Had an annoying conversation last week. Telling someone about my recent river cruise, I was asked about how I get the mast off, or back on. I replied that I get the wife to help mostly but sometimes just do it myself. He laughed and didn't seem to believe me I replied that I was serious and in fact I raise it with one hand! I think he thought I was a BS artist Since I needed to put the mast back on anyway, I thought I would film it so I can direct any future disbelievers to it
The X doesn't have the back arch so instead of putting the mast over the side I put a step ladder behind the boat about 15 feet and roll the mast back on the support roller that the X has coming out of the steering console. Once the back (top) end of the mast is over the ladder I set it down on the ladder and support roller and then move from up on the boat down to the ground. From the ground continue to roll it backwards until the front (bottom) of the mast is right at the support roller. At that point I lift the mast up and carry it to where I store it.
I set the step ladder on the starboard side rear aligned with the console. I then carry the mast (grunt!!) grasping it in the center and then lift it and tilt it downward to my right while lifting it to my left and set it on top of the ladder. Pause for a moment to rest. Lift it again from the ladder and work it onto the crutch on the console. Have another step ladder forward, previously placed, and lift the mast while stepping on the ladder and work the mast upwards to topside on the cabin.
My days of hefting things like a mast are long gone. I can barely lift my arms due to worn out shoulder joints. I rarely have my two boys here, and my 85 YO FIL is very helpful, but I can't ask him to do what I can't. I need new shoulders, but that's another story.
So I just use my engine hoist. Takes only a couple of minutes to set up, and I keep the rigging on the mast when it's in storage.
Tomfoolery wrote:My days of hefting things like a mast are long gone. I can barely lift my arms due to worn out shoulder joints. I rarely have my two boys here, and my 85 YO FIL is very helpful, but I can't ask him to do what I can't. I need new shoulders, but that's another story.
So I just use my engine hoist. Takes only a couple of minutes to set up, and I keep the rigging on the mast when it's in storage.
Just making due with what I have on-hand.
Very nice! Why don't you leave the mast on during storage?
Tomfoolery wrote:My days of hefting things like a mast are long gone. I can barely lift my arms due to worn out shoulder joints. I rarely have my two boys here, and my 85 YO FIL is very helpful, but I can't ask him to do what I can't. I need new shoulders, but that's another story.
So I just use my engine hoist. Takes only a couple of minutes to set up, and I keep the rigging on the mast when it's in storage.
Just making due with what I have on-hand.
Very nice! Why don't you leave the mast on during storage?
Tomfoolery wrote:My days of hefting things like a mast are long gone. I can barely lift my arms due to worn out shoulder joints. I rarely have my two boys here, and my 85 YO FIL is very helpful, but I can't ask him to do what I can't. I need new shoulders, but that's another story.
So I just use my engine hoist. Takes only a couple of minutes to set up, and I keep the rigging on the mast when it's in storage.
Just making due with what I have on-hand.
Very nice! Why don't you leave the mast on during storage?
Rochester.
I don't get it. Im near Buffalo and I leave it on the boat when stored. They got some anti-mast law in Rochester?
Tomfoolery wrote:My days of hefting things like a mast are long gone. I can barely lift my arms due to worn out shoulder joints. I rarely have my two boys here, and my 85 YO FIL is very helpful, but I can't ask him to do what I can't. I need new shoulders, but that's another story.
So I just use my engine hoist. Takes only a couple of minutes to set up, and I keep the rigging on the mast when it's in storage.
Just making due with what I have on-hand.
Very nice! Why don't you leave the mast on during storage?
Trawler mode. It's a much nicer boat for extended periods in the Erie Canal without the mast on it. I store it in the garage, hanging off the ceiling. Block and fall on each end makes that part easy.
I replied that I was serious and in fact I raise it with one hand! 
I think he thought I was a BS artist 
Since I needed to put the mast back on anyway, I thought I would film it so I can direct any future disbelievers to it 
