Raising Mast on X with an M pole setup

A forum for discussion of how to rig and tune your boat or kicker to achieve the best sailing performance.
User avatar
DaveB
Admiral
Posts: 2543
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2008 2:34 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Cape Coral, Florida,1997 Mac. X, 2013 Merc.50hp Big Foot, sold 9/10/15

Re: Raising Mast on X with an M pole setup

Post by DaveB »

I never had baby stays when I bought the boat 2 years ago. I do have new baby stays for a Compac 19 and a Potter 19 but they are not right length so I have been useing 1/8 braided line for baby stays for past 2 yrs. and work just great. The Bar stainless deck fitting has a 1 inch back and forth attachment and I just slide the 1/8 stay back when raiseing and all is well.
The Baby Stays are only to keep mast from going side to side during raiseing and lowering Mast as you know. There is no reason to have fixed baby stays while sailing and chafeing your Headsail running lines for a 105-110 Jib.
Quick release of these babystays are a must to prevent fray on Jib Sheet lines .
Dave
SailingontheRiva wrote:Thanks for the input Dave! I'm thinking about upgrading to the M style system because where we dock is past our marina and under a bridge, so every time we go out I have to raise the mast. Because the Admiral wants to review my competency as a sailor, she lets me do all the work. :) Using the effort of a two year old sounds gooooood! 8) Thanks!
User avatar
Duane Dunn, Allegro
Admiral
Posts: 2459
Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2004 6:41 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Bellevue, Wa '96 26x, Tohatsu 90 TLDI and Plug In Hybrid Electric drive
Contact:

Re: Raising Mast on X with an M pole setup

Post by Duane Dunn, Allegro »

There is no need for a quick release on the baby stays. When the mast is fully raised they both should be slightly slack. This lets you easily unscrew the vertical bolt that holds them in place and slide the bottom "L" bracket out from under the deck strap without need of a quick release. If yours' are tight when the mast is full up you have them to tight.

When adjusted correctly they will stay slack until the mast lays back enough during lowering to start to twist to one side, then one of the two will go tight and take up the side load so the mast goes straight back to the carrier. When the mast is in the carrier they will both also be slack, slightly more so than with the mast raised. They should be slack enough that you can easily remove the pivot bolt and roll the mast step to the bow for trailering. In the forward position they also should both be slightly slack.

Mine have been in place adjusted the same for the past 9 years. You don't have to remove them at any time if you don't want to. Some don't like their look or worry about tripping on them. For us they are just part of the boat and actually provide a useful handhold when working at the mast. I don't think there is really much of an issue with chafe on the sheets when they are left in place.

If my boat was in the water for long periods with the mast up I might remove them, but if you trailer I think it's best to never touch them. Your just adding one more task everytime you go up or down. I take every opportunity I can to eliminate tasks that are part of raising or lowering the mast.
SailingontheRiva
Just Enlisted
Posts: 22
Joined: Mon Oct 05, 2009 10:13 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Urbanna, Virginia

Re: Raising Mast on X with an M pole setup

Post by SailingontheRiva »

Great info guys...My boat came with the baby stays attached and I assumed they were part of the mast-up support. I've been sailing with them on for the past year, but it's good to know I can take them off if I want to-Maybe on a longer sail than a day trip. I'm really excited about this mod.....I know...I'm a simple guy but less stress is a good thing. I'll keep you all posted about the finished product. THanks
User avatar
DaveB
Admiral
Posts: 2543
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2008 2:34 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Cape Coral, Florida,1997 Mac. X, 2013 Merc.50hp Big Foot, sold 9/10/15

Re: Raising Mast on X with an M pole setup

Post by DaveB »

Duane, There is no L bracket on my Baby stays..why I know there is no quick release on Baby stays, what I was trying to say is one can use a 1/8 braided line for a baby stay and if it gets caught up in the small stainless bar ..just slide it aft. This only happens every 20-30 times I launch and just a quick flick of the hand brings it back.
Baby Stays are never tight but should have enough tightness bringing up and lowering Mast to not allow any sway in Mast.
I like the Nylon Baby stays so much going to rig them against the Mast so they don't Chafe the Jib lines.
Duane, if you know were I can get that L bracket be much appreciative, already tried Blue Waters and a bunch others. I have seen it with a bolt going into the deck, looks like a peace of crap to me.
I could probably do better with a L shape going under the lip and quick release so it doesn't chafe the Jib sheets.
Dave
Duane Dunn, Allegro wrote:There is no need for a quick release on the baby stays. When the mast is fully raised they both should be slightly slack. This lets you easily unscrew the vertical bolt that holds them in place and slide the bottom "L" bracket out from under the deck strap without need of a quick release. If yours' are tight when the mast is full up you have them to tight.

When adjusted correctly they will stay slack until the mast lays back enough during lowering to start to twist to one side, then one of the two will go tight and take up the side load so the mast goes straight back to the carrier. When the mast is in the carrier they will both also be slack, slightly more so than with the mast raised. They should be slack enough that you can easily remove the pivot bolt and roll the mast step to the bow for trailering. In the forward position they also should both be slightly slack.

Mine have been in place adjusted the same for the past 9 years. You don't have to remove them at any time if you don't want to. Some don't like their look or worry about tripping on them. For us they are just part of the boat and actually provide a useful handhold when working at the mast. I don't think there is really much of an issue with chafe on the sheets when they are left in place.

If my boat was in the water for long periods with the mast up I might remove them, but if you trailer I think it's best to never touch them. Your just adding one more task everytime you go up or down. I take every opportunity I can to eliminate tasks that are part of raising or lowering the mast.
Kelly Hanson East
Admiral
Posts: 1786
Joined: Sat Apr 19, 2008 2:35 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Kelly Hanson Marine........Mac 26M Dealer......Freedom Boat Works

Re: Raising Mast on X with an M pole setup

Post by Kelly Hanson East »

Dave - I have the tang on the deck for the babystays, and have tried to find that piece for some time. Eventually Ill buy a piece of SS and bend/drill it so spec.

My need is more mundane - I want the tang to put on my captains seat to hold my BBQ foot in place of course

NO ORANGE JUICE/TANG JOKES PLEASE (whew - headed that one off at the pass....)
Capt Capsize
Deckhand
Posts: 26
Joined: Sun Jul 20, 2008 6:42 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: New Mexico 97X with 50Hp Nissan

Re: Raising Mast on X with an M pole setup

Post by Capt Capsize »

I lost one of the L brackets while trailering and Blue Water Yachts had a exact replacement part for my X, you might check. It is easier to buy than fabricate, usually.
I also copied the M gin pole by adding a $20 winch to my pole. Make single handed raising and lowering a breeze. My only complaint is the mast crutch on the pedestal is slightly ahead of the mast’s center of gravity. That makes pinning the hinge difficult.
User avatar
Duane Dunn, Allegro
Admiral
Posts: 2459
Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2004 6:41 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Bellevue, Wa '96 26x, Tohatsu 90 TLDI and Plug In Hybrid Electric drive
Contact:

Re: Raising Mast on X with an M pole setup

Post by Duane Dunn, Allegro »

This is the factory L Bracket for the bottom of the baby stays, available at BWY for $6.50

Image

The Baby Stays, $20.00

Image

And the deck strap, $8.00

Image
User avatar
Duane Dunn, Allegro
Admiral
Posts: 2459
Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2004 6:41 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Bellevue, Wa '96 26x, Tohatsu 90 TLDI and Plug In Hybrid Electric drive
Contact:

Re: Raising Mast on X with an M pole setup

Post by Duane Dunn, Allegro »

Also in another thread there was talk of the Bow Pin many of us use from BWY. Here it is, $5.00

Image

I drilled the handle part for a tether to the furler, and use a larger 1" ring ding for easy handling.
User avatar
DaveB
Admiral
Posts: 2543
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2008 2:34 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Cape Coral, Florida,1997 Mac. X, 2013 Merc.50hp Big Foot, sold 9/10/15

Re: Raising Mast on X with an M pole setup

Post by DaveB »

Thanks Duane, I have been looking for the l bracket at BWY and never found them on their site.
Dave
Duane Dunn, Allegro wrote:This is the factory L Bracket for the bottom of the baby stays, available at BWY for $6.50

Image

The Baby Stays, $20.00

Image

And the deck strap, $8.00

Image
User avatar
puggsy
Captain
Posts: 571
Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2008 1:30 am
Sailboat: Venture 25
Location: MACLESS but not quite BOATLESS in Perth Western Australia

Re: Raising Mast on X with an M pole setup

Post by puggsy »

Here's a photo of my version of the :macm: mast raising system...

Image

Image

Built onto the SEA EAGLE I am refurbishing...
Note that I have replaced the basic mast base with a strong tabernacle with a high hinge point...a small amout of mast sticks out forward when it is lowered...and with the SEA EAGLE being 20 ft., only 1.5 meters sticks out over the stern,avoiding the need to disconnect the 7 meter mast at the tabernacle AT ALL...
A fixed stern rail roller holds the mast there and it clears the cabin top by only a few inches, which can be buffered with a sponge.
The rope hanging vertical from the top of the pole should be tied tight to the point of the bow...should have done that before I took the photo...
User avatar
puggsy
Captain
Posts: 571
Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2008 1:30 am
Sailboat: Venture 25
Location: MACLESS but not quite BOATLESS in Perth Western Australia

Re: Raising Mast on X with an M pole setup

Post by puggsy »

Update on my latest project...one day i may be able to return to the :macm:

On a 20 ft. SEA EAGLE 70's vintage or earlier...

http://s261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72 ... ING001.jpg

It is a bit of a steal off the :macm: ...
User avatar
Rick Westlake
Captain
Posts: 778
Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2007 4:05 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Casa Rio Marina, Mayo, MD; MacGregor 26X, "Bossa Nova" - Bristol 29.9 "Halcyon"
Contact:

Re: Raising Mast on X with an M pole setup

Post by Rick Westlake »

Kelly Hanson East wrote:Dave - I have the tang on the deck for the babystays, and have tried to find that piece for some time. Eventually Ill buy a piece of SS and bend/drill it so spec.

My need is more mundane - I want the tang to put on my captains seat to hold my BBQ foot in place of course

NO ORANGE JUICE/TANG JOKES PLEASE (whew - headed that one off at the pass....)
OK, no juice jokes. But how did you barbecue your foot? :D
K9Kampers
Admiral
Posts: 2441
Joined: Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:32 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: NH, former 26X owner

Re: Raising Mast on X with an M pole setup

Post by K9Kampers »

Rick Westlake wrote:
Kelly Hanson East wrote:Dave - I have the tang on the deck for the babystays, and have tried to find that piece for some time. Eventually Ill buy a piece of SS and bend/drill it so spec.

My need is more mundane - I want the tang to put on my captains seat to hold my BBQ foot in place of course

NO ORANGE JUICE/TANG JOKES PLEASE (whew - headed that one off at the pass....)
OK, no juice jokes. But how did you barbecue your foot? :D
And your captain is OK with this?! :o
User avatar
DaveB
Admiral
Posts: 2543
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2008 2:34 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Cape Coral, Florida,1997 Mac. X, 2013 Merc.50hp Big Foot, sold 9/10/15

Re: Raising Mast on X with an M pole setup

Post by DaveB »

Thats why I only used it once, to see if it works. Takes us 15 min. to set up and launch and same time to put down. If I was to use the Gin pole would take me another 10 min. to set up.
I have it only for single handle.
Dave
Retcoastie wrote:But Dave, most of us don't have a "Teresa" to help. :P :P :P
User avatar
Rick Westlake
Captain
Posts: 778
Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2007 4:05 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Casa Rio Marina, Mayo, MD; MacGregor 26X, "Bossa Nova" - Bristol 29.9 "Halcyon"
Contact:

Re: Raising Mast on X with an M pole setup

Post by Rick Westlake »

K9Kampers wrote:
Rick Westlake wrote:
Kelly Hanson East wrote:Dave - I have the tang on the deck for the babystays, and have tried to find that piece for some time. Eventually Ill buy a piece of SS and bend/drill it so spec.

My need is more mundane - I want the tang to put on my captains seat to hold my BBQ foot in place of course

NO ORANGE JUICE/TANG JOKES PLEASE (whew - headed that one off at the pass....)
OK, no juice jokes. But how did you barbecue your foot? :D
And your captain is OK with this?! :o
I am the captain. I don't have an admiral. I have had gout, and I'm pretty sure a barbecued foot would feel much the same.

(Talk about hijacking a thread!) :D :D :D
Post Reply