Hi Phill, a tangent, but what do you recommend for the Blade? From the bow or stern? I raised my mast for the first time on the weekend, from the rear based on some advice on the superwing mast I found on Boyer's site. Is is feasible/desirable to do it from the front? I was concerned that the self-tacker would be in the way, and that if I wasn't careful it might end up taking all the weight of the mast, which I'm sure it wouldn't survive.
Mark.
If you have a single forestay and 2 people, raise from the transom.
If by yourself, make a wooden A frame up or use your trailer to hold up mast tip and position mast at 45 degrees from bow. Now connect forestay and closest side stay. Raise at 45 degree angle then run around and fastened other side stay. Some of the Taipan boys in Oz use this techneque and is very effective.
