I just got a Supercat 17 from a neighbor and after much work finally got it back in the water for the 1st time in 15 years. No trouble rigging the mast but one hell of a time getting the main down with the ring and hook up top. What's the secret I'm missing? I had to drop the mast to get it off the hook...

Thanks anyone...?

Depends exactly on the setup you have. My SC20 has a hook on the mast and a welded ring and shackle. The secret is to get the sail blowing across the tramp away from the hook, raise the sail a little and then rotate the mast away from the sail.

BTW if you have this problem it is much easier to pull the boat over on its side on the beach than it is to step the mast with the sail attached. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Go to the Aquarius Sail owners forum (the manufacturer of Super Cat and ARC Catamarans) as this issue has already been dealt with over there in detail.


Best Regards,
Robert

Would a second rope attached to the ring be an easy way to pull the ring out too?

I dont sail a supercat but i learned some things when i got a TheMightyHobie18 with a ring system:

My first problem with getting my main up (and down) was my ring was tied to the halyard wrong (the knot was between the ring and the mast).

after reading the hobie instructions 100s of times, and raising and lowering my main dozens of times (with trouble) i came to find out i was turnig the mast the wrong way.... made things much easier...

Lastly i changed to a thinner halyard... there is not tention on the halyard besides the rising (on the ring type system) so there doesnt need to be allot of strength in the halyard.

I don't think a 2nd rope would really help, once you figure out the system is works pretty well.

BTW I 2nd the suggestion of going to the SC/Aquarius site. Here is the thread I had on main halyards and mast hooks:
http://owners.aquarius-sail.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=170

If the boat has a rotating mast...pull up sail, twist mast and hold. Pull down sail.

Thanks all, I'll give it a go.

Lots of good data in that article...

Find someone with good eyes to see what is happening (or not happening) up top. The Hobie 18 round ring system works fine IF the knot is on the correct side (the original flipping lever is not needed), and the Australian ring with the offset knot is good too.