Date: 8/22/2006
Name: Pete
email: 2thepoint@mindspring.com
subject:Re: single-handed mast stepping
Mast stepping: My SJ came with a Hobie-style little half-camcleat/roller deal mounted on the side of the mast at hand level and no extra ropes. I simply reroute the jib halyard (or spinnaker halyard if the other has a 2:1) thru it and connect the working end to the bow clip. Then when raising the mast, I can pull in on the halyard and clip it at any time I need with both hands still on the mast. I cinch the mast up tight for attaching the forestay. When lowering mast, I can keep the halyard in hand as a break to ease the decent. Remember to remove the halyard from the cleat for sailing.If you can't lift the mast, you can use the trailer winch (or an extra trailer winch if you use a strap). Mount a spinnaker ring at the base of the mast and snap the spin pole to it for a gin pole. Snap a loose ring to the other end and clip the fore stay to it along with a small rope down to each rail beside the chainplates for pole stability. (The shoruds will keep the mast stable while raising on a SJ21) Route your trailer winch rope up thru a block on a short riser pipe on the trailer to clear the bow, and clip it to the ring to winch the mast up from the ground. You have a lot of leverage and raising is easy, so watch all your stays carefully for kinks and snags. Don't let go of the winch handle when lowering the mast.
I hope you find this info helpful. Good luck.
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