dropping mast in the slip?

[jbarros]

Hi All,

I''ve got a 19'' sloop, with a 22'' mast, so it''s not the biggest thing in the world. Deck stepped. The bolts and the mast step are both original (1962) eqiplemnt, and there''s enough corosion now that, while I strongly doubt there''s a safty issue (still plenty of good metal where it counts) I''m also going to have to drill, not unscrew the bolts off. I was going to drop the mast in the slip, take off the mast footing, and bring that up to the local metal worker to get a new one fabricated.

The catch? I''ve never brought down a mast before. Suggested reading? or if it''s simple, an quick how to? Advice before I jump into the project?

Thanks.

-- James

[knothead]

Your mast should be set up to lower by pivoting on a bolt through the mast heel. Some are set up to go forward using the boom as a fulcrum, but yours is small enough that it is probably made to lower aft. If you get together three people to help you it should go pretty easy.
Secure your jib halyard to the stem.
Release the forward lower shrouds if you have them.
Loosen the upper shrouds a little (make sure the uppers are on the center line of the mast.
Loosen and release the headstay. (the jib halyard will now be holding up the spar.)
Tie a line securely to the headstay and have someone walk forward and pull the mast forward.
Station two people on deck to guide and catch the weight of the mast as it starts to come down.
Release the jib halyard from the stem while the mast is being held forward.
Then lower the mast slowly while watching the uppers to make sure they do not get too tight. It may be necessary to loosen them more. (If so, have the person on the headstay pull the mast upright again.)
The people on deck should be able to take the weight of the spar before the person on the headstay can''t hold it anymore.
Just be careful, take your time and keep your eyes open.

[knothead]

Your mast should be set up to lower by pivoting on a bolt through the mast heel. Some are set up to go forward using the boom as a fulcrum, but yours is small enough that it is probably made to lower aft. If you get together three people to help you it should go pretty easy.
Secure your jib halyard to the stem.
Release the forward lower shrouds if you have them.
Loosen the upper shrouds a little (make sure the uppers are on the center line of the mast.
Loosen and release the headstay. (the jib halyard will now be holding up the spar.)
Tie a line securely to the headstay and have someone walk forward and pull the mast forward.
Station two people on deck to guide and catch the weight of the mast as it starts to come down.
Release the jib halyard from the stem while the mast is being held forward.
Then lower the mast slowly while watching the uppers to make sure they do not get too tight. It may be necessary to loosen them more. (If so, have the person on the headstay pull the mast upright again.)
The people on deck should be able to take the weight of the spar before the person on the headstay can''t hold it anymore.
Just be careful, take your time and keep your eyes open.

[pjfsail]

Before you begin make sure there is enough distance between the bottom of the mast and the top of the tabernacle base to enable the mast to actually pivot. I have a deck stepped mast on my 34''. whoever installed the mast did not leave enough distance and the mast cannot pivot the 90 degrees it takes to place it on deck. In order to remove the mast I went to the Harbor Master and received permission to use the public crane, lifted the mast just enough to allow it to pivot and placed it on the deck. The cost: $7.50 to use the crane. Just a thought to help you keep safe. Regards, Peter

[sailingbauble]

Here is one manufacturer''s solution to the problem for a boat with a considerable larger mast than yours.

http://www.macgregor26.com/mast_raising.htm