Curious. Its time again to move the cat out of winter storage and to lug that heavy and long Nacra 6.0NA mast around to the beach.

How much does your boat's mast weigh? I'm jealous of those A-Cats. What about the I-20 or I-18 CF masts? My Nacra 5.2's mast was much lighter, still I have not been able to find mast weights on the internet.

I cant recall the I-20, but given the size, it was light! The A cat is about 19lbs, and ever a joy to move around. Just dont drop it~!!

Clear skies,

Here are the number I can remember

I-20 mast = at minimum 18 kg or 39 lbs (this number could be just the mast blank)
Taipan / alu F16 mast fully fitted = 15.5 kg = 34 lb
F16 carbon = min 13 kg = min 29 lbs
FX-one alu mast fully fitted = 20 kg = 44 lbs
I-17 carbon = I can't remember the number but it was heavier than the Taipan alu.
A-cat = just under 10 kg fully fitted = just under 22 lbs

alright, I finally broke down and weighed the 6.0 Mast. Keep in mind this is with most of the rigging attached but it came in at 63lbs (28.5kg).

Jake-

You're a light weight...my ARC22 mast weighed by the factory came in at 86lbs. [38.5' aluminum section]

thom

I just calculated the lifting effort required to bring the 6.0NA mast overhead - it's about a 150 to 160lb dead lift. No wonder I've thrown my back out twice doing that!

Jake,

I just got the 6.0 and was surprised how much effort it took to raise the mast. To help my back, I set up a block and tackle (from trailer mast support to the bridle wire). Here's how it works:
- With me on the tramp, my son lifts the back of the mast and hands it to me.
- He runs around to the front (while my back is aching !) and starts pulling on the block & tackle.
- I'm just there to keep it from moving from side to side.
- Once the mast is raised, I get off the tramp & take the jib halyard and clip it to the foil and tighten.
- I then disconnect the block & tackle from the bridle wire and attach it to the foil.

I found this works for me - but would be interested in hearing from others if there is a better way.

Bill

Bill,

I learned pretty quickly that heaving that mast up was not a good idea as well. I too use my trailer mast support but I have a winch with a webbing belt and a carabiner that I attach to the loop on one of my trapeze wires. Once the mast is handed to me, I support it on my knee and wait for my crew to get over to the winch. Once he has taken up the slack and gets it taught, I start to push up while he quickly cranks the winch. It goes very easy this way. Once it's up, I use the winch to tighten the rigging by continuing to pull forward on the trap wire while we attach the forestay. Works pretty well.

Jake,

Do you install the foil first (letting it hang down)and then attach the bridle wire? While this is easier to do, it seems like the bend on the foil wires (while hanging down) may damage the wires.

Should I be worried about this? Or should I struggle with attaching the foil wires after attaching the bridle wire to the foil?

Bill

Yes - be worried. Don't let the foil hang on those wires. The previous owner of my boat did and the wires really showed it and made me worried until I replaced them. In my case, I have a spin pole that I leave on the boat on the trailer (I extended my tongue 7' so I could tow mast behind RV and I can also leave my 14' pole attached to the boat). I have a small arm off the mast support that supports the spin pole and keeps it held high. This supports the foil in an almost tensioned position. If you don't have a spin pole, you might be able to come up with some sort of support vertically from the trailer to support the foil.

My 41' RC-27 mast weighs in at 113 lbs fully rigged.

Jake, just cut out the section between the hounds and the mast head, and the hounds and the mast base and it would be as "light as a feather"!!!! God 63lb? use the approved method of lifting it without causing yourself damage - get the crew to do it - they have to be good for something?
Darryl