RF sail line at the top

[dlandersson]

When I launch/splashed my today I noticed (cause I plain forget - too many cooks in the kitchen) that the RF line to pull the Genoa up the RF is at the TOP - ooops.

Other than taking the mast system down, any thoughts on how to reach the line and bring it down?

[Matt19020]

I grabbed my mainsheet line at 30' with 2 long boat hooks and a hanger duct taped together....I know it was just luck but I got it!
I also heard of someone using a fishing hook and a helium balloon but I do not have that kind of patience...
Third option can you dock next to a high pier or another (taller boat) stand on it and grab with a boat hook, it is probably only 20' off the deck and a boat hook should give you at least 8' of reach....Good Luck!

[Whipsyjac]

Put someone under 50lbs in a bosun chair?

Is the ballast in? If not you could use the main Halyard to pull the top of the mast over until the boat heels enough for someone to reach it with a boat hook or fishing rod. There were other threads on this I believe, you could search the forum if no one with a viable idea chimes in.

Specifically what are you trying to reach? Is your Genoa off the furler with no tag line on the RF halyard that rides in the furler?

This totally sounds like something I would do.

Let us know what you do and how it works out

Willy

[Tomfoolery]

Unless I'm thinking of a different furling system, you need a tag line attached to it to pull the genoa up the slot in the foil. Not much you can do other than lower the mast again.

[dlandersson]

Genoa is not on the RF - no way to tie it off and raise it - the tie line is at the top of the RF.

Put someone under 50lbs in a bosun chair?

Is the ballast in? If not you could use the main Halyard to pull the top of the mast over until the boat heels enough for someone to reach it with a boat hook or fishing rod. There were other threads on this I believe, you could search the forum if no one with a viable idea chimes in.

Specifically what are you trying to reach? Is your Genoa off the furler with no tag line on the RF halyard that rides in the furler?

This totally sounds like something I would do.

Let us know what you do and how it works out

Willy

[Whipsyjac]

OK, I understood correctly Luckily I had read enough warnings and attached a tag line but I can see how easy it would be to miss it.

[bwygirl]

The roller furling will have a short line at the top that is used to pull the sail up. This short line should have a tag line attached to it before putting the mast up. Once the sail is up this tag line is removed and you use the short line to put tension on the sail, tying it off at the drum. If you have already put your mast up then just lower the mast and put on the tag line. Just consider it a lesson learned, I would bet most of us have done this once or twice. Don't pull the boat over with the main halyard. The top of the mast is unsupported and you run the risk of breaking the mast by pulling it over with the main halyard. The video shows the factory pulling the boat over but they used many guys and the jib halyard, but if any shroud is not tensioned perfect you will still break the mast. I was there at the factory when they did this once, but stood back a long way. It was very difficult to keep the boat over on it's side for very long, certaintly not long enough to add a line for the jib halyard. Do it the easy way and just use the mast raising system and take the mast down. But the good news is if you do break the mast we have them in stock!

[dlandersson]

Sigh, it's in the slip

The roller furling will have a short line at the top that is used to pull the sail up. This short line should have a tag line attached to it before putting the mast up. Once the sail is up this tag line is removed and you use the short line to put tension on the sail, tying it off at the drum. If you have already put your mast up then just lower the mast and put on the tag line. Just consider it a lesson learned, I would bet most of us have done this once or twice. Don't pull the boat over with the main halyard. The top of the mast is unsupported and you run the risk of breaking the mast by pulling it over with the main halyard. The video shows the factory pulling the boat over but they used many guys and the jib halyard, but if any shroud is not tensioned perfect you will still break the mast. I was there at the factory when they did this once, but stood back a long way. It was very difficult to keep the boat over on it's side for very long, certaintly not long enough to add a line for the jib halyard. Do it the easy way and just use the mast raising system and take the mast down. But the good news is if you do break the mast we have them in stock!

[Whipsyjac]

BWYgirl,

Thanks for the info, I definitely won't give that advice again

DLAndersson, I had my boat repaired away from home and had to have it hauled out and trailered. We took the rig down on the water and stepped the mast and put everything back ready to go on the water, it's not that bad with the ballast in and a few helpers. Last year we needed to beat the tide to launch the boat so we dumped it in and rigged it at dockside with 3 adults and again not too bad.

I don't have an MRS(but I do have an admiral ) so we usually use the jib halyard to an adult ahead of the bow for extra help and support, one person(me)on the cabin top to lift the mast, and one or two people to untangle shrouds or lines that get caught on things. Having the backstay undone and someone pulling the jib halyard really helps with pinning the forestay.

It may seem daunting but its very doable,

Willy

[Loala]

I have some sort of a shackle/halyard clip with a screw end to clip and unclip the RF to the top of the mast otherwise everything is permanently affixed.

Not sure why one would need to remove and reattach the jenny often. I even travel with the whole RF system attached to the mast.

[dlandersson]

The RF is fine - the line to raise the Genoa to the top is at the wrong end - the top.

I have some sort of a shackle/halyard clip with a screw end to clip and unclip the RF to the top of the mast otherwise everything is permanently affixed.

Not sure why one would need to remove and reattach the jenny often. I even travel with the whole RF system attached to the mast.

[dlandersson]

My boat's PO had the "mast raising system. I just looked it over, and it seems to be complete. Other than the owners manual, anyone have an pictures, viode, youtube on using it? I might as well make this into a silver lining and learn how to use it.

I have some sort of a shackle/halyard clip with a screw end to clip and unclip the RF to the top of the mast otherwise everything is permanently affixed.

Not sure why one would need to remove and reattach the jenny often. I even travel with the whole RF system attached to the mast.

[DaveC426913]

My boat's PO had the "mast raising system. I just looked it over, and it seems to be complete. Other than the owners manual, anyone have an pictures, viode, youtube on using it? I might as well make this into a silver lining and learn how to use it.

I find it very handy. I can raise and lower the mast single-handed in my slip.

Take it nice and slow and you should be able to sort out everything as you go. Major steps are:
- set mast crutch in slot on helm
- attach baby stays on mast
- mast raising pole mounted at foot of mast (it should always be near perpendicular to the mast, so when the mast is vertical, the pole should be almost horizontal)
- attach jib halyard on to top ring of mast raising pole end
- attach mainsheet block (both are 4:1 ratio) from bottom of mast raising pole end to ring on deck aft of fwd hatch
- disconnect your radio wires to the mast so you don't rip them out
- you MAY have to disconnect the boom at the gooseneck

So, you can tension the mainsheet with its locking cleat, and now you can detach the forestay at your leisure.
Lower nice and slow onto the crutch.
Make sure your shroud shackles don't get twisted.

Nice thing is, you can stop and lock the sheet part way, and check that everything's working and free.
But the closer you get to down, the less useful the babystays will be. Your mast can swing side-to-side easier as you get near horizontal. So not a good place to stop.

[dlandersson]

Just did this today - quite impressed with myself.

Note: My baby stays came mounted and I never took them off - so there could be some confusion about "putting on baby stays" - they were already there.

Tried the Jib halyard and found the mainsail halyard worked better (for whatever reason).

Anyone successfuly put a small trailer winch on the MRS pole? How is it secured?

.

My boat's PO had the "mast raising system. I just looked it over, and it seems to be complete. Other than the owners manual, anyone have an pictures, viode, youtube on using it? I might as well make this into a silver lining and learn how to use it.

I find it very handy. I can raise and lower the mast single-handed in my slip.

Take it nice and slow and you should be able to sort out everything as you go. Major steps are:
- set mast crutch in slot on helm
- attach baby stays on mast
- mast raising pole mounted at foot of mast (it should always be near perpendicular to the mast, so when the mast is vertical, the pole should be almost horizontal)
- attach jib halyard on to top ring of mast raising pole end
- attach mainsheet block (both are 4:1 ratio) from bottom of mast raising pole end to ring on deck aft of fwd hatch
- disconnect your radio wires to the mast so you don't rip them out
- you MAY have to disconnect the boom at the gooseneck

So, you can tension the mainsheet with its locking cleat, and now you can detach the forestay at your leisure.
Lower nice and slow onto the crutch.
Make sure your shroud shackles don't get twisted.

Nice thing is, you can stop and lock the sheet part way, and check that everything's working and free.
But the closer you get to down, the less useful the babystays will be. Your mast can swing side-to-side easier as you get near horizontal. So not a good place to stop.