posted July 30, 2004 09:00 PM            

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Hello Went solo sailing my CL16 twice, everything was great, untill it came time to unstep the mast. I can step it by walking down my fordeck, but when I unstep it after I unhook the forestay I'm on the ground, I tried walking it back but both times I wound up dropping it on the transom, the last time the mast twisted and bent my pivot bolt.
Please advise.
Bob

IP: 64.252.50.49

posted July 30, 2004 09:11 PM               

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I sail solo most of the time and step and unstep the mast alone.
Stepping I do as you do. I walk the forestay up the foredeck and attach it to the bow.
Unstepping I do the reverse. I unclip the forestay and hold it while walking on the deck back to the cockpit. Then slowly walk it down and lay it on the transom.
A good 3/8 6" bolt will replace your mast pivot bolt. I have lost a lot of them.
I have heard of folks attaching a line to the forestay and connecting it to the winch and slowly letting the mast down. I don't know how this would work, The mast may twist and wobble and you may have the same problem. I am 63, 185lbs and walk the deck to raise and lower my mast.
Good Sailing
Tom D. CL16 # 438

IP: 205.188.116.130

posted July 30, 2004 09:51 PM            

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Thanks for the advise. I was coming to that conclusion. Do you unhook the forstay while standing on the ground then climb up on the deck or do you unhook it while on the fordeck.
Thanks.
Bob

IP: 64.252.91.188

posted July 31, 2004 01:24 PM               

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I stay on the foredeck to unhook the forestay and walk back to the cockpit.
That way I always have control of the mast.
The first few steps with the forestay and then with the actual mast.
Good Sailing Tom D.

IP: 149.174.164.83

posted July 31, 2004 09:42 PM            

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Thanks Tom. If tomorrow's good I'll be out again and unstep your way.
Bob

IP: 64.252.51.163

posted August 03, 2004 12:14 PM               

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My experience has been that I have to walk it down from the cockpit. Lowering it by holding onto the forestay doesn't give me the leverage I need. A couple of other things I have learned the hard way. Try to position the boat so the wind is coming from behind. A head wind puts the wind on Murphys side. The next one I came upon by accident. If you secure the end of the boom vang that normally connects to the boom to the cross member and tighten it, you will lessen the chances for the boom to come crashing down after you have released the forestay before you can get in the cockpit and lower it.

IP: 198.96.180.245

posted August 04, 2004 01:45 AM               

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I'll try to get some pictures this weekend of how my mast raising system works. It keeps the mast from falling to the side, and there is no chance of the mast falling. Also you don't need to walk it up or down.

Going to Glendo State Park in Wyoming this weekend.

Sid

[This message has been edited by Hyprstitch (edited August 04, 2004).]

IP: 205.188.116.130

posted August 14, 2004 02:07 PM              

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I tied a bowline in my spin halyard, and pass that through the loopy-thing (can't remember the name at the moment) on the bow then hoist away-ish.

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Canadian Sailor ;)
"Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you
criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes."

IP: 216.209.110.186

posted August 14, 2004 02:08 PM              

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PS: I'm sure you all already know this, but I learnt the hard way, I recommend using a bolt that isn't threaded all the way, as my mast damaged the thread the first time and it was quite a pain to remove.

IP: 216.209.110.186