Stepping the Mast

[amyyy]

Hi:

How long does it take other people to step the mast? 

Thanks - am

[skip1930]

I use three people after the mast is in the tabernacle. One on a safety line from the top-o-mast, through the anchor roller and down to the welded cleat on the trailer. She takes up all the slack as it's generated.

The second person with arms straight up in the crock pit to hold the mast up [along with the safety line] high enough and long enough for me to scramble to the cabin top, and heft the mast up on my shoulder, then walk forward onto the cabin companionway hatch and continue walking forward till it's standing straight up.

Then the guy in the cockpit holds the mast up and against the back say while I fool around with the $50 Harkin pin. Which is why I prefer to raise the mast on the tarmac. I won't have to buy another pin if I drop the stupid thing over the side. The only thing that hinders this is having anyone of the two side shrouds becoming caught under the eyebrow over the ports.

Takes less time then reading or writing this. Oh we need a few more minutes to connect the wires.

skip.

[Greene]

B and I usually take about 30 minutes to get the boat from parking lot to pier.  Of course the first time each season always seems to take twice that long since we forget the process over the winter.  To step the mast is one of the quickest parts of the setup.  Once the mast is untied and set roughly in place (base of the mast near the tabernacle) we ensure the shroud cables are clear of the eyebrows and the rear stay is clear of obstructions.  B puts the pin in the tabernacle and then takes the front stay toward the bow.  I shoulder the mast and walk it up til B can connect the stay to the bow.  It really only takes 3-4 minutes to raise the mast, but all the other little chores take us about 25 minutes. 

Mike and B

[brackish]

On my 23, takes me about 15 or 20 minutes by myself with my raising system.  There is about an hours worth of other stuff that I have to do to get ready for a long tow.

[Salty19]

I agree with Greene. Stepping the mast is pretty quick once you're ready to do so.  It's all the other prep work that takes time (organizing halyards and other lines, installing boom/motor/fenders/windex, checking over the rigging, unplugging trailer wire, etc. 30-40 minutes for us not including chatting with any local that strolls by to admire Island Time. Then again we strap everything down pretty well so it takes a bit just to undo all the bungies and straps.  We do this only a few times a year so haven't been in a hurry.

[crazycarl]

It's all the other prep work that takes time... windex...

yea...that windex thing.  why can't i ever remember to install it BEFORE raising the mast?

                                                                                carl

[JLaman]

The complete CP19 setup -- parking lot to launch -- takes me 25 minutes, maybe a couple minutes less if I hurry.  Mast stepping is probably about 8 - 10 minutes of that which includes a special "crutch" with roller I made that attaches to the stern rail, allowing me to lift the mast, roll it out, and step it relatively easily.  I do the entire setup solo, including mast stepping and launch.  If the fisherman are all out in the lake and not on their way in, crowding the ramp, I can be on the water 30 minutes from arrival.  I've been doing this for 4 years now, so have it down.

[Glenn Basore]

I agree,

Raising the mast goes pretty fast, may be 5 -10 minutes but............its the prep work which take a good 30 minutes or more.

I have to un tie all the lines and lay them out so they don't get in the way, add the rudder, fenders etc.

I use the trailer winch to raise and lower the mast so I can do it by my self........

[Billy]

about 30 minutes for me from parking lot to the dock. Stepping the mast is quick. I do it much like Green only I have my wife stand on the ground w/ a strap that I attach to the front stay. I never thought about her being on the deck. Attaching the boom, topping lift, sheets, and sails takes a majority of the time. I always do it on the hard, never in the water. For the same reason Skip does and the boat doesn't move when on the trailer, much more stable. And unless I check 1st the lower stays almost always get caught on the eyebrows. and the back stay gets caught up around the tiller.

Then comes the cooler and any gear we may have. If I'm in a hurry I can get to sailing in about 15-20 minutes.

One time I was retreaving the boat and my Father in law sliped on the ramp and cut his hand on some oysters and we had to take him to the ER for stitches. He got the mast down and everything tied up in about 5 minutes. Granted we just stuffed the sails into the cabin. but we were on the road in 5 minutes.