Date: 8/21/2006
Name: KF Hatmaker
email: kelly.hatmaker@cbsradio.com
subject:Re: single-handed mast stepping
(pardon if my terminology is sketchy) What you'll need: carabinier, 15'-20'of line, and a small pulley from West Marine or other sail shop.1) Tie line to carabinier, then clip it to the jib haliyard. Pin the pulley through the hole behind the forestay clip at the bow.
2) Run line through the pulley, lead it back to the cam cleats near the companionway.
3) Brace yourself, then lift mast from cockpit. You should have enough leverage to get it up to shoulder level and hold it one handed. Start hauling in your line as you lift.
4) Next step is up to you: either finish the raising the mast using just the line, or walk it up, keeping some tension on the line. Either way, once the mast is up, cleat the line off.
5) Pin the forestay.First time I did this solo, I was scared to death, but the cam cleat WILL HOLD, trust it (as a precuation, I do tie the line off forward near the pulpit, but hey, I'm paranoid like that).
Same in reverse taking it down, except you will have to muscle the mast down, once it's past 45-degrees, rather than just using the line.
It's worth it to learn - allows me true single-handed freedom, as I have to do a full set up everytime I sail.
[Return to Harbor Messages | Create New/Followup Message]