Date: //
Name: Will White
email: omegacubed@desoto.net
subject:Mast Raising
I should have added that the real shrouds should (MUST!) be attached to the chainplates when the mast is in its vertical position before relaxing the temporary shrouds. The reason for the temp shrouds is that the regular shrouds are attached to the chainplates on a lower horizontal plane than the aft pivot of the mast step. Therefore, as the mast is lowered, the shrouds slacken, and stop providing adequate lateral support. The ends of the temporary shrouds clip into eyebolts set through the cabin top just inboard of the handrails. They are held to the mast by a sail slug in the mast groove, and fastened to the main halyard. They are made taut by honking on the halyard when the mast is in the step and still horizontal. The tops of the eyebolts in the deck are set precisely on the same horizontal plane AND vertical plane as the aft mast step pivot pin, and thereby maintain lateral support as the mast is raised or lowered.The scissor gin pole arms hinge on similar eye bolts a bit forward of the mast step. When the mast is raised just a little beyond the point shown in the photo, the scissors fall away, but by then the angle of the raising tackle is enough to continue raising the mast with little additiional effort. This two-part tackle is attached to the jib halyard (make sure it's cleated at the mast!) Once the mast is upright, the running end of the tackle should be cleated at the winch cleat (used for the genoa sheet) until the forestay is attached.
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