Typhoon Senior/CD22 mast unstep question

[Dave Berquist]

I have lost the mainsail halyard (don't ask). I think I can drop the mast - did it frequently on my Weekender by myself and think this should be doable with 2 folks - but I'm concerned about the bottom of the mast sliding out when pivoting. The weekender had a pivot pin but not in the senior (I assume the 22 is the same config?) Am I locked into going to a yard to have it unstepped vertically? Thoughts, comments, experiences appreciated, as always.

[casampson]

I helped a friend step the mast on a Typhoon Senior, and I thought we were going to all die. It is a big mast, and it was very difficult to control. I vowed I would never do it again, no matter how good our friendship was. Fortunately, he sold the boat and it was never an issue. I would not recommend that you do it yourself. A crane service is worth the money.

[Typhoon4Fun]

A friend and I were able to unstep the mast on my TySr using an A-frame constructed of two 16' 2x4's, positioned just forward of the mast. The feet were secured to the stanchions and it was guyed off fore and aft. Quite secure. We suspended a block from the top of the a-frame. The hoisting is done with a line secured to the base of the mast with a sling around the mast just below the block. See my very crude sketch below. This set-up allows you to pull down on the line, lifting the mast off of the step. Your partner can then walk the base of the mast forward while you slowly let out line.

I have since added a hinged step because I thought it would make the process faster/easier. In some ways this has proved to be true but the a-frame method felt more secure. I basically use this method, with a slightly different gin-pole design: http://skipmeisch.com/slowflight/upgrad ... nPole.html

[Dave Berquist]

Typhoon4Fun - thanks for the input. I was unable to open the image though. Could you repost or just send it to my email dave.berquist@gmail.com -thanks!