How to drop mast?

[Weserin]

I have a 27' bayliner buccaneer sailboat. I have owned it for just short on 4 months. And I want to drop the mast for the winter. I have read the instruction manual, however not very clear on the instructions. Can someone give me better instructions on how to drop the mast.

[CalebD]

It would help somewhat if we knew if a Bayliner buccaneer was a deck stepped or keel stepped mast (I'm too lazy to look it up at the moment).
The path of least resistance and most cash outflow involves a crane which can pull the mast off the deck and will set you back several hundreds of dollars. Other options involve a nearby bridge that has enough height to help you lift it off but I wouldn't suggest that right now as your mast could weigh as much as 200 - 300 #'s or more.

[Patient]

What Caleb said.

Could you explain your situation a bit more in detail?
Where are you located?
Where is your Bayliner located?
Is it in the water, on a trailer or on stands?

After a quick google image search I think you might be able to jury rig something that could be safe if you are not near a crane, but if always better to just let someone do it in a way thats safe anyhow.

[Barquito]

Agree. My Catalina 22 mast was stressful enough to lower using an A-frame device. Hire a crane (cheaper an marina?). If the boat will be on land near the water, consider not lowering the mast every year.

[zz4gta]

[jjablonowski]

I'm assuming you have a deck-stepped mast.

Go to YouTube and get some various ideas.

Start here: YouTube - Stepping Mast on a Catalina 25

[SailingWebGuy]

Where are you located? I'm doing one saturday in Maryland...you can come help...haha.

I looked into cranes and found them to be pretty expensive. Someone recommended hiring a sign company. I found about 4 of them in my area that were willing to help. They're charging $275.