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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Mast Raising Aids

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monty0
1st Mate

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USA
51 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/07/2006 : 19:41:12

So we decided to try raising our mast for the first time. We built a post with a roller on it so we could roll the mast aft and bolt it on the mastep.

We also built an A-Frame out of conduit which we attached the forestay to, and also another line which ran through the anchor roller and back to a winch, to pull the mast up from the front. About 1/3 of the way up, the conduit bent under the weight, and we brought it back down safely. So much for that idea.

So another idea mentioned in the Catalina Technical Manual is a roller on the back, like we have, and a crutch made of a 6' 2x4 and plywood. It has a notch on the crutch for the halyard. However there's no picture of how to use it.

So one of us thinks you just use it from underneath and push up the mast.

Another thinks that that notch means you actually put it on top of the mast so it sticks straight up in the air and run the halyard over it and then through a pulley and back to the winch and you winch it up. The big question here is where to put the crutch along the mast? At the base? 4' up so we can reach it when the mast is up? Where?

We're looking for a way we can safely raise the mast with just the two of us.

Anybody out there with experience with this sort of setup care to comment?

Thanks,

Monty

Monty

1977 Catalina 25 #66 SRSK "Prana"

Edited by - on

monty0
1st Mate

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USA
51 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2006 : 19:45:18

Another thought--are there different types of conduit, or a better material to make this A-Frame out of?

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monty0
1st Mate

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USA
51 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2006 : 19:50:03

Supposedly the A-Frame is more stable and one person could actually raise the mast that way, so if we can find a way to make that work it would be best.

Thanks,

Monty

Edited by - on

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2006 : 19:53:58

The crutch is used to elevate the mast so you can step it. Mine has a bottom crossbrace that I secure through the cockpit drain holes. I secure the top to the stern pulpit. Now it becomes a fairly secure roller to push the mast back on.

For the a-frame. I use 10 foot 2x4's as a standing a-frame. Overkill by a mile but.....they will not fail.

Tom.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2006 : 20:24:48

I don't know how useful this is to you, but on my old catamaran, I used a frame made of 3" schedule 80 PVC which was plenty strong for the fairly lightweight mast. Schedule 80 is sturdier than schedule 40, that's what I'd use if you don't want to go the 2x4 route. I'd probably go up to at least 4" PVC though.

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jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2006 : 21:35:27

Conduit is too light, heavier than conduit, yet lighter than steel pipe is EMT. Try the 1.25" dimension. PVC is pretty weak in compression.
Jerry

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sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2006 : 23:07:22

I still use the spinnaker pole for the gin pole and a bridle to brace it. The mast crutch with a roller is a three section aluminum pole that has pins for safety. The forestay is attached to the ring of the bridle with the mainsheet for power to lift and lower. The mast crutch is attached to the traveler and the stern pulpit with lines attached just below the roller and then to cleats. I have installed the boom as the gin pole for others with C25s, using a 3/8 bolt at the base of the mast and a 3/8 hole in the outer end of the boom. The bridle is attached to the goose neck with the forestay and the main sheet. I have a TR and have seen many different methods including just manhandling the mast. I designed my method so that on a cruise I would have everything to lower the mast on board for repair or go under a bridge. I can do the entire operation by myself but it's better with help. Watch for undersize poles for the A frame and a halyard for safety to attach or release before attaching the forstay or releasing it. I have seen stern pulpits with a mast dip and outboards without an engine cover.

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tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2006 : 13:10:59

I wonder if you have the heavy wall conduit (EMT) as Jerry said. I have a set up just as you described and it has worked fine for a couple of years of trailer sailing. I do step the mast all by myself, its easier with two though and I can't get it down alone until I improve my roller assembly at the stern. I step my mast with the sail on the furler so it has a pretty good load on the conduits. There are photos on my web page - you can follow the links from my profile.

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StSimon
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2006 : 16:30:43

I have stepped and unstepped numerous times solo. Several times solo in the water with ocean action to boot. I don't know what type of conduit this is but it hasn't failed me yet. Here are some photos.

Edited by - on

Jefffriday
Navigator

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USA
198 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2006 : 17:17:25

Great photos, but I am still a bit confused. I will be picking up my new boat (89wing) next week and will have to lower the mast by myself with zero assistance or previous experience on this machine (Yeah, could be interesting) So if I understand this all, in these photos the mast would be resting over the stern with the aframe in the shots raised vetically, Halyard from mast top to aframe top, line from there to winch, a bridle attached to the aft stay locations (loose enough to allow raising, but tight enough to control lateral movement) and the up (or down) she goes?

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2006 : 18:38:07

yep
Sorry you won't have help, that is inconceivable here at our little lake, everyone helps everyone. I have never known a sailor to say no when asked. We have done it like this on the trailer in the spring but usually do it at the slip with three men and a spotter.

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Jefffriday
Navigator

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USA
198 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2006 : 11:21:14

I may have help, but it is an unknown. It's south of houston, there are tons of boats, I may even find someone who knows the C25. But I can't count on it... Thanks for the last shot, very helpful.

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PZell
Admiral

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USA
548 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2006 : 12:02:40

We do like Sweetcraft does with the addition that the forward shrouds are connected to a line through a block on the genoa track and then back through clutches and winch on the cabin top. That gives additional leverage so that the mast will not swing to either side. Perfect control on the way down. We tried the A-Frame once. It was very scarey.

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cat78
1st Mate

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34 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2006 : 14:52:29

If you look in the tech section you'll see a means to raise the mast using the boom as a fulcrum. Laying the mast over the bow and pulling it up basically using your sheet line. The boom is held centerd by a rope on either side that goes to the base of the center shroud.
I've done it a number of times myself with assist of one person and its really simple if you can get over how much the mast bent when you start. I saw a boater use this method in a canal on LI to go under a RR bridge with a mast quite a bit heaver than mine, and he did it with no help he says that he does it quite often.

Dave

Edited by - on

monty0
1st Mate

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USA
51 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2006 : 16:39:16

We tried again on Sunday, this time I made the A frame out of a couple of skinny oak trees I cut down, plus some angle iron I had lying around. Anyhow, with that in place we were able to get the mast up! Now we gotta figure out some more stuff, like how the lazy jacks get installed, etc.

Thanks for all your help. Thanks for the pictures too, they help a lot.

Monty

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2006 : 18:32:03

check the tech tips for the lazy jacks.

paul

Edited by - on

StSimon
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2006 : 23:30:33

Jeff,

Sorry I didn't explain better. The base of the A-frame is secured to both forward shroud chainplates. I leave it in this position whenever the mast is down. The main, spin, or headsail halyard are secured to the upper ring. To the lower ring is a line which runs through my boom vang tackle with an extra long line. This is a pair of fiddle blocks, one with a cam cleat. This is attached to a block at the stem fitting and then runs back to one of the winches. To prevent sidesway I secure a short line around the aft shrouds with two half hitches. This knot is forced to loosen as I urge the mast aloft. I do loosen if manually when it gets to hard to winch. All the while I am watching the aft and upper shrouds for any binding. It sounds like a lot of work, and in fact, in the summer heat it kind of is. But necessity is the mother of invention and when you have no one to help this system works well.

Good luck and...

Edited by - StSimon on 10/09/2006 23:32:10

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