Pete, I've got another, well, several, "idiot" stories all ready for YOUR thread. I'll wait for you to start it so your name is forever listed as the origianl author, not mine. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

My brain did not take in the written electricty warnings so I made my own which is a big red thunderbolt an a white field. I stuck that over the written one and now I always notice it as the mast goes up or if I am pulling/pushing the boat.

I honestly hadn't thought of that...I'll have to try putting the boat off the front end of the trailer so it starts out on an angle, removing the need to hop up to the tramp.

In fact, I'll be trying a quite a few of these ideas. I'll keep ya'll posted as to the final outcome of my preferred mast raising method.

Joe,

I have a N6.0 and frequently sail alone and here's what I did.

I purchased a reversable electric winch with an automatic brake. Using 2 blocks (See attached picture) I attached the clip to the forestay.

I then attach the mast and go the the tip of the mast and using a lanyard (connect to the winch) begin to raise the mast. Your only role is to keep it from swaying. As it raising, I walk to the tramp and climb on. Once I'm on, I continue to raise it until its all the way up.

To lower the mast, just connect to the forestay, and while on the tramp, lower it all the way. There is no need to get off.

As its been pointed out, its very important to to tie the boat to the trailer. Also, I attached a chain from the top of the mast cradle to the front of the trailer to strengthen the pole.

It works like a charm, requires no strength and is easy on the back !

Bill

Here's another picture

and heres another picture

See photo #1/3 attached

See photo #2 attached

See photo #3 attached

Luiz, nice system. I like the bridle attached to the beach wheels setup.

Thats off of the Aquarias website. Something that big needs to be complicated.

Hahaha! Yes! I've just got the mast up. My illustrious father just HAD to weld up a solution for me.

It's a simple A-frame. Two trapeze wires and the jib halyard are attached, via clips, to the A-frame. The A frame has a hand winch on it that is used to pull the frame from Vertical forward, pulling the mast along with it.

Here's some photos. They'll probably be the worst you'll see in awhile because of all the loose lines and so-forth that are spread across the boat.