need set up help, and mods.

[mastreb]

For trailering, I also disconnect the headstay at the hound and move it back so the furler is supported, which takes time and I almost always end up with halyards in the wrong place

Yeah, that's another thing I don't do. The furler projects forward about 4', and I support it by tying off the furling line to the pulpit. Two years in the UV, still no bend in the furler.

I'm beginning to understand why there's such a big gap between the "15 minute rigging club" and the "45 minute rigging club"

[Boblee]

Guess a lot of these things depend on how we use our most versatile boat, can see Mastrebs point just travelling to and from a launch a short distance away but totally unsuitable for us travelling 2000 k's+- and living in the boat as a caravan, we all have to evaluate what is best for us but for me it is better to have the spreaders above the lifelines with the added advantage of headroom in the cockpit as well as very quick mast erection by having it fully assembled ready to go.
Another reason I like quick assembly or dismantle is because it is usually very hot in our northern dry season especially at either end and we have plenty of other gear to take on or off the boat without worrying about mast and sails on a hot deck especially the black bits.
Not sure about the length of spreaders but think something like that should be approached with caution especially if it's only to save a few seconds, can see the point in having a quick release pin though as even moving the mast with spreaders above the lifelines? something can catch and did for me causing a broken spreader but now carry a spare as well as spare shrouds and a swaging tool etc.
The above is probaly not essential for us and the wife would be happy to leave the sails at home but like to be prepared.
edit just noticed Mastreb that you don't support your furler on the mast and it has not become distorted in the heat, we have always strapped ours but last year left it laying on the deck and strapped it to the pulpit and it appears the bends from strapping along the mast have dissapeared so will double check when I unfurl to see if that is right.
Boat comes home from having the motor checked out tomorrow and need to move the mast to store it so will check then.
Interestingly found out the motor had done 185 hr's since the new powerhead was fitted instead of the less than 100 I thought amazing how time flies when you are having fun on a hey.

[bartmac]

Our mast travels on a rear mounted arch well above the cockpit ie doesn't interfere with your head and similarly at the bow we have a raised bracket allowing the front hatch to be opened...allows front deck access when boating with mast down...a lot of our boating is on rivers with bridges too low for our mast.All this also means the spreaders don't cause us any hassles.....even our dodger and biminis can be raised with the mast in its travel position.....and as with Boblee makes our mac a caravan

[Sea Wind]

My Mac stays at a marina mast up, so when I tow it means at least 500 miles. I never remove the spreaders or lifelines, here are some of the things that I do as I usually do this alone while wife deals with kids:
1. I made the midsupport pvc piece for the mast which takes most of the weight rather than the mast resting on the spreaders.
2. When moving the mast back and forth, I put the base of the mast over my shoulder that gives me a good angle for the spreaders to go over the stanchions
3. I disconnect the backstay from the Johnson lever and use zip ties for standing and running rigging.
4. The furler rests over a 1x6x6 piece of treated wood attached with bungee cords. Later it either stays in the tow beast or tied to the trailer
5. Boom and mainsail tack attached with clevis pin
6. Lazy jacks attach to sail pack with carabiners
7. Topping lift attached with snap hook. Topping lift also wraps halyards, and lazy jacks around mast
8. Babystays are lines (not wires) that stay connected at all times
9. I still use the screws for the furler and mast base and the old school mast raising system except that I use the mainsheet instead of running a line to the winch. Basically, it is as lifting the mast by hand but pulling the line rather than the winch lifting the mast, this way I can stop anytime and the mast does not come down but it is a lot faster than turning the winch 300 times.

It usually takes two beers which I think means 30 minutes
Pedro

[Hamin' X]

[mastreb]

Boblee is correct--Were I actually going between cities, I would certainly strap things down a lot more than I do just moving my boat around in town. I'd likely remove the furler completely and put it below decks for any long haul.

[DaveB]

I am much to late replying but will give it a Shot.
Takes my girlfriend and I 15 min. to launch the boat from the time I am at boat ramp.
The bent cruch is suppose to be that way and you use the side arms to tru boat mast underway (make sure the bent side is faceing aft to thru bolt)
All rigging is attached including Roller furler ( roller furler extends past mast when lowered by 3 ft. you need a 5 ft. wood dowel to bungiee it to the mast for support trailering.
You need a Johnson quick release on backstay to allow a 2-1/2 inch slack to pin the headstay.
When you raise mast have all standing rigging clear.
As you slide mast aft you need to tip speader and shift mast to side to clear Lifeline than move mast aft.
Raise mast, one person on Deck hatch, other holding Roller furler, raise it than have person on deck come forward and pull down on headstay to help pin it.
Take boom out of cabin that already has Mainsail attached. Hook up Boom bolt and slide on the sail track.
Hook up Topping lift and secure Johnson backstay.
Put on Bimmini and Sheet lines and for aft dock lines and your ready to go.
Most of our time is taking off the 15 ball bungies holding sail and lines in place, Takes same time to haul out and on the road.
We have the M Gin pole and only used it once, takes to much time.
If I was to single hand a launch it would take me 40 min. useing the Gin pole and other things that a 2 person can do much easier.
Dave

okay, so , the forum just ate the post I spend like 45 mins typing, so now I get to give an abridged version.

I need to reduce the time, and effort needed to set up my mac. It is simply too exhausting and frustrating to do. It leads to other issues down the line, with hurrying at the docks, and stress, ect.

3 issues I want to solve. I am open to other suggestions though.

1) My Crutch is bend, and rotates in such a way as to not really allow you to slide the mast back, you have to lift it up and slide it back a few inches at a time. the roller is not working well, and the crutch is bend at a odd angle. I was think of replacing it with a tower, kinda like a bridge. my 26x (1996 has it behind captains seat.

2) The spreaders go below the life lines when the mast is down, this causes me to do a "swing" of the mast back and forth to get them under, or above the life lines. My lifelines are not detachable, and neither are the spreaders. I was thinking I could use a bow sprit mod of some sort to give a high pole to attach to in the front, so the spreaders are always above the lifelines, or use extendable speakers, or use detachable lifelines. ideas? 1 spreader is already bent, and 1 o the 3 screws is stripped out.

3) the mast raising system. Although I need it, it is he safest way to raise the mast it is a lot of work attaching it , detaching it , and winching and even trying to store it. surely there is a better solution.

ideas?

Kev.

[Tomfoolery]

If I was to single hand a launch it would take me 40 min. using the Gin pole and other things that a 2 person can do much easier.

I think this has a lot to do with how long it takes me. I have to do it alone.

But I'm taking a lot of good things from these posts, and hopefully I can cut the rigging time down a lot with practice. I want to get the time down enough that it's feasible to visit some of the local Finger Lakes for a day sail, and not have to spend the night simply because I'm so slow that it chews up all the sailing time.

[Phil M]

If you were to single-hand, you most likely would not just do a day sail. Setting up and taking down takes too much time for one person to get any enjoyment out of the day.
After reading all the posts, the only mod I have NOT done is to improve that stupid roller on the mast crutch. Maybe some day

[Tomfoolery]

. . . the only mod I have NOT done is to improve that stupid roller on the mast crutch. Maybe some day

I made a new roller (there's a thread on it somewhere) out of Starboard, and it's soooo much easier to handle the mast. I can't believe MacGregor used that dopey rubber-hubbed roller.

I may make some this winter and offer them for cost (no labor - I just like turning, and have been doing it for 45 years), but I'll have to talk to the mods before going public with it.

[K9Kampers]

If you were to single-hand, you most likely would not just do a day sail. Setting up and taking down takes too much time for one person to get any enjoyment out of the day.

You must say that because in Canada, days are measured in metric, so they're shorter, eh?! I single-hand & daysail, and have gotten more than 14 hours on the water between set-up and take-down. One of my best sailing days in the fall was a two hour run between s/u and t/d.

[Crikey]

Circadian Rhythm. Ours is stronger...

[Boblee]

If you were to single-hand, you most likely would not just do a day sail. Setting up and taking down takes too much time for one person to get any enjoyment out of the day.
After reading all the posts, the only mod I have NOT done is to improve that stupid roller on the mast crutch. Maybe some day

Dunno about it taking longer with only one unless both thinking together, whenever anybody wants to help me I politely (I hope ) decline as it takes longer with two but do occasionally get the wife to unhook one of the inevitable snags, sounds like the forestay can be looser with having the johnston lever because can't see anyway you would hook it up on an unless it was too loose without the pole but the pole doesn't take long anyway.

[Newell]

Probably as cheap, using micro blocks and 1/4" line to set up an adjustable backstay either split or single which obviates the Johnston Lever and allows use of another sail control in addition to a loose backstay for set up. This might even be a better option for the M boat since I'm not sure how a backstay interfaces with the rotating mast.

[Wind Chime]

I always rig by myself, and the rigging time is fairly fast ... it’s putting out all the extra crap that takes the time cushions, dodger, life rings, burgees, cockpit cushions, on and on and on.

We have the adjustable backstay on our X and it works great for loosening the forestay to attach, so no need for a Johnson Lever. And use it a fair bit as a mainsail trim tool.

ps - The M has no backstay.