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Mast stepping #245414
03/11/12 06:00 AM
03/11/12 06:00 AM

M
Mac m OP
Unregistered
Mac m OP
Unregistered
M



Just bought a Viper a few weeks ago and have a question about stepping the mast solo. Any tricks to doing this? My main concern is how to keep the mast up while getting off the tramp and pinning the forestay?

Who's coming to Spring Fever? There are four F16's registered so far, there were a good many last year as I remember.

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Re: Mast stepping [Re: ] #245415
03/11/12 06:46 AM
03/11/12 06:46 AM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,525
pgp Offline
Carpal Tunnel
pgp  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,525
You might want to try the AHPC site: http://www.ahpc.com.au/

I rig my boat differently.


Pete Pollard
Blade 702

'When you have a lot of things to do, it's best to get your nap out of the way first.

Re: Mast stepping [Re: ] #245417
03/11/12 08:33 AM
03/11/12 08:33 AM
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 217
Palm Harbor, FL
daniel_t Offline
enthusiast
daniel_t  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 217
Palm Harbor, FL
The Viper owner's manual says stepping the mast takes a minimum of two people, but you might find this video helpful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9fqyRIJnE4

The basic idea is that you attach extensions to your shrouds so you can secure them when the mast is facing *forward* of the boat. With the shrouds and forestay secured and the mast pointing forward, lift the mast into position. The forestay and one of the shrouds will take the weight of the mast. The mast will be leaning because of the extensions on the shrouds. Then go to the slack shroud, remove the extension and connect is properly. After that go to the other shroud, pull the mast vertical, remove the extension and connect it properly.

I haven't actually tried this method of raising the mast, but the Viper owner's manual says, "... the hinged mast step allows the mast to be raised and lowered from any direction. The key to this is that the front of the mast must face the direction that it is to be raised from, or lowered to." So I'm thinking that this method will work.

If you try it, come back and let us know how it went.

Last edited by daniel_t; 03/11/12 08:34 AM. Reason: typo

Daniel T.
Taipan F16 - USA 213
Re: Mast stepping [Re: ] #245419
03/11/12 09:05 AM
03/11/12 09:05 AM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,382
Essex, UK
Jalani Offline
veteran
Jalani  Offline
veteran

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,382
Essex, UK
I've always used the spin halyard attached to the bridle. I've done it for years and never had it go wrong.

With the mast down and shrouds attached properly, run the spin halyard to one of the bridle tangs on a hull. Temporarily attach the forestay somewhere convenient on the mast (I use the gooseneck). Now lift the mast to vertical and, once there, take up all the spin halyard slack and cleat it. Your mast will stay up while you step off the tramp and rig the forestay properly.


John Alani
___________
Stealth F16s GBR527 and GBR538
Re: Mast stepping [Re: daniel_t] #245421
03/11/12 09:28 AM
03/11/12 09:28 AM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,525
pgp Offline
Carpal Tunnel
pgp  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,525
Originally Posted by daniel_t
The Viper owner's manual says stepping the mast takes a minimum of two people, but you might find this video helpful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9fqyRIJnE4

The basic idea is that you attach extensions to your shrouds so you can secure them when the mast is facing *forward* of the boat. With the shrouds and forestay secured and the mast pointing forward, lift the mast into position. The forestay and one of the shrouds will take the weight of the mast. The mast will be leaning because of the extensions on the shrouds. Then go to the slack shroud, remove the extension and connect is properly. After that go to the other shroud, pull the mast vertical, remove the extension and connect it properly.

I haven't actually tried this method of raising the mast, but the Viper owner's manual says, "... the hinged mast step allows the mast to be raised and lowered from any direction. The key to this is that the front of the mast must face the direction that it is to be raised from, or lowered to." So I'm thinking that this method will work.

If you try it, come back and let us know how it went.


That looks like the method AHPC recommended for the Taipan 4.9. I know at least one T4.9 sailor who raises his mast that way.

It is basically the system I use for the Blade but I leave the mast in the trailer cradle so that I don't have to lift it from the ground. It's basically already 1/3 the way up. Additionally I use two temporary side stays to keep from bending the mast link. I always raise my mast single handed, always have.

Last edited by pgp; 03/11/12 09:29 AM.

Pete Pollard
Blade 702

'When you have a lot of things to do, it's best to get your nap out of the way first.

Re: Mast stepping [Re: Jalani] #245423
03/11/12 11:34 AM
03/11/12 11:34 AM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,118
Northfield Mn
Karl_Brogger Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Karl_Brogger  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,118
Northfield Mn
Originally Posted by Jalani
I've always used the spin halyard attached to the bridle. I've done it for years and never had it go wrong.

With the mast down and shrouds attached properly, run the spin halyard to one of the bridle tangs on a hull. Temporarily attach the forestay somewhere convenient on the mast (I use the gooseneck). Now lift the mast to vertical and, once there, take up all the spin halyard slack and cleat it. Your mast will stay up while you step off the tramp and rig the forestay properly.



That's what I do.


I'm boatless.
Re: Mast stepping [Re: ] #245424
03/11/12 11:44 AM
03/11/12 11:44 AM

M
Mac m OP
Unregistered
Mac m OP
Unregistered
M



I think I'll try using the spin halyard. Should be taking it out next weekend for the first time.


Re: Mast stepping [Re: Jalani] #245487
03/13/12 12:26 PM
03/13/12 12:26 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,049
Sebring, Florida.
Timbo Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Timbo  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,049
Sebring, Florida.
Originally Posted by Jalani
I've always used the spin halyard attached to the bridle. I've done it for years and never had it go wrong.

With the mast down and shrouds attached properly, run the spin halyard to one of the bridle tangs on a hull. Temporarily attach the forestay somewhere convenient on the mast (I use the gooseneck). Now lift the mast to vertical and, once there, take up all the spin halyard slack and cleat it. Your mast will stay up while you step off the tramp and rig the forestay properly.


That's the way I've been doing it for years as well, I rarely have any 'helpers' available when I'm rigging up at home.

The only difference is, I always step the mast while the boat is still tied down on the trailer, and trailer hooked to truck, so I tie the halyard to the mast support post on the front of the trailer. I also use one of those $10 Walmart floating seat cushions between the mast and the rear beam, while I'm putting the mast step pin in.

Then just lift it up and push forward (be aware of which way the wind is blowing!) and pull the halyard very tight, step down and tie off the forestay to the bridals, then release the spin halyard and UNTIE IT FROM THE TRAILOR! It gets pretty funny when you try to pull the boat off the trailor with the halyard still tied to it...or so I have heard.


Blade F16
#777
Re: Mast stepping [Re: ] #245553
03/14/12 02:58 PM
03/14/12 02:58 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,118
Northfield Mn
Karl_Brogger Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Karl_Brogger  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,118
Northfield Mn
After re-reading Johns post, the only difference I have is I tie the halyard off to the bridle.


I'm boatless.
Re: Mast stepping [Re: ] #245564
03/14/12 07:18 PM
03/14/12 07:18 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,382
Essex, UK
Jalani Offline
veteran
Jalani  Offline
veteran

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,382
Essex, UK
If you tie the spin halyard to one tang rather than the bridle, it leaves the bridle unloaded and completely free so that attaching the forestay is very easy....


John Alani
___________
Stealth F16s GBR527 and GBR538
Re: Mast stepping [Re: ] #245603
03/15/12 12:39 PM
03/15/12 12:39 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,118
Northfield Mn
Karl_Brogger Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Karl_Brogger  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,118
Northfield Mn
See I think the opposite. It pulls up on the bridle, and its more or less in line with the forestay.

I hate holding both.


I'm boatless.
Re: Mast stepping [Re: ] #245611
03/15/12 02:01 PM
03/15/12 02:01 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,049
Sebring, Florida.
Timbo Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Timbo  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,049
Sebring, Florida.
I tried that once, but the spin halyard kept getting in the way of the forestay and the tie line, so I use the trailer mast support. I migh try the bow eye where the bridle attaches sometime, see if that's any easier.


Blade F16
#777
Re: Mast stepping [Re: ] #245813
03/20/12 05:06 AM
03/20/12 05:06 AM

M
Mac m OP
Unregistered
Mac m OP
Unregistered
M



Put he mast up this weekend and had my cat trax on the sterns so they were higher than the bows. Once I got the mast up it stayed up due to the forward lean. I had help so I was there just in case it tried to fall but it didn't. Not sure I would count on this every time, but it worked Saturday. I also checked out using the spin halyard as mentioned and will probably do this next time I'm alone.

Re: Mast stepping [Re: ] #246440
03/29/12 09:01 AM
03/29/12 09:01 AM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 976
France
pepin Offline
old hand
pepin  Offline
old hand

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 976
France
Save some work as well, and always place your boat so the wind will help you. If you use Jalani method (which is the one I use) make sure your rear beam is upwind of the front beam. Makes your life easier.

Re: Mast stepping [Re: ] #246443
03/29/12 09:12 AM
03/29/12 09:12 AM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 16
Satellite Beach, FL
R
Ringo Offline
stranger
Ringo  Offline
stranger
R

Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 16
Satellite Beach, FL
I mostly rig my boat solo as well and I used the method described by Jalani. Matt was the one that told me to use the spin halyard attached to the bridle. I WAS attaching it to where I'd put the fore stay, but that was a pain as I'd have to work around it while attaching the fore stay to the bridle once the mast was up and in place by the spin.

Matt later told me that someone posted a trick on here to attach the spin halyard to the bridle tang (as Jalani mentioned) in order to avoid this. I was worried that this would rip out the tang but then he made a great point that it only has a couple of pounds of load as it doesn't take much to hold it forward. Just make sure the stern is in the wind and it becomes very easy. The apex of the bridles are left free to attach the fore stay. Life becomes easy again :-)


George P. Harrison
Falcon F16 - USA 236
Re: Mast stepping [Re: ] #246506
03/29/12 08:29 PM
03/29/12 08:29 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,118
Northfield Mn
Karl_Brogger Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Karl_Brogger  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,118
Northfield Mn
I tie off the halyard to the shackle that pins the tack of the jib.


I'm boatless.

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