Hi Jeff, I have a 12 year old son, I`m 41 (and kinda fat) I use the winch to raise the mast. First I attach the winch to the forstay with the bridles connected to the stay. Then I take the bottom of the mast and my son takes the top (hounds) and we walk the mast to the forebeam. I position the mast on the ball (side ways) and slip in the pin. I move to the rear beam and just hold the mast while my son hurries to the winch and steadily winches while I just keep it going straight. Winch fairly tight, jump off the tramp and attach the bridles to the hull then release the winch...Then immediatly adjust your side stays for the conditions.
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<br>Coming down, be sure to putmove one side stay pin to the top position to allow you to rotate the mast , turn the mast 90 degrees or it will escape the ball (ugly) Reverse the raising process. Estimated time to raise @ 3 min +/-<br><br>