Marine-tex and lifting the mast.

[KKorner]

Hi, Two questions.
1976 16' Compac
Painting the bottom, I used marine-tex to patch some cracks in the gel coat on the bottom after sanding. When sanding the marine-tex, should it be sanded smooth or can I leave a tiny 2 mm raised lip to help strength the patches?
I have a small Tacoma and would like to trailer and sail alone. There have been some tips on this board on a gin pole/ lift options, but can anyone offer a plan or clarification on what works best to raise the mast alone? Use a pole? Pulley?
Thanks so much for your help.

[deisher6]

Hey KKorner:
I always left the side stays connected when traveling.  So I would place the mast in the step and bolt it.  Then run the jib sheet to the bow pulpit.  After checking that the side stays and jib sheet were clear, I would stand in the cockpit and walk the mast up.  Once the mast was erect I would tighten and cleat off the jib sheet to hold the mast in place.  Then I would fasten the fore stay from the ground. 

A three step folding stepladder is very, very handy especially when rigging by yourself.  I carried it in the cockpit when traveling but left it ashore when sailing.  It makes it much easier to climb in and out of the boat when it is on the trailer, or to get stuff out of the cockpit without getting all the way in the boat.

Watch out for trees and power lines when the mast it up.

Smooth Sailing.

regards charlie

[mayrel]

Deisher6, I follow the same basic procedure raising/lower the mast.  The only difference is the boat is in the water(no trailer)and I have the CDI roller which adds weight to the mast.