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Hi Guys! need advise, I keep my rolling furler attached to the mast. When I raise the mast do not use a winch, I have been muscleing it up with help from another person. Not that easy furler kind of heavy. How do you guys do it? Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks Richie

mast raising system. Get it. Best thing you will buy for your boat. There are plans to make an M mast raising system (which is easier than the X's) out there somewhere.

We have the older "X" mast raising system for our 2000 . This old style unit has no attached rachet on the bar (like the new system does), just a block and tackle (B&T). We run the rope from the B&T to the port winch.

I raise the mast by myself no problem, and very safe as long as you make sure you have the bitter end tied/cleated off good before going forward to attach the fore-stay furler to the deck.

A "must have" piece of equipment

Mast raising system.....135$ plus shipping and taxes( for the M ONE ...I'm not sure if it works on the X check the search button for a discussion on the subject) ..You can afford it.

Q1

Rich,
Get the mast raising kit. It will make the job simple and safe.

However, getting easy "roller furling control" will still be an issue while raising and lowering.

The mast kit will have a fixed line running from the pole forward to a bow cleat.
This line can be the answer for perfect control of the furler, both raising and lowering.

After the mast raising kit is installed, and tension is taken off the forestay, unpin it.
Uncleat the furling control line and make sure there is plenty of slack.
With one end of a small 24" long line, tie it good to the furler drum. With the other end, tie a loose loop around the forward fixed mast pole raising line.
Crank the mast down.
As the mast travels down, the small loop/ furler will be pulled up the fixed line with no hands or any extra effort on your part.
It won't flop around, strike the deck, or become a problem in any way.

Works equally well when raising the mast. The small loop/furler just slides downhill.

There are other methods, but I quit looking once I did this.

Thanks Hardcrab,
I was searching for a method and yours is simple and practical. Thanks for the imput, and at the same time thanks Heath for maintaining the site!
Q1

Quebic 1,
You are very welcome.
I plan on making a "tool" for this job made from a small line tied into a 12"-15" loop and a carbiner hook, and keep it with the pole.
Simply "cats paw" the loop around the furler then snap the carbiner hook on the fixed line, then up or down it slides.

That is a good method hardcrab,

We currently just use the roller furling line to control the headstay when raising/lowering the mast. Leaving it rigged through the eye-lets on the fore deck.

As the mast is raised - keep tension and continue to pull in on the roller furling line (this keeps the furler in the air off the deck)
As the mast lowers - keep tension and continue top pay out furling line.

We also have a small sunbrella bag we tie around the furler to stop potential gelcoat chipping.

Wind Chime
Our results sound the same.
For those who singlehand the job, the method I described is fully automatic, requiring no extra effort, concern, or padding.

Both life and patience is to short to put up with the furler flopping all around scratching up the boat when such a simple solution is possible.

Hi hardcrab,

It think we may be talking about 2 different mast raising systems, and different deck mounting hardware on different boats. We have an and I believe you have the .

The system does not have the hand crank, but has a block and tackle instead that needs to be placed between the pole and the deck.

The attaches to a deck eye mount between the anchor locker and the fore hatch and does not go all the way to the bow. so in this case the sliding unit you speak of might not work with this system.

Yes, I refer to the M, the only one I have experience on.
Thanks for the explaining the difference.

I'm sorry to bother the folks who own the X.

that's cool

I sometimes get confused as to what other people are describing until I look at thier profile and realize "dough ... they have an , that's why my galley does not slide".

For what it's worth, I like the crank pole better. I have even though about doing a retrofit to ours, and if I do, I will most certianly use your idea.

I agree that life is too short to be repairing gelcoat chips

Here's a problem I have, The baby stays on the mast raising system, never seem to be tight enough and the mast drifts side to side a little while raising or lowering. would a pair of adjustable ratchett tie downs work?

Hardcrab wrote:Yes, I refer to the M, the only one I have experience on.
Thanks for the explaining the difference.

I'm sorry to bother the folks who own the X.

The M raising system works on the X as well. If you need to buy one, this is the one you'll get. It's easier to use and much safer. If it weren't so much money I'd update mine.

I can easily raise / lower the mast by myself by walking it up / down, but prefer to use the mast raising system. There is only about a 10 minute difference in time anyway. Investing in a mast raising kit will pay for itself in the safety & convenience of being able to deal with caught stays while the mast is at an angle.
I use a bungee cord for RF control while raising / lowering. One hook on the drum shackle, the other hook on the forestay attach hole (terminology?). Keeps the RF from wandering.