You have the wrong beam straps on the rear beam. Those go on the front beam. More than likely the previous owner ordered/bought straps improperly. The front beam is more recessed into the hull requiring a shorter strap, hence a longer strap for the rear beam, which you don't have.

For some reason I can't see the pictures posted. Sooo going blind here I would then like to offer that perhaps the cleats on the rear beam are for doubling the spinnaker sheets, which is very usefull on the 6.0 with fairly big spin we had. Man, miss that spin....

They are cam cleats with fairleads facing in the direction that would give them holding power from an aft direction. Wrong direction for doubler setup, although you could probably change it a little to get that.

Wow thanks for all the help. Im away from the boat now but plan to look over all the posts and the boat in order to better understand. Everyone who replied was a great help and with the little bit of knowledge i do have i think i have it figured out. Another question i have is about raising the mast. i have an ez step mast raiser and was wondering if you guys had any tips?

Will you be single handing this 6.0?

If you mean tips on the EX step system, others might.

ON my old 6.0 in the avatar, I always used to raise it myself while on the tramp and someone held the top before I started, etc. You know the routine. Years later, someone pointed out that with the weight on this mast and all, that this put a lot of strain on the tramp, tramp tracks and lacing, etc. So the last few years I had someone 'crank it up using a trap line, while I steadied it and helped it initially due to the angle and strain this put on the mast base.

Another friend that cranked his 6.0 mast from nearly the tramp, had his mast base bolt bend big time due to this.

Enjoy

No, i dont plan to ever sail the 6.0 single handed. as for the ez stepper, i have a problem already with the front crossbeam being bent already. if the ez stepper or the winch i have on the trailer will make this worse let me know what the best way to get the mast up is. thank you.

Someone should be on the boat, so when the captive ball pin is inserted, he/she can raise and steady the mast while it's being cranked up. May be the EZ step system steady's the mast from side to side?
Someone should be holding the mast about the hounds, arms over their head, while the pin is being inserted and the mast raised.

whoa there,

Were those pics of your new boat. I didn't notice any bends of significance in the front, or rear beam.
Hard to notice in pics though.

The 6.0 mast, in nearly all instances, needs to be raised/lowered with the mast rotated 90 degrees, so that the captive ball mast base won't hit and break things, or get broken itself. Usually, the area that holds the pin in to keep it captive on the ball gets broke if not rotated.

Can you tell us more about the front crossbar bend. Like where on the bar exactly, what might have caused it perhaps. I'm sure we can tell if it's going to be a big problem or not. Tell us more about this please.

Waht is the pattern that you run the jib halyard on? I have a length of wire with an end that attaches to the top of the jib and than i have an eye on the other end. The length of this wire is approx the same as the length of the forestay. i am guessing that i am supposed to attach a rope to the other end and run it along the forestay down to the bridle foil as the halyard. What i dont understand is how the cheek blocks and pulleys work on the foil. I have one block in the middle and two cheek blocks on the port outside edge of the foil. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you

You will probably have a simple halyard that ties to the eye in the wire to hoist the sail, then untie this one and put it somewhere safe for dropping the sail. The wire halyard will attach to a purchase that is mounted on the foil once it is hoisted.

To Md BlowBoater, and Edgerock,

Guys, You really should make the time to go see Kieth's boat at his house in Cape St Claire. Kieth is one of the most knowledgable and best Cat Sailors on the Upper Chesapeake Bay. He lives only 30-45mins from you and can answer ALL your questions you have about your N5.8 and N6.0NA. I would take a camera!!!! Take I695 over the Francis Scott Key Bridge ... Rt10 south, to Rt2 south ... left on College Parkway ... Kieth can direct you from there.

I really, really, really suggest you take Kieth up on his offer !!!!!!!

Also, you'll most likely need to make a trip tp APS (Annapolis Performance Sailing) in Eastport for replacement lines and stuff. Over the bridge by AYC, left at the first traffic light, down on the left after "Ruth Chris's Steak House".

And you need to get working on your boats so that both of you can attend "Gunpowder" on the first weekend in May ... and then Rock Hall on June 20-21st. Kieth will explain the sailing/racing program at West River which he helps organize and run.

Or you guys can send me your addresses by PM or E-Mail and I'll arrange to visit on one of my trips from Philly to Annapolis.

Harry Murphey

Here's a picture forward on a light air night. Might give you a little context...

An easy way to raise a mast that I've just had shown to me is for one person to be standing on the front beam leaning back holding onto a trap wire in each hand as though they're water skiing. As the person lifting the mast raises it they get the benefit of the other persons weight pulling it up which makes the step onto the tramp easier or the lift from waist to above head.
The other thing to consider is making sure your mast is sealed perfectly, when my 5.8 lost its seal and flooded the mast it took 3 of us to right it on the beach. The easiest way I've found to check for mast leaks is to tape a compressor nozzel to a hole in the bottom of the mast then when the compressors on brush soapy water on the mast and look for bubbles, works a treat and you cant over pressure the mast because the excess air just leaks out the tape.
regards

Does anybody know what size the rivets are on the rear beam for the eye straps? The ones that connect the tramp to the beam are loose and i would like to try and reset some of them.

keith or kieth?

It's "i" before "e", except after "c" and when spelling "Keith"

ah hah! i thought so. thanks