Am I Insane (Unstepping CD22 Mast)?

[Stephen C. Crampton]

I have the following plan for unstepping my mast on my CD22. Please warn of any potential perils.

To support and lower the mast, I plan to disconnect the two forward hounds, attach the main sheeting block and tackle to them, and then attach a come-along (or "Power Pull") between the tackle and the bowplate.

Then I plan to disconnect the forestay and fasten to the mast (out of the way); run a strong line from one jib-sheet cleat around the front of the base of the mast and back to the other jib-sheet cleat; and, finally, disconnect the foreward of the two pins connecting the mast to the deck step.

Next, I will ease out and cleat the mainsheet tackle and push the mast backwards. When the mast pulls the mainsheet tackle taut, I will slowly release the tackle, easing the mast down. When there is enough room under the mast ahead of the still-connected mast pin, I will slip the line running between the jibsheet cleats under the mast and tighten it, to support the hinge against the mast's forward push as the mast becomes more horizontal.

If and when the load becomes unmanageable with the mainsheet tackle, I will use the come-along to lower the mast the rest of the way.

Before lowering the mast, I plan to loosen the sidestays and back-running hounds. If they seem to be getting taut, I will loosen them further or disconnect them. Their purpose is to keep the mast centered over the boat, not to handle any loads.

There may be a rough landing on the last few feet, because of the angles of the lines, so I plan to pad the stern pulpit with a blanket wrapped around a pillow where the mast will make contact.

Ingenious, insane, or both?

Stephen



sailing@star.net

[Jerry Hammernik]

Stephen, This year I used the derrick at the yacht club to lower the mast on my CD25. The first 19 years I stepped and unstepped it manually. I found the best way was to put the boat in a slip where the main pier was higher than the boat's deck. I removed the aft lower shrouds and loosened the uppers and forward lowers slightly. I left the headstay attached and set the topping lift at the end of the boom. I then removed the forward of the two pins on the mast step and removed the back stay. The boom now functions as a gin pole and one of the helpers pushes the mast forward. As the helper steadies the mast I use the main sheet to lower away. As the mast decends you lose leverage with the boom. About this time a helper on the pier in front of the boat reaches up with a 2 by 4 which has a pair of 1 by 4's fastened to it in a V shape and catches the mast. We then remove the second pin at the mast base and walk the spar aft until it can be set on the pulpit. Works well. I have done it by lowering it toward the stern (even while the boat was up on the trailer) but this method seems to work the best. The key is a couple of good size friends. If I can provide any more info just let me know. Good Luck, Jerry



dauntles@execpc.com

[eric Heilshorn]

I have the following plan for unstepping my mast on my CD22. Please warn of any potential perils.

To support and lower the mast, I plan to disconnect the two forward hounds, attach the main sheeting block and tackle to them, and then attach a come-along (or "Power Pull") between the tackle and the bowplate.

Then I plan to disconnect the forestay and fasten to the mast (out of the way); run a strong line from one jib-sheet cleat around the front of the base of the mast and back to the other jib-sheet cleat; and, finally, disconnect the foreward of the two pins connecting the mast to the deck step.

Next, I will ease out and cleat the mainsheet tackle and push the mast backwards. When the mast pulls the mainsheet tackle taut, I will slowly release the tackle, easing the mast down. When there is enough room under the mast ahead of the still-connected mast pin, I will slip the line running between the jibsheet cleats under the mast and tighten it, to support the hinge against the mast's forward push as the mast becomes more horizontal.

If and when the load becomes unmanageable with the mainsheet tackle, I will use the come-along to lower the mast the rest of the way.

Before lowering the mast, I plan to loosen the sidestays and back-running hounds. If they seem to be getting taut, I will loosen them further or disconnect them. Their purpose is to keep the mast centered over the boat, not to handle any loads.

There may be a rough landing on the last few feet, because of the angles of the lines, so I plan to pad the stern pulpit with a blanket wrapped around a pillow where the mast will make contact.

Ingenious, insane, or both?

Stephen

eheilsh1@maine.rr.com

[Jon Larson]

Stephen, I am almost hesitant to write as my memory may be faulty, it's been over 15 years since I owned my CD22. But, as I remember, the tabernacle for the foot of the mast allowed the mast to pivot back toward the stern. Again, may be faulty memory, but I do remember two of us walking the mast up manually, no big deal. Like you, we had the upper shrouds fastened but loosened, and the aft stay fastened to make sure we didn't over do things when raising the mast. I also had a cushion tied to the aft rail to rest the mast on when it came down all the way.

Your idea of a forward line is certainly very good as a "make sure" so things don't go out of control. I've never done this, but most diagrams I"ve seen had a pole attached to the mast which jutted forward so that as the mast came down, the angle of the forward line to the bow of the boat was steep enough to provide actual support. Without it, as the mast comes down and the angle of the line from the mast to the bow becomes more level, the effectiveness of that line will decrease as the mast approaches horizontal.

But again, as my memory tells me, it was not big deal for two guys to raise or lower that mast. But, again, it's been a long time and use all the precaution your own good sense says you should use.

Jon Larson
Cape Dory 30 PERI
San Francisco Bay.

I have the following plan for unstepping my mast on my CD22. Please warn of any potential perils.

To support and lower the mast, I plan to disconnect the two forward hounds, attach the main sheeting block and tackle to them, and then attach a come-along (or "Power Pull") between the tackle and the bowplate.

Then I plan to disconnect the forestay and fasten to the mast (out of the way); run a strong line from one jib-sheet cleat around the front of the base of the mast and back to the other jib-sheet cleat; and, finally, disconnect the foreward of the two pins connecting the mast to the deck step.

Next, I will ease out and cleat the mainsheet tackle and push the mast backwards. When the mast pulls the mainsheet tackle taut, I will slowly release the tackle, easing the mast down. When there is enough room under the mast ahead of the still-connected mast pin, I will slip the line running between the jibsheet cleats under the mast and tighten it, to support the hinge against the mast's forward push as the mast becomes more horizontal.

If and when the load becomes unmanageable with the mainsheet tackle, I will use the come-along to lower the mast the rest of the way.

Before lowering the mast, I plan to loosen the sidestays and back-running hounds. If they seem to be getting taut, I will loosen them further or disconnect them. Their purpose is to keep the mast centered over the boat, not to handle any loads.

There may be a rough landing on the last few feet, because of the angles of the lines, so I plan to pad the stern pulpit with a blanket wrapped around a pillow where the mast will make contact.

Ingenious, insane, or both?

Stephen

jon9@ix.netcom.com