MacGregorSailors.com

This isn't the full 26X speedy rigging video but it shows how we currently rig and raise the mast on our 26M.

When rushing to just get on the water fast, it takes us 20-25 minutes. I am not sure I can go much faster.
Normally, we take our time and rig in about 35-40 minutes.

https://youtu.be/yIUrrjeZsnc

Doug & Angie (you can tell us apart on the video. She's the pretty one. I'm the purdy one.)
Galactica 26M

Great video, Doug!

I will use some of these rigging mods for this season. I really like the idea of using a carabiner on the MRS.

I just bought some carabiners for my MRS.

Just make sure they're strong enough. I calculate something like 350 lb max tension load on both the and the system, at the attachment points, but that's a static figure. Add some bouncing in there (impact), and you could be double or triple that. Most rigging equipment in the lifting world (hooks, chains, shackles, master links) is designed for 4:1 or more on rated capacity, depending on the item, and that's not a bad approach to use with something that could fall and kill someone. Like a mast.

Just sayin', is all.

RussMT wrote:I just bought some carabiners for my MRS.

Can you tell us where you got them and what kind they are? I did a quick search on Amazon for "caribeaner stainless" and came up with nothing usable.

Jeff

C Buchs wrote:

RussMT wrote:I just bought some carabiners for my MRS.

Can you tell us where you got them and what kind they are? I did a quick search on Amazon for "caribeaner stainless" and came up with nothing usable.

Jeff

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H1 ... VFAYDI0NY7

Tomfoolery wrote:Just make sure they're strong enough. I calculate something like 350 lb max tension load on both the and the system, at the attachment points, but that's a static figure. Add some bouncing in there (impact), and you could be double or triple that. Most rigging equipment in the lifting world (hooks, chains, shackles, master links) is designed for 4:1 or more on rated capacity, depending on the item, and that's not a bad approach to use with something that could fall and kill someone. Like a mast.

Just sayin', is all.

Tom, you make a good point. Which is why I chose stainless steel vs. cheapo aluminum.

The seller on Amazon claims the weight limit is 44o lbs. Do you think this is sufficient? Should I trust the seller?
The side stays don't seem to take much weight. In fact, I try to keep the weight off them. However the main attachment point to the tang, that thing is like a piano string. Maybe best to not use them there.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H1 ... VFAYDI0NY7

RussMT wrote:

C Buchs wrote:

RussMT wrote:I just bought some carabiners for my MRS.

Can you tell us where you got them and what kind they are? I did a quick search on Amazon for "caribeaner stainless" and came up with nothing usable.

Jeff

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H1 ... VFAYDI0NY7

So Amazon wants me to spell carabiner correctly. Google Chrome has it underlined like I still have it wrong. Life is hard for creative spellers

Jeff

Maybe these snap shackles would be better https://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/3445-1v0.htm

These don't seem to have a rating either. I've got one where my main sheet attaches to the helm. On an accidental jibe, mine has come loose, but there was a lot of shock load in that situation.

Harken has a max working load rating on theirs, but they're a lot more expensive

Jeff

I would be reluctant to use them for the main load line myself. I'm a big chicken scratch, I know, but that's how it is. But I would use them on the baby stays, if mine were that style.

I use a conventional 'anchor' shackle on both ends of my MRS, with the bottom one (to the deck eye strap) having a captive pin so I can't lose it. Takes only a few seconds to spin the pin in, so I never felt the need for a snap shackle or carabiner. The other end stays with the pole all the time, so no extra time there.

WM sells load rated carabiners, but the 3-1/8" version is around $35. Each. 450 lb SWL. https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-mar ... 60_002_003

A 1/4" SS anchor (style) shackle from WM has a 1000 lb SWL and is only $11. A little 3/16" version is only $5 and has a 650 lb SWL. They're claimed to have a 6:1 factor of safety. https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-mar ... ecordNum=9

Well, maybe it would be the easiest to fix some 8mm line at the end of the MRS stays (with cableties). The you fix it with a knot at the stanchion.
The advantage would be: Easy fix, easy release, easy adjust of the length, absorbing shock loads.

What's wrong with it?

Have to confess that I also use carabines. But it is not as easy to use as it looks. Often the stays gets to short and the you have to fiddle around.

C Buchs wrote:
So Amazon wants me to spell carabiner correctly. Google Chrome has it underlined like I still have it wrong. Life is hard for creative spellers

Jeff

I noticed that also. Chrome (or was it Amazon) thinks carabiner is misspelled. I had to check several times to see if something was wrong with me.

--Russ

Tomfoolery wrote:I would be reluctant to use them for the main load line myself. I'm a big chicken scratch, I know, but that's how it is. But I would use them on the baby stays, if mine were that style.

I agree. I'm chicken also and don't want to see my mast come crashing down to save 5 seconds to turn a pin on a shackle.

The baby stays; I might use them there.

--Russ

Doug W wrote:This isn't the full 26X speedy rigging video but it shows how we currently rig and raise the mast on our 26M.

When rushing to just get on the water fast, it takes us 20-25 minutes. I am not sure I can go much faster.
Normally, we take our time and rig in about 35-40 minutes.

https://youtu.be/yIUrrjeZsnc

Doug & Angie (you can tell us apart on the video. She's the pretty one. I'm the purdy one.)
Galactica 26M Hull#2569

It's always interesting to watch someone else's improvised approach.
Suggestion: You might want to investigate a Johnson quick release lever, especially if you tension the stays with a Loos gauge.

Tomfoolery wrote:Just make sure they're strong enough.

That was one of my first thoughts when I first experimented with them. That is why my primary stainless steel carabineer has load rating over 500lbs. The smaller carabineer on the each baby stay have a 400lb capaicity but they shouldn't be taking the full load of the mast--well if I am doing things right!

I also request anybody up on deck while the mast is going up or down to not stand directly below it if at all possible--but I did that with the original anchor bolts on the MRS too.

Doug