New buyer

[Tim H]

Just bought a 1979 Com-Pac 16, any help with what is needed to raise mast?

[TroyVB]

Hey Tim,

Congrats on the new boat

Start by placing the base of the mast in the tabernacle(the bracket on top of the cabin)  You can rest the mast on the companionway hatch but it is better if you have a mast crutch at the back of the boat that will keep the mast off of the hatch.  The track that is in the mast should be down at this point.

You need to connect the side stays to the chainplates with the stainless steel pins. If every thing is adjusted fairly close at this point you should be able to walk the mast forward into an upright position.  Be sure to check for overhead wires before you do this.  Aluminum masts and electricity do not mix.  After the mast is upright you can take the forestay forward to the bow fitting and connect it with the stainless pin.  It should connect in the hole that is furthest forward.

The mast of the CP16 is light enough to do this with one person but it helps to have a helper.  They can hold the mast in the upright position by pushing forward while you connect the forestay.  It will seem as though the mast coud fall from side to side but if you have the shrouds hooked up first they will take care of this movement.

All that is left is putting the boom in the sail track and bending on the sails.  If this is not enough info just speak up here, someone will walk you through whatever procedure you've got questions on.

I have no doubt you will enjoy the boat and if you don't consider yourself a sailor now you soon will be.  Have fun!

[Craig]

Tim,

Congrats on your purchase. I have a 16 titled as a 1980 but built in 1979. Troy laid out the procedure well. The only thing I sometimes do when stepping the mast by myself (which is most of the time) is take the jib halyard and tie it off on the pulpit to hold the mast up while I attach the forestay. It is very easy to hold the mast with one hand and free the jib halyard from the cleat on the mast with the other, keep tension on the halyard while going forward, then tie the end with the shackle to the pulpit. To keep the other end from getting pulled up the mast and through the hound I run it through the base of the cleat and have the end tied with a figure eight.  I would take pictures but my boat is in winter storage.

Feel free to ask any questions about the 16. If we don't know the answer we'll make something up!  

Craig

[Tim H]

Thank you for all the help, it's good to have some back-up out there. Stay warm.