Mast raising system

Mark Prouty · Post by **Mark Prouty** » Sun Jul 11, 2004 12:37 pm

I will be trailering alot and storing my Mac 26Xhe backyard. Last weekend, I tried to raise the myself and found it very difficult. I don't have instructions, but I'm going to try to figure out the mast raising system. Watching both the MacGregor tape and Speedy Rigger, it appears to be easy to just pull the mast up alone.

Question:
What method do most owners use to raise the mast?

Jeff S · Post by **Jeff S** » Sun Jul 11, 2004 1:26 pm

Mark,

I have the optional mast raising system. I can do it single handed with that. I have a RF jib attached and that makes the mast heavier, plus the jib moves around making the first portion of raising the mast very very difficult without the maist raising system. It would be nice to be able to step the mast like in the video, but he doesn't have the foresail attached.

Did you try it with a RF foresail? That might be why it was a 2 person job.

Jeff S

Paul S · Post by **Paul S** » Sun Jul 11, 2004 2:03 pm

Mark Prouty wrote:I will be trailering alot and storing my Mac 26Xhe backyard. Last weekend, I tried to raise the myself and found it very difficult. I don't have instructions, but I'm going to try to figure out the mast raising system. Watching both the MacGregor tape and Speedy Rigger, it appears to be easy to just pull the mast up alone.

Question:
What method do most owners use to raise the mast?

I can raise the mast on our M in no time. I can do everything, including the roller from the topside. The mast raiser is awesome, at least on the M (with the brake winch).

I can't imagine raising it without the mast raiser, especially with the roller. I like the safety factor that if I let go of the crank, the mast won't fall. Very good control of the ascent and descent of the mast.

This is one thing Macgregor got right.

Paul

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Sun Jul 11, 2004 2:27 pm

Mark,
Try our website.
I have a page up re: mast raising. Its a little slim on pics because I just started it when sailing season struck.

It should still give you a good idea how the mast raising system works and is assembled.

Mostly it represents how I do it but there is as many ways to do it as there are Mac sailors.

I leave the furling line through the padeye and hold it in my control hand. This keeps the drum from beating on your deck. When raising I have it draped over my elbow and keep it taught to pull the drum forward.

I just use my main sheet, it has stainless turnbuckles for quick disconnect. I mount it upside down so the cleat is on top. Makes it easier to control. Some Mac owners have a block and tackle that will reach back to the winch. Ive been informed that with the baby stays and the winch 1 person can do it near effortlessly. (Ill have to try that.)

Erik Hardtle · Post by **Erik Hardtle** » Sun Jul 11, 2004 6:31 pm

I use to use the

factory raising kit because I have the genoa w/sun cover roller furled.... makes it much safer putting up the mast.

I then saw how the

raising kit works and modified my own... I find the

kit to be easier to use.

Check out the details on my website MODIFICATIONS section... click on the WWW button below.

mark,97x · Post by **mark,97x** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 7:59 am

Erik: great mod's think i will "borrow some for my

" thanks for posting your site

Jesse Days Pacific Star 2 · Wed Jul 14, 2004 8:06 am

Mark:

I use the 'wife helps me method!'

Jesse

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 1:28 pm

I used to use the "Wife helps me system" till they put in hiking trails at our marina and she learned about fishing.

Now she takes off with the kids and dogs or leans onto the boat and says " give me my fishing pole"

Mark Prouty · Post by **Mark Prouty** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 8:05 pm

This is really slick:

26M mast raising system on 26X

Look familiar Erik? Your website had incredible instructions

Paul S · Post by **Paul S** » Fri Aug 06, 2004 6:04 am

Mark Prouty wrote:This is really slick:

26M mast raising system on 26X

So far the mast raising system is my favorite option on the M. It is so far the only thing that has not let me down that came from the dealer or factory!

Boat is great, don't get me wrong, but the M mast raiser rocks!

Paul

Tahoe Jack · Post by **Tahoe Jack** » Fri Aug 06, 2004 8:23 pm

We went with the Eric Hardtle mod on my 2001 26x....used some heavy biners in lieu of the snap shackles...work well, much cheaper. Found the WM winch may have changed...chose a Harbor Freight model...double gears, double action, and better price....but hull of a great mod. Easily handle mast and furler....no problems...even leave it mounted. Jack

Dimitri-2000X-Tampa · Post by **Dimitri-2000X-Tampa** » Sun Aug 08, 2004 6:41 am

Jack, how much tension can those "biners" take? I know that when I winch that thing tight enough to pin the forestay, you could play a tune on the raising line it is so tight. Just a word of caution...I would want to make sure that the hardware was at least as strong as the rope and that may be why snap shackles cost more. Although I guess at a certain size, they may be as strong as a smaller snap shackle.

Jack O'Brien · Post by **Jack O'Brien** » Sun Aug 08, 2004 8:51 pm

How long is that M mast raising pole?
Are the "baby stays" attached to the gin pole instead of the mast?

Erik's / Mark's photo of the M raiser shows a "gin pole" 7 or 8 feet long (unless the guy at the winch is a midget). This now explains to me why the M raiser is easier than the X as, I'm guessing, the X pole is only about 6 feet. And probably the M winch has more mechanical advantage than the X's sheet winches.

I bungie the X gin pole to the mast to hold the furler foil and drum when trailering and stow it in the aft berth when underway. Seems it would be more awkward if it were a couple feet longer and had a winch attached to it. I can see how, if one is single-handing, the pole-mounted winch saves going back and forth to the cockpit to use the sheet winch.

Tahoe Jack · Post by **Tahoe Jack** » Sun Aug 08, 2004 9:44 pm

Dimitri....we used the stock 26x pole, did an oak shim ..flat one side, curved to match pole on the other...also drilled out the winch handle spindle, put in a SS bolt, and drilled it for a quick clip so ..when stored, I reverse the handle...and had a Sunbrella-velcro cover done for the winch. Re the biners....we went macho SS....don't recall the rating, but shank is as big as I can clip into the deck loop...overall size must be 3" or so... expect no problems. Have a pic, but haven't picked up on how to post one yet. Summer in Tahoe...Reno near 100, and near 90 at the lake!
Jack

Frank C · Post by **Frank C** » Mon Aug 09, 2004 5:15 pm

Jack O'Brien wrote:How long is that M mast raising pole?
Are the "baby stays" attached to the gin pole instead of the mast?

Erik's / Mark's photo of the M raiser shows a "gin pole" 7 or 8 feet long (unless the guy at the winch is a midget). This now explains to me why the M raiser is easier than the X as, I'm guessing, the X pole is only about 6 feet. ....

Jack,
Just guessing that photo shows the stock gin pole for a 26X. Remember that Eric is standing on the fore deck, quite a bit lower than the mast step.

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