Is there a step by step for a stepping of the mast?

[GilStump]

Howdy.

Now I have to step the mast to get to a keel bolt right under the mast step so I can drop my keel. It's gonna be one hell of a week ladies and gents. Anyone that might film a document of this process might just make a fortune when they win the oscar next year. Because, I do expect some real EMOTION.

Anyone know of a good website with a step by step for a 35 foot sailboat? Mine is an Orion S&S 35.

You guys and gals rock!

[CalebD]

Hey Gil,

Sounds like you want to un-step your mast so you can access your keel bolts and your mast is keel stepped not deck stepped.
The steps I would do are:
- remove cotter pins from Clevis pins
- loosen all turnbuckles as the mast will not fall as it is keel stepped
- disconnect all mast wiring (lights, antenna etc)
- find the crane and crane operator at LLM and induce them to un-step your mast. They will wrap a strap around it and raise it up to your spreaders before actually raising the mast.
- once the crane is ready to lift the rig take out ALL the Clevis pins from every stay and shroud and keep in a safe place.
- let the crane lift your mast carefully
- put mast next to your boat while you mess with your keel bolts (might want to get several saw horses to put it on especially if you have a roller furling system - you don't want to foils/extrusions to bend too much).

I may be able to come and visit you at your boat next Thursday.
Proceed with the next steps...
Good luck.

[jbondy]

A minor refinement to CalebD's list: mark all the wires you disconnect - both ends. There's nothing like connecting the spreader lights to the anchor light circuit, for example.

[imagine2frolic]

Drop the keel? Hopefully more than the 4 inches, and you will get the mystery solved. BEST WISHES in it being something simple. Nothing wrong with having HOPE........i2f

[GilStump]

Sounds simple enough for a complex task. And the boom is pretty easy off too, yes? I think I am going to get all new rigging while she is un-stepped. Thanks for the nautical-term correction Caleb. It'd be nice to have you over. Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit drinkin' cold beer.

[SEMIJim]

CalebD missed a couple steps.

Secure the top ends of all your running rigging somewhere low on the mast, get the bottom ends out of all the blocks, clutches, etc. coil it up, tie it and secure it to the mast. Have some line or bungees handy to secure all your standing rigging to the mast, after it's released, so it's not all draping and dragging all over the place as the mast is lifted, moved and stored.

And yes: The boom is usually pretty easy-off.

Jim