MacGregorSailors.com

This is a post I made on a thread about mast raising problems.

Cat,

I appreciate the response, but, outside of Craig, I have not seen (at least that I remember) anyone say that they have an M and rig the boat in under an hour. Many X owners do it, but not M owners. Again, that I remember. So, when I read this, I really want to know how. I am an eager learner.

Thanks to you and Chip for that leveraged info of where to stand when sliding the mast.

This is a call to ALL M owners. Post your average time to rig your boat. Don't be embarrassed. It takes me an hour and a half, minimum. I admit it. That's why I am in a slip . Let's hear what YOUR timing is......... Mine stinks

Ray

I read about how quickly X owners rig their boat when trailering, but not really from any M owners. I'd like to hear from (so to speak) you guys/gals who own an M. How long does it take you to rig your boat, and visa versa.

I freely admit it, I stink at it It takes me a minimum of an hour and a half. I am reading tips to make the job faster, and I am going to use them, but under an hour? So far I have read of only one person who has done it that quickly, and I am envious. How far out of whack am I? What are your times? Solo, and with help

Let's hear from you! I'm salty enough to take it

Ray

Now I am old and out of shape - - - but it takes me over two hours to unrig and two more to rig - - -so I don't do it anymore.

Rick

Are you talking about from the time that you arrive at the ramp to get it into the water or just steping the mast?

For our 04 M -

from when I start til I am launch ready - fastest time 35 minutes. to break down, 30 minutes. 99.9% of the time I do it solo. I do it without quick pins ( Use all factory nut and bolts). I do plan on getting quickpins for a few things I think to speed it up.

Average time about 45-50 minutes depending on weather and chatting

From the time you start, to the time you are ready to put her in the water. The whole shebang James!

Ray

i rig it the same way as i sail. Very relaxed, slow and safe. However, i still do it in an hour. Add 10 mins for launching. I just have the standard hardware: no CDI. With mast raising kit.

I could streamline to perhaps 50 mins from driving in the water to leaving the dock...maybe. But why rush? The majority of damage that seems to happen to boats on this forum is during docking, trailering and rigging/derigging, not installing backup and safety systems, etc.

Agree???

From highway to floating in an hour by myself, and visa versa. About 35 minutes with a helper. I do admit that I’ve created a checklist that makes every movement count and keeps the process safe and complete, and, I’ve replaced many of the standard hardware with snap shackles and quick release pins.

---Harrison

Haven't actually timed myself, but I know we were around an hour the first few times. I know I've gotten faster at the rigging/de-rigging, but have been using a monorail that requires me to drop (okay, set gently) the mast down right on to the deck. Slower, but more convenient.

All I know is that there's a lot of stays that can get twisted, lines on the wrong side of blocks, etc. that it's very easy to take longer by trying to rush through it. However, we've also chosen to moor for 6 mths of the year.

Regards,
Shane

Ray, Great Post!!
I have only done it a few times but my experience is about 1 hour. If I was somewhat ready when I left the house (sails on furler and boom).
I would say my best time to derig is about 35 minutes... I am usually in a hurry because I stayed out too late! ....but it is a little sloppy.
I have 2 years expierience with setup and derigging from my previous boat (19' Flying Scot) so that helps me somewhat.
If I was a little more organized I could prabably shave 10 to 15 minutes off but I never like to "rush" the rigging and would always be prepared to spend at LEAST 1 3/4 hours on it.
I have watched the "Speedy Rigger" video that is available and think it is a good concept and visual aid....but would not feel comfortable rigging it that quick.

On a side note:
One mod I want to do before this season is to put pelican hooks on the lifelines forward of the cockpit stantions so that I can release the lines to allow the spreaders to drop down to the deck without being tangled....This seems to be my biggest issue so far.....I have created a few new words for this process....!@#$%.....!@#$% .....I just tell the Admiral it is a "technical term" and not to be worried.......

Alone, it takes me 1 to 1-1/2 hours with a CDI furler and quick release pins. No sense in rushing and fail to have everything fastened properly. I am sure it can probably be done in around 35 to 45 minutes if rushing (i.e. working up a sweat). I keep the 'M' in a slip and trailer it once a year to somewhere else. I also have a 15' West Wight Potter that I trailer alot, to a nearby lake. It takes about 35 to 45 minutes to rig it. Again, no rushing around. I have done it in 15 to 20 when I had to. I ratchet the boats to the trailers for safety and double up many loose ends which is probably what takes me the extra time. And I test a few things so I do not have any 'adjustments' to make out on the water.

I stored my boat mast up and it usually took me over an hour to put everything in the boat but I was going on a 3+ week cruise so I did put in a lot and had CLEAN up to do.

But I was in no rush.

One hour for me also, during the first season with the Admirals help. No extra stuff in the first year, just a hank-on jib and depth sounder. It only took the Admiral one season to decide/insist on a slip. Funny thing is, it is mostly perception because it still takes a while to get under way even from a slip. There seems to be a lot of preparation and we have to haul from the truck at the parking lot, down the ramp, along the dock out to the finger with the wheelbarrow. Previously most of the stuff was loaded into the boat in the driveway. Still the slip is more fun and convenient.

Over the years Ive both slipped and trailered - we used the boat much more when slipped of course, but prepping for the week long trips was a pain I found. The solution for the quick weekend sailing fixes was an Island 17 day sailor which we rig from trailer to departure in 10 minutes.

Since then Ive only trailed our but once the girls are old enough to go on their own I will slip again....thats another 5 years or so.

From the time I get a space in the yard to set up to when I jump back in the 'burban to head to the launch ramp is 35 minutes, 45 if I have "help." I will say that all my stuff is in the boat before I leave home. Possibly the one thing that takes the longest is getting the boom mounted and the main slugs in the mast. I just purchased some clips to replace the original bolts that held the boom on, that should cut 2 tools and 2 or 3 minutes off my rigging time. I do not have any boom kicker or other extra hardware to mess with. I even got rid of the nylocks on the rudder bolts, I just leave enough slack on the rudder lines so they stay in by themselves. At the other end I use an extra long pin to hold the forestay in place, it's the little things that slow you up.

It always took me about an hour If all went well.
Plus driving to the marina... 1.5 hours.
So I didn't do much sailing.The weekends were tough.
So many boaters wanting me to hurry up.
On really hot days I had to sit down and have a drink b4 I launched.
I am 72 so it isn't as easy as it was.
Well enough of that .I got a slip and now it takes me no time at all.
I enjoy going out during the week when there is no one around.
Now that is the way to go. Good luck......Tony