My Mast Won't Lower

[scuttles]

Hi,

I just bought a 2006 26M. Raised the mast with the mast raising system no problem. Now the mast won't lower. When I crank the winch the rope between the bow and the mast raising system become slack, the mast starts to lower a little bit but stops. The pivot plate that the mast is bolted does not lift in the front or pivot away from the deck to the stern. I tried prying the bow end of the plate up but it does not move much and doesn't continue to pivot. I tried pulling the top of the mast to the stern with the mast sheet halyard, no luck. What am I doing wrong? I am afraid that the mast will rip off of the pivot plate. I do not want to force or break any thing.

Thanks Scott

[Russ]

Stupid question, but have you removed the forestay?
That is really the only thing holding it from falling back.

[Obelix]

From my own experience, have you loosened the furler line

Obelix

[kevinnem]

fuller line, halyard (might be tied off to the front) the sail itself, if it is tied off. Also, under the heading of stuff I have seen, the top of the mast should fall to the back of the boat, . not the front, as it is lowered.

Kev.

[mdeane]

Just a thought; do you have any hardware attached to your mast swivel plate that could be bound between the mast step plate and the deck?

Marc

[RobertB]

If your mast does not lower within 4 hours, seek medical help


Sorry, just had too beat Catigale and kmclemore to the punch(line)

[Catigale]

Well struck, sir!!

You've won two cans of spotted dick for your efforts.

[scuttles]

Thanks for the laughs. And don't tell my wife. While I have done a lot idiotic things this one has got me stumped. Yes I am lowering the mast towards the stern. Yes I disconnected the roller furling forestay and the furling line has been disconnected. I just purchased the boat and previous owner is dead so I can't ask him his advice or his modifications. There does not seem to be any mods the the base plate. I did not remove the pin for the mast rotation could that make a difference?

Thanks Scott

[Québec 1]

Did you remove the boom?

[scuttles]

I stripped the boat of everything when I bought it. So the boom is not on the boat.

[seahouse]

I can't recall from memory, but is there only one 3/8" stainless bolt installed in the plate at the base of the mast on which the mast pivots? There should only be one at the aft part of the mast, which stays installed for lowering, and not a second one ahead of it that might inhibit lowering.

[scuttles]

Yes only one bolt on the stern end of the plate. The self locking nut is just engaged on the threads and the bolt turns.

[scuttles]

Is it possible to over tighten the mast raising system and jam the plate in some way?

Thanks Scott

[seahouse]

It’s conceivable that the two angle brackets have been bent inward and closed around the mast foot plate. The nut needs to be only tightened by hand. Did you use a wrench?

Possible to undo the damage if that’s the case. Use the largest crescent wrench you have and close it down around the angles and bend them outward just enough to clear the base plate. Stop if it looks like you are, or might be, overstressing the attachment of the screws that hold the brackets to the deck (ie. pulling them out).

Be aware that the waterproofness of the seal around the base of the screws has likely been compromised. I’m working from memory here, so maybe someone else more familiar with the attachment method (through bolts, screws, which are they?) can suggest a procedure to address this.

Brian.

[Champguy]

Pics may help us determine what's going on.

Aaron