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Originally posted by Voyager

JohnP
12' boards would definitely do it, so a few questions:
• Did you connect the board ends to the forward chainplates (forward lower shrouds) or the upper shroud chainplates (the ones parallel with the mast)?
- Forward lower shroud chainplates. The forward lower shrouds were detached, and the upper shrouds were loosened 8 turns, I seem to remember. The mast step bolt was loosened a lot, and when the mast tips aft, the mast first becomes raised by about half of its own width while rocking back. The upper shrouds need to be loose enough to account for this small rise.

• How did you set up the forward end of the A-Frame? Just run a long bolt through the holes and connect some tangs to the.bolt as attachment points for the forestay and the mainsheet?
- 3/4" holes joined by a 6" carriage bolt with 2 carabiners between the 2x4 boards - one carabiner for the line led through the turning block at the stem and back to the cockpit, and one carabiner for the adjustable line (main sheet) attached to the secured jib halyard from the mast head. When raising the mast again, I first tension the mainsheet with one hand while standing in the cockpit and lifing the mast up as far as I can with the other hand. This gets the mast starting to be tilted upward without applying enormous force to the lifting/dropping line that runs to the stem. Then with the mainsheet fiddle block secured, the mast can be lifted all the way using the lifting line.

It is obvious when using this setup that the A-frame itself starts by lying a little bit above the foredeck, and it is raised as the mast is dropped. It ends up vertical when dropping the mast. Raising the mast lowers the A-frame, since the jib halyard is attached to it at a fixed length, and the mainsheet is tensioned and fixed.

• How tall was your crutch in the stern of the boat? How high above the transom did you catch the mast? I'm thinking 6-8 feet. Since the transom leans backward, how did you keep the crutch vertical?
- I think the crutch is about 6' or 7' tall, just enough to keep the mast roughly horizontal. I used a 2x4 with a roller on top made out of two 6" long 1"x2" boards on the left and right sides with a 2" PVC pipe section and a carriage bolt between them. It does not roll very well, but the mast can slide easily along the smooth PVC surface.
- I think I caught the mast while slowly releasing the line from the bow by straddling both cockpit benches and reaching up to 8' or so.
- The crutch was simply tied left and right to the pushpit and tied against the stern rail. It tilted a bit aft, but that's not important for this temporary function.

• How unstable was the mast at that point? Since you mentioned it swayed somewhat on the way down?
- It was windy (5 kt) in the marina one time, and the mast blew downwind as it was lowered. I stopped it halfway down and it swung back aboard. No problem! The 12' A-frame can let the mast swing to either side, but it cannot go far, and it will swing back, unless the boat itself heels. To swing it back, you can lean on the opposite gunwale for a moment.

- I should mention that I taped the upper shrouds and aft lower shrouds to the lifelines on port and starboard using blue painter's tape, so that the cables would not bend and become damaged at the chain plates when the mast is lowered. This also prevents kinking when the mast is raised again.

- I found a picture of the crutch:

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