First time taking down the mast

[green]

I took down the mast this morning for the first time. Mostly a success. Two questions:

1. Is there a trick to removing the jib furler pin? It stuck a bit.

2. What do you do with the spreaders? I bent the starboard side spreader when it was resting on the lifelines. Ended up unbolting each spreader from the mast. Is there another option?

2005

[Jimmyt]

I took down the mast this morning for the first time. Mostly a success. Two questions:

1. Is there a trick to removing the jib furler pin? It stuck a bit.

2. What do you do with the spreaders? I bent the starboard side spreader when it was resting on the lifelines. Ended up unbolting each spreader from the mast. Is there another option?

2005

Pinning and unpinning the forestay is usually difficult- particularly solo. If you have a buddy that can pull down on the Furler while you pin or unpin it, that helps. Ordering the longer pin with the bigger handle does make it easier, but still a bit of a wrestling match.

The lifeline release kit from BWYachts allows you to drop the lifelines. I unpin the spreaders at the pivot point (pin and ring-ding) and lay them flat on the lifelines. Pipe insulation keeps the lifelines from marring the spreaders.


The stainless hitch pins are quick and handy for various rigging applications also. For instance, the boom/gooseneck...



I like the long quick pins also. Have them at the mast base also...



This guy has some interesting approaches you may find helpful.. although unpinning the spreaders or releasing the lifelines would be quicker than unbolting the spreaders.

I would also caution AGAINST pulling sideways on your mast raising system to keep the mast centered. The bottom brackets of the mast raising pole will deform and drop your rig if you overload them using side force.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=o_u1MRMYzgo

[Jimmyt]

I would also recommend putting clear (or semi clear) tubing over your shroud adjusters to keep them from folding and twisting when you are taking the mast up and down. One of the many ideas I got from macgregorsailors.com.

[OverEasy]

Hi JimmyT!

Great suggestions!
Really like your mast set-up for traveling. Very nice!
The boom mainsail Furler arrangement looks nice too. Did you do that yourself or was it a purchased item?

Thank you for sharing!

Best Regards
Over Easy

[Jimmyt]

The boom Furler was created by Mike Inmon, one of the Macgregor dealers. It was purchased with the new boat in 2013, by the previous owner. Great for quick setup/tear down, but pretty much a C- for sail shape (for me so far). There were some rigging issues that have needed correction, and operational issues that I'm having to figure out. So far, the convenience aspects have kept it on the boat. The sail shape, and difficulty furling, haven't been much of a problem. I'm not racing, and I only furl once when I'm through sailing. Since I learned to raise the back of the boom when furling, it has improved a bit.

The biggest issue I have right now is, the sail cut doesn't seem to be right for the boom location. The luff appears to be about 6 inches too long, leaving me a bag at the mandrel. I'm into a few minor adjustments to my mast raising process right now, but the main sail will be my next focus.

Note the extra short lines at the tack where one of my wind whispering buddies was trying to get a little better shape...

[OverEasy]

Hi JimmyT

Thank you for sharing your perspective and photos of your furling main sail!

It appears the benefits are kinda worth the relatively small performance loss issue. Not having to climb on the cabin to hoist or drop the main sail is a big benefit (or at least is a benefit from my perspective as a less than as spry as I used to be person ).

I’m not a sail shape expert by any means but you appear to be on the right track about lowering the gooseneck…or somehow getting a couple of “mini reefing ties” added to take up the excess as needed (so long as that wouldn’t interfere with the furling function).

Again, Thanks

Best Regards
Over Easy

[leefrankpierce]

1st of all, you are in good company having bent spreaders, dropped the mast, twice... etc....

Many things I picked up from this forum help.
1. I added a lever tensioner to the forestay. This lets me loosen the thing to get the pin out, but it also makes the forestay longer so I had to reposition where the forestay hits the mast, which messes up the sail geometry.
2. Many people use quick release pins for the spreaders (on a 26X they are stationary in sockets) Not sure if an M can do that.
3. I am only on lakes, removed my "safety lines" because they caused me soo much headaches when trailering.
4. On my 26X I converted to the 26M style mast raising system so I could crank the mast with a winch. It also lets me pull some tension on the sidestays to give me max room on my forstay to pin or un-pin.
5. I do not remove my boom. I remove the main sail and then lift the boom to the vert. position and tie to the mast before I lower the mast.
6. Converted to sliders.
7. Added a lines aft so I could raise the mainsail from cockpit. Considering a downhaul.
8. Tubing over the shrouds is a great idea. I removed mine not realizing what they were doing for me. Plan on putting them back on.

Will probably think of some other things that may or may not apply to your M.
Keep asking questions.

[DaveC426913]

Others seem to have covered the essentials so I'll just add a few deets about forestay detachment:

1. If you're using the mainsheet tackle as the MRS, it has a cam cleat on the "fiddle" **. You can hike the mast forward to give it some slack and then lock it down with the cam cleat.

2. If that's not enough (it isn't for me), lash a dockline around the drum, tension it, and cleat it off on the bow cleat(s).

**

[Highlander]

I resolved the life line issue with pelican hooks
https://www.jamestowndistributors.com/p ... tail/58422




added a turnbuckle right turn 1/4" toggle

https://victory-products.com/collection ... /ks7350-07
1/4" quick link

https://victory-products.com/collection ... 1120919821
eye becket strap
I,m pretty sure my sizes a correct I,ll have to go down to the boat later & check , these r all s/S fittings marine grade
I kept the original adjustable straps figured they,ll come in handy for something one day
J
PS this set up requires no alterations to the lifeline just remove old set up & replace with this set up

[Be Free]

I resolved the life line issue with pelican hooks
https://www.jamestowndistributors.com/p ... tail/58422




added a turnbuckle right turn 1/4" toggle

https://victory-products.com/collection ... /ks7350-07
1/4" quick link

https://victory-products.com/collection ... 1120919821
eye becket strap
I,m pretty sure my sizes a correct I,ll have to go down to the boat later & check , these r all s/S fittings marine grade
I kept the original adjustable straps figured they,ll come in handy for something one day
J
PS this set up requires no alterations to the lifeline just remove old set up & replace with this set up

Same here except mine use the same adjusters that are used on the stays. I disconnect them when raising or lowering the mast so the lifelines do not interfere with the spreaders.

[OverEasy]

We changed out the stay bolts with SST quick release “D” pins … MUCH EASIER to disconnect the stays and lash them to the mast.
Really like the reminder to use the Tygon tubing on the adjusters.

We originally had a section of PVC gutter to help support the Furler that lashed to the mast for transit.
We improved upon it by making a wooden one that fit better and offered more support.
Our next iteration will be schedule 40 PVC PIPE split lengthwise and smooth bolted together and lightly padded so that it clips to the mast with a couple locking over-center latches. (It’s a 2023-2024 winter project that we’ll post in the mods section when we get back to it…)

Great suggestions being put forth and explained!
Thank you!

Best Regards
Over Easy

[DaveC426913]

We changed out the stay bolts with SST quick release “D” pins … MUCH EASIER to disconnect the stays and lash them to the mast.

What does this look like?

We originally had a section of PVC gutter to help support the Furler that lashed to the mast for transit.
We improved upon it by making a wooden one that fit better and offered more support.

I am always weighing the usefulness of a custom widget against having one more piece of equipment that needs to be stored over-season.
I use all my dock lines and running rigging to lash my furler to the mast. Probably doesn't help the rigging last long.

Then again, the farthest my boat travels on its trailer is from the dockside crane to the club parking lot.

[OverEasy]

Hi DaveC426913

Yup
We’ll get pictures posted of both the furler support wooden approach and the PVC approach as well as the spreader “D” pins (sometimes called PTO pins) when we get back down south for the winter. (We traveled north for our new engine installation without the mast this year).

Meanwhile…The pins come in a variety of sizes. We chose the rounded bail type to avoid any snagging of lines or sail. We got the pin size to fit the spreader bolt holes snugly. The sockets are also snug so there isn’t any play. I makes it quick work to pull the pins and lash the spreaders to the mast (we use those ball end bungee cord loops). It’s a whole lot cleaner to transit with the spreaders tucked away. The putting on & taking off is easy and doesn’t take more than 30 seconds to a minute but the cleaner snag free transit and storage is priceless!!!

Best Regards
Over Easy

[green]

Thanks everyone. I purchased a few things from BWY to help out. I'll post back.

[KonstantinAtHouston]

1. Is there a trick to removing the jib furler pin? It stuck a bit.

I've bought and installed tension lever at backstay, ~$70, worth every penny.
https://www.shopsoundboatworks.com/sear ... 01/4%20Pin*

2. What do you do with the spreaders?

We (this is job for two) dance. Meaning that two, working in unison, move the already lowered mast to one side and turn it so that one spreader goes under the lifeline, then we move it to the other side, turn, pass the threader under lifeline, done.

Move really reminds of dancing, hence the name. And yes, I've picked it up here, at this great forum.