Mike -
I used the A-frame method to take down my rig and Lee is right... it can get hairy.
A method a boat in fleet 8 used a few years back was to simply utilize the halyards from two Catalina 27s docked in adjacent slips. The two outside boats hoisted the mast up attached near the spreaders then pivoted it into place. Simple, effective and I wish I had thought of that.
Using two adjacent sailboats is the method I'll be using this spring instead of the A-frame method.
Just an alternative suggestion.
Bill Smith
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lee Scott" <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, April 2, 2009 11:20:41 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re: [IC27A] Perryville, MD HELP!
Mike,
Are you covering a round-trip plane ticket? :-)
I stepped mine last year, and I used the instructions here at http://www.catalina27.org/SN-FTP/mastraising.jpg
It was a little scary at first, but after raising and lowering it twice to correct criss-crossed halyards, etc., it I got a lot more confident in the process. The only thing I did different from the instructions was I used the mainsheet and fiddle blocks from my Catalina 22 to do the lifting, rather than using just a single block at the top. That made the lifting easy enough for my wife to do it while I and a friend swung the base of the mast into place. The only thing I'd change is I'd make the A-frame about a foot taller than they say in the instructions. With the fiddle block at the top rather than a single block, the mast was hard up against it and as high as it would go before I had enough clearance at the base to place it on a 4x4 wooden block.
Placing it on the 4x4 wooden block lets you connect all the wiring and test it before you drop it onto the step. Good luck!
Lee Scott
Mike wrote:
Hello, Group! I'm looking for somebody in the Perryville, MD area who can lend me some dockside advice. I've got a C27 I need some experienced help with, mostly in getting the mast stepped. I'm not looking for somebody to it FOR ME, just somebody to help ME DO IT. If you're in the area please drop me an email, I'm covering gas and buying drinks. I'm stuck between a rock and hard spot, your assistance is apprecitated!!!
Mike
[email protected]
