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Looking at the pic, it appears the starboard spreader holder is incorrectly rotated 90 degrees clockwise. This is also reflected by the shroud position at the end of the spreader. The spreaders are hinged to come forward while raising the mast.
Rotate that spreader holder 90 degrees counter clockwise to match the port side. The connecting hinge bolt should be parallel with the mast. Also the inner shroud connecter here is rotated 90 degrees. This prevents full extention of that shroud thus not allowing the mast to go full forward. Straighten these and I think all will go in place. Good luck.

That starboard spreader is hanging mighty low. Also, the backstay may be slack, but it's not by much, though I don't know how much you're missing the forestay connection at this point.

I'd suggest you read the section in the manual about setting up the shrouds. http://www.macgregorsailors.com/manuals ... Manual.pdf Notice that the spreaders should tilt upward, with the same angle to the shroud above and below; this will remove any tendency for the spreader to walk up or down the shroud, but the end cap should also clamp the wire. It looks in the photo that it's slid quite a distance down the shroud.

You didn't answer the question, though - what exactly is stopping it from going up further? The two lower stays? One lower and one upper?

And just because the manual says the mast should be at 90 deg. to the waterline doesn't mean the PO (previous owner) had it set up that way. There could be a long line of PO's who've, um, 'customized' that boat before you got it.

Turn starboard spreader counter clockwise 90 degrees. The tang attach to the lower shroud should be pointing down. Loosen through bolt on mast if necessary then retighten just snug. I think this will solve the problem. Send pic after adjustment. Boat seems to be in good shape. What year/hull #. Keep us posted. Fair Winds and Full Sails....Old Salt.

When the mast is vertical one spreader moves front to back and one moves up and down so something is wrong lol. The one the moves up and down also causes the side stay to be a few inches shorteR So I figured that was the issue. Should the spreaders be tight to the mast or should they rotate around?

See my post. I think it will fix it.

Ok we finally got the mast up and everything hooked into place.


Next questions is how should the stern connection be I have no clue how to use this. I can't shut it. And can't move the pin any lower in the holes.

Mcadieux wrote:Ok we finally got the mast up and everything hooked into place.

So what was wrong that's now right?

Mcadieux wrote:Next questions is how should the stern connection be I have no clue how to use this. I can't shut it. And can't move the pin any lower in the holes.

Use the upper hole in the stern fitting. Which itself is odd, since that's a stem (bow) fitting. But it is what it is. Use the upper hole. Then adjust the backstay termination in the Johnson lever so it tensions properly.

Thanks everyone for all the help. It turned out the spreader was rotated 90deg which was making the starboard sidesray to short. We made a gin pole out of a 2x4 and using the boom Vang can easily lift the mast. I also replaced two of the bolts that hold the metal clips for the pop top support rods with eye bolts. Now I can run some tie down straps from there to the main sheet tied about 5 feet up the mast. Makes perfect baby stays and I can easily adjust the tension as we raise and lower. Next step is learning how to connect and rig the boom. One step at a time lol

Hooray. Problem solved. Now to throw another one atcha. Consider splitting the backstay and adding an adjuster. First, the backstay will be centered, second, you can adjust the tension depending on point of sail. I'm jus' sayin' Fair Winds and Full Sails...

Im glad you and the little lady were finally able to get it up and keep it there.

At least you finally got it up and everything seems to be in order. Mine seems to be rarely ever up and even when it is, it seems to be down 5 minutes later,,,, seem to get less and less sailing in these days My admiral settled with a Mac, but sometimes I think she would have preferred to marry a motorboat man rather than a sailor.

Mac26Mpaul wrote:At least you finally got it up and everything seems to be in order. Mine seems to be rarely ever up and even when it is, it seems to be down 5 minutes later,,,, seem to get less and less sailing in these days My admiral settled with a Mac, but sometimes I think she would have preferred to marry a motorboat man rather than a sailor.

In the Mac she got the best of both worlds

Forecast is for the horrible 30Knt plus winds we have had for the last 10 days to drop for the weekend, so we will at long last get a chance to get her wet

Been little if any wind around here Mike, blue skies and 27 degree Celsius days. Winter in about three weeks and we are going to do a Mastless Tweed River cruise that first weekend of June - unless our plans get ruined again by our "lovely" 21 year old neighbour who has a habit of wrecking our holidays....

Will be sure to put a video on Youtube for all you poor Mexicans Mike (Translation: In Australian, Mexicans means Victorians )

We actually put her in the water the other day, but we have had nothing but dense fog. Couldn't even see the end of the boat ramp.

Another question about our rigging. We can get the mast up and everything looking good, but I still Cannot close the rear stay adjuster. How much force should it take, I'm afraid to break It. If I can't close it and everything is tight can it be used in the open Position?