26M Mast Base Questions

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45Plus+
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26M Mast Base Questions

Post by 45Plus+ »

Hello

I was in the process of raising the mast on my 2011 26M when I ran into a bit of trouble. As I raised the mast, as it neared vertical, it tipped forward past vertical (or so it seemed from my position at the mast winch) and leaned forward to the port side. I caught the mast and forced it back over vertical but as it was a gusty day I elected to lower it and wait for a calm day to try again.

All the mast shrouds were in place - installed as per the photo in the Mac26 user manual (though I noted the text in the instructions said to install pins in 3rd hole of the shroud fittings and the photo shows the pin in the 4th - I went with the 4th....). The winch had its side stays in place. So there seemed to be nothing I was doing counter mast raising instructions.

When I lowered the mast, I had a look at the base (photo below) and found the washers have a lot of play (see the way they have room to fan out with the mast down). Is this normal? does the bolt through the washers need to be tightened up a bit to take up that slack (but not too tight so the mast can pivot).

Also, I noted that the mast is held about a half inch or so up off the base plate by the bolt fitting so this would seem to allow the mast to rock forward and aft on its supporting plate. You can see the gap on the left side of the photo. Is this normal? will the shrouds, once tuned/tightened hold the mast in place (balanced on the supporting pin)? I am tempted to use the topping lift (or some extension of it) to provide a temporary backstay/safety function next time the mast goes up - ie to prevent it from leaning past vertical in the forward direction

Any insights would be appreciated before I try to haul the mast up again.
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Jimmyt
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Re: 26M Mast Base Questions

Post by Jimmyt »

45Plus+ wrote: Thu Jun 05, 2025 8:32 am Hello

I was in the process of raising the mast on my 2011 26M when I ran into a bit of trouble. As I raised the mast, as it neared vertical, it tipped forward past vertical (or so it seemed from my position at the mast winch) and leaned forward to the port side. I caught the mast and forced it back over vertical but as it was a gusty day I elected to lower it and wait for a calm day to try again.

All the mast shrouds were in place - installed as per the photo in the Mac26 user manual (though I noted the text in the instructions said to install pins in 3rd hole of the shroud fittings and the photo shows the pin in the 4th - I went with the 4th....). The winch had its side stays in place. So there seemed to be nothing I was doing counter mast raising instructions.
Covering the last part first, the mast base doesn’t hold the mast vertical. I would take the slop out. But it needs to be loose enough to turn freely (rotating mast). It’s basically there to pin the bottom horizontally.

Your shrouds are not set up properly from the sound of things. As you approach vertical, the shrouds should support the mast vertically, and stop it from coming too far forward. With your mast raising winch tight, it should be challenging to pin the forestay.

Was the boat on a virtually flat surface? If not, that can add to the difficulty of raising the mast. Ditto windy conditions. Further, the mast raising rig shrouds are not directly connected to the mast, allowing for some play in the mast unto you get it high enough for the shrouds to catch it - which is close to vertical.

I wouldn’t trust the photo to be correct on any boat, much less an older boat. No telling if the standing rigging is even original.

This is where mine are (just to prove a point):

Image

You need to get on a flat surface without wind, and set up your standing rigging. If the stern is low, that’s ok, but very close to flat from side to side. I’m assuming that is all in good shape - no corrosion or fraying. I would tighten up at least two holes on each shroud and raise the mast to see where you are. If it looks like you’re going vertical, tighten them up some more. I’m assuming you have the factory raising rig with a brake winch. This will allow you to gradually adjust your shrouds to get your mast vertical from side to side and get the correct fore/aft rake. So, you’ll need a level, tape measure, and a friend or two wouldn’t hurt. It sounds like you’ve got the manual, but if not, it’s in the forum resources area.

Shoot some pics of your raising rig, and where the raising shrouds are attached at the mast. Mine were attached to the snap carabiner that attaches to the mast bale - which allowed too much movement for my tastes.
Jimmyt
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2013 26M, Etec 60, roller Genoa, roller main
Cruising Waters: Mobile Bay, Western Shore, Fowl River
45Plus+
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Re: 26M Mast Base Questions

Post by 45Plus+ »

Thanks for the reply Jimmy.

Yes, the boat was on a very flat surface so no concerns there. A blustery wind had popped up while I was reading things to go up - blowing from aft to forward so that did not help.

Yes, I have the factory mast raising winch and it was installed as per instructions in the manual. The winch's stays attach to the bowline loop at the end of the winch line and that loop is attached to the mast by a shackle.

I will tighten up the shroud adjustment on the top shrouds - which being run through the backward sweeping spreaders would seem to offer the most resistance to forward movement as compared to the lower shrouds. Like you suggest, I will gradually loosen the shrouds to inch the mast towards vertical. BTW, from what I can see from your photo, your shroud adjusters look like they are pinned at the same point as shown in the photo in the M26 manual. It will be interesting to see if my pinning points deviate much from this once I get things in place.

Thanks for the thought on the looseness of the washers... I will see if I can tighten the bolt at the bottom of the mast base assembly a bit but leaving some allowance to allow the mast to rotate.

Your insights are really useful.

Cheers

Duncan
aka 45Plus
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Jimmyt
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Re: 26M Mast Base Questions

Post by Jimmyt »

45Plus+ wrote: Thu Jun 05, 2025 8:16 pm
I BTW, from what I can see from your photo, your shroud adjusters look like they are pinned at the same point as shown in the photo in the M26 manual. It will be interesting to see if my pinning points deviate much from this once I get things in place.
Duncan,

The 2007 and later manuals show them pinned in the 4th hole. Mine are pinned in 3rd and 2nd holes. Sorry that the photo was not clearer.
Jimmyt
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2013 26M, Etec 60, roller Genoa, roller main
Cruising Waters: Mobile Bay, Western Shore, Fowl River
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Russ
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Re: 26M Mast Base Questions

Post by Russ »

I can't add much more to Jimmy's post.

I replaced the washers on the base with a thrust bearing from BWY. It allows for better rotation under load than those brass washers that can have friction.

https://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/3435-1m0.htm

The mast base has that long 9/16" bolt that does most of the work. Remove that bolt and you can remove the base to tighten the washers (that look too loose). Lube them while at it. Then reinstall the base. Don't tighen that 9/16" bolt too tight or it will pinch/squeeze the mast.
Mine also has a small Phillips screw to keep the base from moving. I lost the screw and it doesn't seem to matter much.

As Jimmy mentioned, pinning the forestay should be difficult. I usually have the mast raising winch tight and sometimes have a helper pull the forestay (with furlers stuffs) down as I pin the stay. Then, once the stay is pinned, release the M.R.S. and it tightens up.

The hardest part of raising the mast for me is keeping the stays clear and free. Something always gets caught and often those little turnbuckle thingies will get twisted. Sometimes the shackle on the mast hound gets twisted too. Having another set of eyes watching for those things helps.

It probably doesn't matter much, but my "baby stays" attaches to the mast hound through the shackle. This eliminates some slack in them. Although last time I bent the shackle pin because I used the wrong kind of shackle.
--Russ
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Re: 26M Mast Base Questions

Post by 45Plus+ »

Thanks Russ. I actually have the BWY mast bearing so I think I will remove the washers and install it now. Presumably the same rule applies when tightening up the mast bolt - don't overtighten and compress the bearing. We'll see how it goes.

I agree that keeping everything clear while raising the mast requires patience and attention. I have wondered why the stays for the MRS connect to the bowline of the MRS winch line instead of directly to the shackle - I just assumed there is experience and knowledge behind that decision so will stick with it for now. I am now just waiting for a calmer day to get back at it.
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