Unstepping mast on CD22

[Wolf von Kalben]

My CD 22 is stored with her mast in place over the winter months. I will need to unstep it this summer as I take her through the Erie Canal. The original documentation claims that unstepping is easily accomplished by one person. If you have experience in this procedure, I would certainly like to hear from you!

Wolf von Kalben
Toronto



wolf.vonkalben@sympatico.on.ca

[John Martin]

CD 22, The original documentation claims that unstepping is easily accomplished by one person.

Wolf von Kalben
Toronto

We sailed CD22 #40 CARINA for about 12 years, and had some experience in stepping/unstepping the mast. If you put a lot of planning and thought into it, you may be able to un-step the mast with no help. I'm not sure I would want to try it. There was always at least my Wife and I, usually others could be found to help. There is usually someone in the boat yard who is willing to help. However, if you must un-step the mast by yourself I would try this :

Release the lowers.
Loosen the uppers.
Loosen the fore stay and back stay.
Hoist the anchor rode to the masthead using the jib halyard.
Lead the anchor rode thru a turning block back to the cockpit (put turning block on the bow, dock, shore, or another boat).
With some 10' lumber, make an X-frame (to support the mast in the cockpit).
Release the head stay.
Lower away, support the mast with the X-frame.
Be careful, don't fall overboard.
Get the mast down on deck. HAVE A BEER.

or

Get 3 or 4 other people to help.
Bring plenty of beer.

and

Make a couple of mast catchers by putting a 'Y' on top of an 8 foot 2x2. This will help control the mast comming down or going up.

Good luck.

John Martin
CD28 #40 Intrepid




john.martin.2@worldnet.att.net

[Carl Forsberg]

I have been stepping my Cape Dory 22 mast pretty routinely, sometimes alone, but better with another hand. I raise it from a forward position, top of mast out over the bow and bottom pinned on the tabernacle. I then use the boom as a gin pole, placing it on the mast in its normal position and use the mainsheet block and tackle to do the raising. The boom is supported forward with the main halyard, one end to the end of the boom and the other end cleated on the mast. The main sheet tackle supports it aft. Side support on each side is performed with a jib halyard. One end is tied to the end of the boom. It then passes through a one inch swivel block on the tang at the base of the forward lifeline stancion and back around the jib sheet winch, then cleated off. Be sure these are quite tight and the boom is perfectly vertical side to side. The offset of the swivel blocks and the tabernacle pivot causes some line stretch during raising, but is well within the stretch capability of the jib sheets. To lower, jus



Forsberg2@juno.com

[Carl Forsberg]

I have been stepping my Cape Dory 22 mast pretty routinely, sometimes alone, but better with another hand. I raise it from a forward position, top of mast out over the bow and bottom pinned on the tabernacle. I then use the boom as a gin pole, placing it on the mast in its normal position and use the mainsheet block and tackle to do the raising. The boom is supported forward with the main halyard, one end to the end of the boom and the other end cleated on the mast. The main sheet tackle supports it aft. Side support on each side is performed with a jib sheet. One end is tied to the end of the boom. It then passes through a one inch swivel block on the tang at the base of the forward lifeline stancion and back around the jib sheet winch, then cleated off. Be sure these are quite tight and the boom is perfectly vertical side to side. The offset of the swivel blocks and the tabernacle pivot causes some line stretch during raising, but is well within the stretch capability of the jib sheets. To lower, just



Forsberg2@juno.com