MacGregorSailors.com

Hey y’all,
I use a boat setup area at my lake. Unfortunately for me where I have to park to setup the mast it is pointing now down. With Roger designing the X with nothing to push on near the mast step it took me a while to get the mast positioned and pinned. I thought about it and rigged a block and tackle setup that has a cam cleat incorporated. I have a boom nail at the base of the mast where I attack the cam clear end of the block system. The other end of the block system goes up to a loop I have around both winches. The block system has to snap shackles so it is easy to attach and remove. I use the cam cleat to hold the mast at the right position so that I don’t have to fight with more than one thing at a time. I’ll try to post the mod later in the mods section.

Why not just use the mast raising system designed for the boat? The gin pole attaches through the forward set of holes in the mast step. The original version used a block and tackle to pull down on the gin pole and raise the mast. Blue Water Yachts sells a newer version that uses a brake winch like the M as well.

Be Free wrote: ↑Mon Nov 03, 2025 9:49 am Why not just use the mast raising system designed for the boat? The gin pole attaches through the forward set of holes in the mast step. The original version used a block and tackle to pull down on the gin pole and raise the mast. Blue Water Yachts sells a newer version that uses a brake winch like the M as well.

I'm not sure exactly what the problem is that Tony is trying to resolve, but I do know he's well versed in Macs and a very good rigger. Maybe it's the issue that the Mac mast has to be moved aft and pushed down to lock it into the mast step plate before raising, and it's made more difficult because the boat is aft-end downhill at the site?

OK, if the problem is getting the base of the mast down to the mast foot I've always just faced forward and straddled the base of the mast. My weight brings it down and it usually pivots on the carrier right into the foot where I can slide the bolt through. The baby stays limit how far back the mast can slide on the carrier and the base usually ends up in exactly the right spot. Perhaps he does not leave is baby stays attached when he stows his mast or (more likely) I don't understand the problem he's addressing.

I’d like to see some photos of what TonyHouk was describing….and his fix to the situation he was working with

To answer some questions for y’all,
Where I had the boat on the trailer in preparation for launching it, the boat was angled down towards the bow. This kept on causing the mast to push forward towards the bow. Since there is nothing to brace against in that area I put together the block and tackle. It will pull the mast back towards the step where I can pin it. I have the 140 Genoa on the furler which sometimes can be a pain to handle. I will try to post pictures this weekend if I get the time. Sorry for the confusion.

Thank you! I just could not envision why you were running a line around the winches. That makes a lot more sense now.