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Rob

That's interesting about your mast. I'm curious on a number of points:-

1 What "gave way" exactly - the deck fitting? the mast tangs at the top? or what?

2 How would an extra rope help? Do you mean you would have 2 mast lowering kits working at the same time? I suppose that could be made to work - I have sometimes thought about such a back up but dismissed it as a bit of overkill (but it wouldn't be overkill if a failure does occur and it stops the mast coming down )

3 Where did you get your mast - MacGregor UK in Falmouth? Bastonjock has written here about his woes in getting the adapted M mast to fit his X. Did you get a similar M mast?

Sorry to fire the questions at you - just curious
Mike

Also, Jez has an which has a different mast raising system.

Just thought I would mention it.

Cheers,
Jim

Mike,

the deck fitting gave way, I had two deck fittings so I installed the 4-1 purchase on the wrong on as it turns out. Pulled it right out of the deck, mast snapped across the y-piece. I replaced the original bracket next to the anchor locker with a bigger one.

I have one mast raising system, (26X), although I am thinking up modifying to the 26M style. I use the spare halyard & tie it off to the mast & have a friend hold onto that one as the back up line, if anything failed on the mast raising side.

I received the mast from Macgregor UK & went through a few months of tortue with the insurance & the dealer, BastonJock has a different version of the 26M mast, so I am led to believe by MacUK, so he experianced different problems, that I did not. This is in another post, we do not want to detract from the inaugral sail of Jez & Emma.

I am very wary of the mast raising kit, its a bit light for my liking, I will replace the pole & install a nice winch over the winter, I think I will anyway.

Robbiebull...could you better describe the " support lug" that gave way and allowed the mast to fall? Was it where the rope from the top of the winch leads to the bow? I always use both of the mooring cleats with the line passung under and around both and a bowline knot. The rope supplied by MACS just possibly could break so the idea of a secondary line...just in case...is a good one.
There is a new type of rope on the market called DYNEMA, and comes in two sizes. The breaking strain is 15oo kgs and more. It has next to no stretch and is now used on power boat winches for retrieval...marvellous stuff.

Well, we made it into the water - Jez took to the motoring and 'parked' first time, both times - the numerous helping hands on the pontoon willing to catch ropes and help was gratefully recieved. A brilliant atmosphere.

We were so happy with the handling (once the daggerboard was down) that we ventured out of the harbour...

Now to kit out the boat!!!!

Well done! The entrance to Brighton marina isn't the most user friendly. A friend of mine got his boat stuck in the shallow bit on his maiden trip - a passing power boat pulled him off

Mike

well done guys

Well done guys,

excellent effort, my first time out the harbour was with the daggerboard up, hence the collision with the pier under the watchful eye of the local council !! Good to hear that there are plenty willing hands on the pontoon

Rob

Robbiebull...could you better describe the " support lug" that gave way and allowed the mast to fall?

Sounds like the Hasp for the anchor locker.