Mast Raising Advice?
new mast rasing system.
I think I did the same mod on my boat... I bought a M raising system for an X. I took the mast mount and measured as far up as I knew I could reach. (way better leverage) I drilled carefully on each side of the mast making sure your not drilling through your mast light wire. I hooked the mast rasing system to the forward cleat and the mast and it works great, last along time!!! If anyone has the old X system, well... mine is in the shed fixing someday to be a boat anchor and I really like the M system.
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ALX357
- Admiral
- Posts: 1231
- Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2004 6:09 am
- Location: Nashville TN -- 2000 MacGregor 26X, Mercury two-stroke 50hp
Duane,
The extra adjuster at the front is for added leverage, and provides a spare if needed, and the extra ones on the furler extension side are for raising the Genny. Good idea you have of drilling the pins for tethers, I actually tried that, but gave up. The pins seemed really hard, hardened, and I figured it would wear out the drill bit before getting thru. Maybe I'll have another "go" at it.
That thick shackle that shares pinning with the adjuster lever in the rear chainplate hole - I use it for attaching the auxiliary jib wire to, when using a hank-on sail, while leaving the Genny furled in front of it.
The extra adjuster at the front is for added leverage, and provides a spare if needed, and the extra ones on the furler extension side are for raising the Genny. Good idea you have of drilling the pins for tethers, I actually tried that, but gave up. The pins seemed really hard, hardened, and I figured it would wear out the drill bit before getting thru. Maybe I'll have another "go" at it.
That thick shackle that shares pinning with the adjuster lever in the rear chainplate hole - I use it for attaching the auxiliary jib wire to, when using a hank-on sail, while leaving the Genny furled in front of it.
hi,
I didn't buy mast raising system when I ordered my boat. Now I think I should have. I was going to order one from the factory but shipping costs made it too expensive, over 400 USD. So I decided to make my own version.
It looks quite simple system. The only thing which might be critical is the length of baby stays. Could someone measure them?
If not too much trouble I would like to see some better pictures of the system.
Has anyone thought of having electric winch? How about using trailer winch?
BR,
-arto
I didn't buy mast raising system when I ordered my boat. Now I think I should have. I was going to order one from the factory but shipping costs made it too expensive, over 400 USD. So I decided to make my own version.
It looks quite simple system. The only thing which might be critical is the length of baby stays. Could someone measure them?
If not too much trouble I would like to see some better pictures of the system.
Has anyone thought of having electric winch? How about using trailer winch?
BR,
-arto
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tangentair
- Admiral
- Posts: 1234
- Joined: Mon Jan 22, 2007 11:59 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Highland Park, IL ...07M...Merc 50 BF...Mila K
Having spent considerable time raising, and lowering and raising then lowering, then raising then lowering the mast last weekend to untangle some lines from the standing rigging, I came to the following conclusions.
It is a great safety measure when you inadvertently take the forestay loose without a good grip or someone supporting the mast upright no matter how many people are standing around.
There is a supportable argument for putting snap locks on both ends of the wire stays, and three layers of shrink tubing on the U and a cap nut with lock tight on the bolt so that it can stay permanently mounted to the mast.
The length of the "baby stays" is going to be dependant upon the height of the U bolt attachment if the holes are not already predrilled. While it could be easily duplicated, I would want to use a winch similiar to the one used - in other words one that under tension raises and lowers by cranking - you would not want it to free wheel in one direction.
It is a great safety measure when you inadvertently take the forestay loose without a good grip or someone supporting the mast upright no matter how many people are standing around.
There is a supportable argument for putting snap locks on both ends of the wire stays, and three layers of shrink tubing on the U and a cap nut with lock tight on the bolt so that it can stay permanently mounted to the mast.
The length of the "baby stays" is going to be dependant upon the height of the U bolt attachment if the holes are not already predrilled. While it could be easily duplicated, I would want to use a winch similiar to the one used - in other words one that under tension raises and lowers by cranking - you would not want it to free wheel in one direction.
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ALX357
- Admiral
- Posts: 1231
- Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2004 6:09 am
- Location: Nashville TN -- 2000 MacGregor 26X, Mercury two-stroke 50hp
I have a dedicated mast-to gin-pole line, with its own stainless stirrup shackle and mast block, double cleated on the mast near the base. It is adjustable in working lenght, although it is always used at the same length. I guess I leave it full line length to have a spare halyard on hand, already -sheeved at the jib-head.
Then a three-to-two Harken block set with jam cleat, rigged for the raising line. It is actually a mainsheet rig, so plenty strong. I stand at the bow, and raise the mast, watching its shrouds etc. If anything hangs up, I can run aft and fix any hung-up shrouds etc. and trust that the heavy duty Harken tackle and 3-to-one holding power will keep it at any angle I stop at. If on the water, I just cleat the free end to an anchor cleat, leaving it also in the jam cleat of the Harken.
One other problem I solved was the difficulty of moving the mast base that last few inches in the step, to the holes. Leaving the tight baby stays attached all the time, makes it a tougher job to move the mast base back and handle the pin simultaneously. So I now use the boom vang block and tackle to help. The block end is shackled to the rear cabin stanchion base, that thinner angled support member, and the business end of the tackle goes to the vang bail at the mast base. Then I can use the extra pulling power and jam-cleat hold to inch the mast base back to where it is lined up with the holes and pin it, using a plain unthreaded quick-pin, and ring-dings.
Then a three-to-two Harken block set with jam cleat, rigged for the raising line. It is actually a mainsheet rig, so plenty strong. I stand at the bow, and raise the mast, watching its shrouds etc. If anything hangs up, I can run aft and fix any hung-up shrouds etc. and trust that the heavy duty Harken tackle and 3-to-one holding power will keep it at any angle I stop at. If on the water, I just cleat the free end to an anchor cleat, leaving it also in the jam cleat of the Harken.
One other problem I solved was the difficulty of moving the mast base that last few inches in the step, to the holes. Leaving the tight baby stays attached all the time, makes it a tougher job to move the mast base back and handle the pin simultaneously. So I now use the boom vang block and tackle to help. The block end is shackled to the rear cabin stanchion base, that thinner angled support member, and the business end of the tackle goes to the vang bail at the mast base. Then I can use the extra pulling power and jam-cleat hold to inch the mast base back to where it is lined up with the holes and pin it, using a plain unthreaded quick-pin, and ring-dings.
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Phillip
- First Officer
- Posts: 330
- Joined: Fri Nov 26, 2004 11:49 pm
- Location: Sunshine Coast Australia 2000 26X Tohatsu 50hp
Thank you everybody for your suggestions and assistance, especially those first few posts that related directly to my question.....mind you, I have learnt heaps from the other posts too....that's whats great about you blokes.
My mast raising pole was at 10 o'clock because the rope was 'short', so i will fix that. Works OK tho.
Niceaft: no the clouds bought nothing. Told the wife to let me worry about the drought, and to get on with her 'area'. Overheard the kids referring to me as 'grumpy-bum' so the pressure it is putting on me must be showing. Our water situation is critical and as growers, well it is our 'life'. This is our 7th yr of it now. We'll get there tho.
Cheers
Phillip
My mast raising pole was at 10 o'clock because the rope was 'short', so i will fix that. Works OK tho.
Niceaft: no the clouds bought nothing. Told the wife to let me worry about the drought, and to get on with her 'area'. Overheard the kids referring to me as 'grumpy-bum' so the pressure it is putting on me must be showing. Our water situation is critical and as growers, well it is our 'life'. This is our 7th yr of it now. We'll get there tho.
Cheers
Phillip
RE IMPORT TO AUSTRALIA
Phillip any chance of you emailing me your details so l can contact you as l am in the process of bringing in a 26m and any helpful info would be great.
thanks
thanks
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johnnyonspot
- First Officer
- Posts: 441
- Joined: Thu Oct 06, 2005 9:19 pm
- Location: Elk River, MN.
I procured a MRS for a 26M from someone on this board who had an extra and then installed a D-ring on the mast as far up as I could reach. This works just fine for me and no danger of any cleats pulling out. Only thing I lack is a way to attach the bottom of the MRS to the deck, so I have been resting it against the step and holding it there as I crank. No problems with it yet, though I would like to figure out a way to make a base for it. I guess I just need to get off my posterior and do it as it would not be difficult I am sure.
Mast Raising system
Hi:
Your posts were very informative. On Jedaro we have used the mast raising system plus Speedy riggers running up the mast himself. We first close the hatch top and Diane operates the port winch. As the halyard upto the jib tensions and the mast lifts off I usually place my shoulder under the mast and walk it up. After 45 degrees I can usually push the mast up to near vertical with little effort. Since we are both over 60 and have 'senior moments' or 'extreme brain cramps' I can easily support the mast if she forgets to clamp down on the line while she checks for any snags in the stern halyard etc..
The sudden sound of the winch playing out and the mast falling is not catastrophic as I have my skull and shoulder for the mast to rest on. We then get our act back together as she tightens up the mast, secures it and I grab the furler and go to the bow to easily support the pin and ringding (providing I have my bifocals on)-otherwise its a little more difficult and the task is easily accomplished. Like Duane in an earlier post we sometimes leave our mast raising system on for quick setup as we leave locks and go into a sailing mode.
Enjoy the rest of your summer. So far this year we have travelled for a short trip on the Temisking waterway on the Upper Ottawa River-beautifulhttp://www.temiskawa.com/navpage-e.htm
We hope to travel the Thousand Islands and Rideau Canal during early September The Rideau Canal is celebrating 175 years of continuous operation and has been recognized as a UN World Heritage Site.
http://www.rideau-info.com/canal/
Mike Purdy
Jedaro
Your posts were very informative. On Jedaro we have used the mast raising system plus Speedy riggers running up the mast himself. We first close the hatch top and Diane operates the port winch. As the halyard upto the jib tensions and the mast lifts off I usually place my shoulder under the mast and walk it up. After 45 degrees I can usually push the mast up to near vertical with little effort. Since we are both over 60 and have 'senior moments' or 'extreme brain cramps' I can easily support the mast if she forgets to clamp down on the line while she checks for any snags in the stern halyard etc..
The sudden sound of the winch playing out and the mast falling is not catastrophic as I have my skull and shoulder for the mast to rest on. We then get our act back together as she tightens up the mast, secures it and I grab the furler and go to the bow to easily support the pin and ringding (providing I have my bifocals on)-otherwise its a little more difficult and the task is easily accomplished. Like Duane in an earlier post we sometimes leave our mast raising system on for quick setup as we leave locks and go into a sailing mode.Enjoy the rest of your summer. So far this year we have travelled for a short trip on the Temisking waterway on the Upper Ottawa River-beautifulhttp://www.temiskawa.com/navpage-e.htm
We hope to travel the Thousand Islands and Rideau Canal during early September The Rideau Canal is celebrating 175 years of continuous operation and has been recognized as a UN World Heritage Site.
http://www.rideau-info.com/canal/
Mike Purdy
Jedaro