Question on Two Versions of the Mast Raising Systems on Horizon Cat?

[Boat-in]

Good Evening All,

IN my search for a ComPac Horizon Cat, I noticed two versions of the MastTendr system

Older ones:
These have a removable bin pole. Once raised, you pin the mast, remove the gin pole and attach the forestay.

Newer ones:
Have a flip up gin pole thingy attached to the mast (like the Sunday Cat) and a block/tackle on the forestay. With this version, you flip the gin pole thingy up, raise the mast, put in the safety pin and you are good to go. The block and tackle stay in place.

A few questions:
Is the newer one an improvement?

Did the newer version help with the difficulty of raising the mast the first few feet?

I would really appreciate your thoughts on the two versions.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts/opinions.
Dan

[bruce]

I don't have first-hand knowledge of the HC mast raising systems, but this question has come up recently and in researching the issue I ran across this description of the older system you reference.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k59DsMHQRVw

With no additional mechanical advantage on the Mastendr Plus system (the Sunday Cat version you refer to), other than the winch seen in the attached video, and a shorter gin pole, I don't see how that will improve the initial lift. As you suggest, the difficulty is getting the thing started, once raised a few degrees it becomes easier. I suspect most just walk it up until hauling on the line becomes more effective.

Maybe they changed the winch purchase with the Mastendr Plus on the HC.

[Boat-in]

Thanks Bruce

One would hope the 2nd version is an improvement. Although looking at it, i am not sure.

I will check out the video

[Boat-in]

The video is interesting. It appears to use version one of the system.

[alsantini]

My boat is a 2021 and has the version you have tagged as one or the older.  Are you sure you are looking at the Horizon?  The description looks like the Legacy Sport.  There has to be someone on this board that has a newer model, Horizon.  BTW, when I step the mast, I push the mast up to about a 45 deg angle standing against the companionway as I pull the lifting line tight in the clutch.  Then I use the winch to finish of the job.  Works for me.  I am not strong enough to use the winch from a full down position.  Sail On,  Al

[Boat-in]

Could not sort out how to add a video here
 Put one up on the Compac owners Facebook group

Link To Facebook post with video

[Boat-in]

My boat is a 2021 and has the version you have tagged as one or the older.  Are you sure you are looking at the Horizon?  The description looks like the Legacy Sport.  There has to be someone on this board that has a newer model, Horizon.  BTW, when I step the mast, I push the mast up to about a 45 deg angle standing against the companionway as I pull the lifting line tight in the clutch.  Then I use the winch to finish of the job.  Works for me.  I am not strong enough to use the winch from a full down position.  Sail On,  Al

Good Question. Yes, I am sure I am looking at an Horizon Day Cat.

[bruce]

Not that it really matters, but are we sure that Com-Pac ever marketed the HC with the Mastendr Plus to replace the existing design? Al's 2021 is pretty new, I'd bet not that many additional HCs were built, maybe 5-10, and he has the original system. I mostly associate the Mastendr Plus with the Sunday Cat, the only gin pole version they offered on that boat to my knowledge. I know of a 2016 Sunday Cat so equipped, and it may well have been available earlier.

The Mastendr Plus was offered as a stand-alone package for retrofitting any Mastendr mast, to offer a gin pole on models that didn't have the option. I know of one 2010 SC that was fitted with one in 2024, to make it easier to do from the cockpit while tending young kids. I've even heard on one being installed on a PC; wouldn't occur to me! I see reference to a Boomtendr Plus on a Legacy Sport, not sure how they might differ.

[alsantini]

I agree Bruce.  I don't think there are two systems for the Horizon.  the "improved" system showed up on the SC and the Legacy, I think.  BUT, I have been frequently wrong.  LOL   Sail On,  Al

[Boat-in]

I agree Bruce.  I don't think there are two systems for the Horizon.  the "improved" system showed up on the SC and the Legacy, I think.  BUT, I have been frequently wrong.  LOL   Sail On,  Al

Any thoughts on the video showing a Sunday cat type system on our Horizon Day Cat? Do you all think someone did this after the sale?

Boat is kind of unique. It has a 6 speaker stereo system that Com Pac factory installed. 4 speakers in the cockpit and 2 in the cabin. Would not surprise me if they also had the Mast tender system up graded to the mast tender plus.

[Boat-in]

What does not make sense to me is, if the MasTendr + worked better than the stock MastTendr, why did Compac not make it a standard item on HC and HC Day?

Over 45 years, we have owned several compac boats. Compac was always upgrading the models with their latest. I wonder if it was a limited improvement that did not warrant putting it on all HCs.

[bruce]

I think that's the point. The Mastendr Plus may not be better than the original HC system on the HC, and  indeed may not have been intended to be. The Day Cat sailor may have liked it better because it is more self-contained, not messing around with a separate rod. Since he had an open cockpit it was easy enough to walk the mast up for the first bit. With a shorter gin pole, and no other increase in leverage, I don't see how it would be better at lifting the mast.

I don't do Facebook so I couldn't see what you posted there. I can post what you have here on the CPYOA, send me a PM with your email and I'll get back to you.

[Boat-in]

I think that's the point. The Mastendr Plus may not be better than the original HC system on the HC, and  indeed may not have been intended to be. The Day Cat sailor may have liked it better because it is more self-contained, not messing around with a separate rod. Since he had an open cockpit it was easy enough to walk the mast up for the first bit. With a shorter gin pole, and no other increase in leverage, I don't see how it would be better at lifting the mast.

I don't do Facebook so I couldn't see what you posted there. I can post what you have here on the CPYOA, send me a PM with your email and I'll get back to you.

Concur. All good points

Although, the block and tackle on the MastTendr + should give lifting force advantage.

A search of picts on the internet has shown some have it and some don't. Does not seem to be any correlation to year. Plus a gent on the Facebook group said it was an option when he ordered his 2024 HC. 

[bruce]

I shouldn't be hard to retrofit either system onto whatever HC you got. I'm glad you found a Day Cat to consider, they're pretty scarce.

Good luck in your search!

[Boat-in]

I shouldn't be hard to retrofit either system onto whatever HC you got. I'm glad you found a Day Cat to consider, they're pretty scarce.

Good luck in your search!

Concur. I suspect they built far fewer of them than the original HC.