Try using a roller on top of your mast crutch and make the mast crutch about 2 feet above the level of the mast base. Once you pin the mast at the base you'll have the needed leverage to lift the mast. Joe SeaFrog ----- Original Message ----- From: Linda Cummings To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2012 10:47 PM Subject: M_Boats: Solo stepping the mast * * * * *** After many years of having help to do all the tasks to prepare my boat to sail, including stepping the mast on my M -15, I now find that I would like to accomplish those tasks solo. Does anyone have any ideas on stepping the mast solo? * * Steve* * M-15 # 335 *
participants (5)
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Daniel Rich -
Don White -
douglas kelch -
Joe Murphy -
Linda Cummings