Raising Mast - alone

[Tomfoolery]

I couldn't say without seeing the originals, but they don't seem all that flimsy to me, given the load they support, which is around 400 lb (compression) plus impact (like bouncing the mast).

[Johnacuda]

..... A SANE person will spring for the mast raising system of course.

When I used the mast-raising-system to lower the mast recently, the piece of metal which makes up the starboard arm of the fork through which the bolt passes to hold the mast-raising-system to the mast step, bent and collapsed. As a result, the mast lowered to the starboard side, angled about 30 degrees laterally from the stern and thus hanging over the starboard lifeline. It was challenging to swing the mast across to its support bracket at the stern. There was a modest breeze blowing from the port quarter at the time; and this may have predisposed to the failure of the mast-raising-system fork; but I was more than a bit surprised and distressed at the possible bad outcomes.

I wonder if BWY sells replacement bits for the mast-raising-system (the 'fork' through which the single bolt passes to hold it to the mast step is made up of two metal 'ears' bolted to the lower end of the mast-raising-system).

Kittiwake

I always make sure to have the baby-stays bolted to the mast/deck and appropriately tensioned when raising/lowering . this prevents the mast from drifting too far to the side if there is any wind. If they weren't included with your boat, you might want think about adding them.

[Kittiwake]

...... I always make sure to have the baby-stays bolted to the mast/deck and appropriately tensioned when raising/lowering . this prevents the mast from drifting too far to the side if there is any wind. If they weren't included with your boat, you might want think about adding them.

I do always use these. Whether they were properly tensioned ... hmm ... well they came with seemingly-appropriately-fixed length. I must admit, I didn't critically consider the possibility that I could snug up the baby stays a tad.
Thanks, tk, for the encouraging info about replacement parts. As a frequent non-user of the mast, I was definitely unsettled by this event - standing all alone on the deck, eyes bulging, thinking 'good grief, does this happen often?'
Kittiwake

[81venture]

I cheated... I "replaced" the large mast with a smaller mast from a sunfish type boat.
one man operation, easy to duck under the bridges

But then I'm crazy anyway

[J Drabble]

I had a welder straighten my slightly bend mast raising tangs (bent from purchase) and then add a stainless 1 x 1/8" cross support joining the two tangs. No problem after three years and NO cost! Nice welder. Jim

[Crikey]

I had a welder straighten my slightly bend mast raising tangs (bent from purchase) and then add a stainless 1 x 1/8" cross support joining the two tangs. No problem after three years and NO cost! Nice welder. Jim

Jim, pardon the off subject but I just had to pick myself up off the floor!

Nobody, and I mean nobody has my last name!!! Your country of origin?

Ross