Raise mast on the water?

[JamesToBoot]

Found a ramp close to me that's high up on the list...

• its further away from the city and looks to be less congested
• has a park and bathrooms for the family to enjoy
• has an awesome dock down the side of the ramp
• is in a finger, off the main lake
• is paved
• is in a nice part of town
• is well kept
• its free (should be first, but who wants to look like a cheap behind)

Only one problem:

trees overhanging the ramp

So the question is, do any of you raise your masts while on the water. What issues have you faced and what modifications or solutions have you adopted?

[Russ]

I've done it.

I would pre-rig as much as possible. Attach stays etc. Once in a quiet slip with no waves, you can raise it.

I've lowered my mast in the slip to re-attach stuff on top of the mast. It's not that much different from on land. The most important thing is not to drop stuff overboard. Like the forestay pin.

I can't believe a boat ramp has trees over it. Well, yes I can. Our marina had trees next to the ramp that my mast could catch if I wasn't right down the middle. They have since cut the tree.

Who operates that ramp? Perhaps nudge them to cut the trees.

[JamesToBoot]

...The most important thing is not to drop stuff overboard. Like the forestay pin....
...
...Who operates that ramp? Perhaps nudge them to cut the trees...

Yeah that would be bad. I keep everything pretty much rigged... forestays and all... but loosing the mast rasing pole or the 3:1 main sheet also used for the mast raising would be real bad.

The ramp is owned and kept up by the power company who owns the lake. A though did cross our minds to send an email regarding the trees. Hesitant to make waves and it really is a nice place. I hate being that guy.

It would be cool if raising the mast on the water works out well!

[JamesToBoot]

the main thing I have to get dialed in are the baby stays....

on this 26S, the baby stays are lines connected around the mast using a cleat. Ive raised and lowered using a couple different ways to rig it, but I haven't decided on anything yet. Main issue is getting the tension correct when lowering (too loose and it flops around, too tight and it will rip out the padeyes as it tightens on the way down). Still working on a system both in my head and when practicing raising/lowing the mast.

[NiceAft]

There have been times where I had to raise the mast while on the water. It’s quite doable, as long as there is nothing around making a wake. It doesn’t take much of a wake to have you uttering some creative language.

[JamesToBoot]

There have been times where I had to raise the mast while on the water. It’s quite doable, as long as there is nothing around making a wake. It doesn’t take much of a wake to have you uttering some creative language.

One of the first things considered.... this appears to be a less used ramp. I believe its used mostly by fisherman and less so by recreational boaters from the city (there are bigger ramps with more parking closer to the city)

Its also in a finger, off the main lake. Depending on wind direction, should be pretty gentle.

Both reasons are things Ive considered as positives for making this attempt.

[NiceAft]

If I understand correctly; you have very few other choices, none of which are desirable.

Decide on one, pull the trigger, hope for the best.

[JamesToBoot]

If I understand correctly; you have very few other choices, none of which are desirable.

Decide on one, pull the trigger, hope for the best.

Less on my side of the lake seems like. Kinda just exploring anything to get me going as often as possible.

[kurz]

Most of time I rise the mast on the water. Dont bother, Do it!

[OverEasy]

Hi Jamestoboot!

A less frequently used ramp in good condition I’ve found to be my better choice. Less pressure and lower capacity for audience

Best Regards
Over Easy

[Ixneigh]

ive only ever put it up and down, once in the water, far from witnesses.

ix

[Be Free]

On the trailer, at the dock, or on the water: they all work and at times any one of them is best.

You need a dozen feet or so clear behind the boat when you raise the mast on the trailer. If you have the room and don't have anything overhead that's going to be the easiest way to go. The boat will be fairly motionless and if you drop a tool or a pin you can just pick it up off the ground. Shrouds and stays won't fall into the water (particularly salt water). This is my preferred method if the parking lot and the overhead stuff cooperates but in reality there are only a couple of spots in my usual territory I've found where it can be done. Sometimes the parking lot is too crowded, the drive (with the mast up) is too far, or there is just too much overhead stuff (like your ramp).

The next easiest is to launch the boat without the mast and then move to a dock. Tied to a dock you are almost as motionless as the trailer but you have to be very careful not to drop stuff. It has the added benefit of being able to step off the boat onto the dock and walk around if you choose to not climb over stuff on the cabin top. This is the way I do it about 99% of the time.

The hardest way is to raise the mast while you are anchored or drifting. It's just like doing it at the dock (except for the dock) but you have to be sure that you don't drop anything or fall in yourself. Wind, waves, and wakes can make it interesting but it is not hard once you get used to it. I've only needed to do this a couple of dozen times and (knock on wood) have not dropped anything or fallen overboard yet.

I was just about to post this and I remembered another variation. Launch the boat and then find a spot to beach it while you raise the mast. This works great in a lake but twice I've been careless (or too slow) and had the tide go out and leave me high and dry when doing this in the Gulf. I think I've learned my lesson and I won't get stranded again.

[pitchpolehobie]

I always launch now before raising my mast. And I lower on the water. I tie off to a dock and i make sure my CB and rudders are down and water ballast is in. Those all make the boat more stable when raising and lowering. Frankly it makes it easier for whoever is helping me -instead of having to climb up to a boat on trailer they can walk along a dock to shake out the shrouds. I used to do it on land and its fine if u have 2 young guys who can crawl up the back ladder but I think itd be a worse fall off the top of the trailer too if there is a misstep than into water.

[JamesToBoot]

Great encouragement guys,

Lots of good information and arguments for raising the mast on the water.

I think my favs were:

• stepping onto the dock instead of going up and down the ladder
• falling off the boat means falling in the water or to the dock, and not 6ft to the ground

Im am seriously considering it. Thanks for all the good comments showing its not only possible, but might even be preferable in some instances (if not necessary due to circumstances at the ramp)

[Russ]

I think my favs were:

• stepping onto the dock instead of going up and down the ladder
• falling off the boat means falling in the water or to the dock, and not 6ft to the ground

Those are big pluses. Many times I've felt a bit nervous about falling from the deck while on the trailer. It's a long hard fall.

Interesting that the power company owns the ramp. Power companies are usually out cutting limbs from power lines to prevent issues. Surely they have crews that could take out the trees over the ramp. I would seriously suggest it to them. If not for you, for the next sailboat captain who needs a decent ramp.

Then again, maybe the secluded aspect of the ramp is why it's not very busy.

You will find raising the mast on the water is not difficult at all, as long as the water is calm.