I'm getting into my traveling season and was thinking it would save some time if I could raise the mast from the bow end rather than the stern. Anyone ever tried it? The A cats do it, any reason we couldn't/shouldn't?

It works and you avoid having to rotate the mast to step it.

2 problems though.

1) On the Blade the jib track is fixed and you have to clear it to make the pin connection. The end has to be raised so you can not just lay it on the ground. Ok if you have hlep but it requires some stand to do alone.

2) There is just 1 forestay. On an A they run 2 forestays and no bridal. The mast stepped forward has the sides undone. Once up with a single forestay, there is no side support for the mast while you fasten the sides. It is more tricky to hold and dnagerous if a gust comes from the side.

Otherwise go for it

why not do it from the back.

Tie Spi halyard onto the bridal, route the downhaul thru the turning block as per normal and then thru usual cleat and just raise the mast, and cleat it off once up so you can put the forestay on properly. .

I was counting on using the mast crutch on the trailer for support and using the trap wires, temporarily attached at the bridle, for stays.

Any thoughts on that procedure?

Thanks! (I'm also sending you a PM)

If you want to use the mast crutch you could load the boat backwards. I've started taking the boat off of the trailer and backing it up against the trailer and using the crutch to hold it. My boat will not fit on my trailer backwards with out moving stuff around that I don't want to move.

Pete:

So the cat is still on the trailer when stepping while using the mast support as a crutch? Balance beam anyone? If it is on the ground, you'll still have to do the extra work of tieing & untieing the trap lines, stepping over the bridle, and the reduced leverage (if it mattered) compared to being on the tramp. You could always use the mast support as a crutch when stepping from the rear also, if stepping from the ground.

BTW, the mast base, spindle, and retainer setup is much improved on the Falcon. You probably can swap out your existing setup easily.

I hurt my shoulder in '08, it will never be as strong as before. Previously I raised the mast, solo, with the boat on the trailer, no problem. Since then I've started taking the boat off the trailer, turning it around and using the the mast crutch to make it easier to step under the mast.

The A cat guys step their masts with no problem, using the bridles as temporary stays.

Was just wondering if anyone had tried it.

Says who, and why will it never be as strong? If you dont want to discuss this on an open forum, I can certainly understand that.
Did you buy the book?

The Isotope mast is bow stepped. Boat has two shrounds and one forestay, I hook up the forestay to the bridle and one of the shrouds to an eyelet mounted on the front crossbar. Step the mast, then attach the other shroud to the chainplate, walk around and undo the eyelet shroud and attach it back to the chainplate. Having the little eyelet on the front crossbeam makes all the difference in stability when the mast is going up.

Towing sterns forward works great for solo mast stepping without the need of an extra mast stand. On our beach it's the routine method for boats up to 6 meters. You usually have to rearrange your trailer crossbeams to get the boat supported corectly and to get it level.

Here are some photos of my Mystere 5.0XL.

If you can park on a grade the mast stands on its own while you jump down to secure the forestay. Notice the backwards Prindle 18 in the background.

I've got shoulder issues as well and this way is not a problem for me. It works well whether the mast is rotated or normal. You do have to watch out that the diamond wire doesn't shear off your ear as you lift it past your head. Don't ask me how I know....

Rolf: All the medical adivce I've received is consistent. Shoulder injuries do not heal well. Once the shoulder is injured a recurrence is more likely.

In this specific instance, when I step under the mast raising it ABOVE my shoulder, there is a slight pulling sensation. Not painful, but enough to make me cautious.

David: I'm using your system already (thanks to Frank Rodericks of "Frankenboat" fame). It doesn't appear that raising from the front is going to be worth the hastle. So, eventhough I tow forward, I'll just continue to swing the boat around once it's off the trailer.

Shoulders, grrrrrr!!!

What finished mine was a ring refusing to hook onto the masthead. I tried over and over, rotating and yanking harder and harder on the halyard until I heard a snapping sound in my shoulder. Bad plan.

Two years since my rotator cuff surgery and it's 95% of my 30 year old shoulder (notice I did not say 18 year old shoulder). Without hesitation I will play catch with my son, including long throws from center field. I haven't been able to do that for years so the surgery was great for me. It took 6 months before I'd race in big air, however.

Shoulder and knee injuries seem to be epidemic! If you haven't had one or the other you're probably in the minority. The good thing is that I'm back in the gym and in much better shape generally, than before the injury. T.V. and potato chips = bad; sweating, stretching, bicycling = good!

Pete,
I take it you ment that your shoulders flexibility and stability will never be as good as before the injury. That is entirely possible, but strength is so much easier to do something about. Are you able to do dips, handstands and pull-ups? If not, those exercises + front and back levers performed on rings are superior to anything you do with apparates or free weights. The instability of the rings and the multi-plane movements/resistance will train all the small muscles and their coordination in a much more advantageous way. I spent many years climbing and busted both elbows and both shoulders (overreaching, hanging off the joints, not taking rest when I should => chronic tendonitis etc). Working the rings is what have rehabilitated me.

If your gym dont have rings, ask them to install a set. I can give you references if they need. Rings are superior for upper body workouts and you can build strength gradually through progressively harder exercises. Nobody pulls the moves you see at the gymnastic events the first day And you are never too old to build serious strenght, it just takes longer due to less hormonal activity and the correct diet.

I know I sound like a "besserwisser", sorry, but the intentions are all good (and this is something I have become passionate about. I have my own set of rings installed under the staircase).

ROFLMAO! I haven't done a pull up since basic training. . . in 1967!!!

See PM.

Pete I feel your pain meng. I got busted knees and ever since I started working out again its gotten worst.

Are you doing plenty of stretches? I spend a lot of time in this thing.

http://www.truefitness.com/products/commercial/product.aspx?seriesID=16&productID=42

Glucosamine Chondroitin

Oh, you dont need gear to work out or stretch

Pull-ups are good for you, if your shoulder can take it. As is push-ups, handstands and other pulls and presses. All kind of progressions are available and they will stabilize your joints in a way machines never will. These basic calisthenic workouts are not marketed becouse there is very little money to be made from them, but I think they are superior for health and fitness.

Glucosamine Chondroitin is a maybe to me, but I am not a doc: http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/DSH/glucosamine.html


Now look where this thread have gone