Without the captive mast setup, I suspect the only practical way to step the mast would be a dead lift. Stand the mast up in front of the front beam, stand on the tramp and lift up and set it in place, you would have to have the shrouds and forestay VERY loose. Sounds dangerous to me...
...
Terry
This is out of the question, I live in a country where we have very strict laws against beheading women and children with a 29' aluminum pole.
I have a smaller 25' mast with a smaller section that I can dead lift but the Nacra 29' mast is simply too heavy.
I use to have a Nacra 5.7 with a captive mast system. I had both boats at the same time and I was tempted to switch over the mast base system before selling the Nacra 5.7
The problem with the captive mast system is that the mast has to lie on the side while we are stepping it.
Here it goes:
I am thinking about upgrading to the captive mast base system, I simply have to purchase the kit and install it. It a cheaper solution than the helium filled carbon mast.
I might also build a mast craddle... or I am thinking about installing my cat backwards on my trailler so I will be able to use the existing mast craddle. Alro if I try raising the mast in the boat launch, the gravity will help me.
I should also build temporary stays that go from the front crossbeam to the trapeze wires and maybe another set that would connect the hull/bridle to the other trapeze wires. The first set of stay should allow me to raise the mast straight and the second set would help me to attach the forestay
I am also thinking about purchasing the shroud tensionners/de-tensionner( Murrays 02-1060) to try to speed up the setup time.
Charles
Nacra 5.2
