How does self a raising mast work

danjarch · #1 (**permalink**) 08-12-2007

I rigged up a system for raising my buddies mast that is a little more complicated then is reasonable. I want to make a new system that is more user friendly. I've never used the macgreger or any other self raising, so I don't know how they work, but would like something that is easy to use. The boat is 17 foot. I'm not exactly sure the size of the mast, but it's between 18 and 20 feet. If you have any information that you think would be helpful, I could use it.

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 08-13-2007

You could make an a-frame system for raising the mast.

It's pretty simple to make, and requires fairly little expense in materials. basically the a-frame mounts into stanchion bases that are close to the fore-aft position of the mast step. My friend's design uses the life-line stanchion bases... and then a halyard goes from the mast top to the end of the a-frame, and a block and tackle, he uses the boom vang, goes from the end of the a-frame to the forestay chainplate or bow cleat. The foot of the mast needs to have an aft edge hole that a bolt can pass through with matching holes in the mast step. This bolt is put into place and acts as a hinge point for the mast. The A-frame acts as a lateral stabilizer and a gin-pole.

Take the slack up on the halyard unti the A-frame is standing almost vertical (canted a bit towards the top of the mast)... then pull on the block-and-tackle to lever the mast upright.

Sapperwhite · #3 (**permalink**) 08-13-2007

Here is a link to a WW Potter mast raising technique. The lady uses a crutch to hold the mast in the aft, and uses a length of line to pull it up. Some others rig a pole off of the front of the mast to form a triangle when the line passes through the end of the pole.

http://www.blumhorst.com/potterpages...013/aindex.htm

http://potter-yachters.org/manyways/p19_guide/index.htm

poltergeist · #4 (**permalink**) 08-13-2007

I've pasted a number of links below on different mast-stepping schemes. One of them may be right for you ...

edit --

don't know why the links didn't post as links ... go here:

Movies/sailingvideosindex.html" target="_blank">http://www.sailingtexas.com/ Movies/s...deosindex.html

Kurt