Mast Steppers

Has anyone ever used the Mast Stepper II (as seen in the Hobie catalog). I have a bad back and already had one mast stepping "incident" so I was looking for a safer alternative. (Incident: Dumba$$ me fell of the back of the tramp while lowering the mast by hand. What is worse was that the boat was on the trailer.)

Anyway, if my mast stand is high enough, I was considering getting this. Any thoughts?

Thanks...

When I'm by myself I use a couple of pieces of plywood 2.25" wide and about 7' long or so. I drilled a hole in the end of each one and put a piece of rope through the holes leaving about a foot between the two pieces of plywood. Jamb the other end of the boards into the corner castings on the tramp, and the rope up against the mast. This will hold it so you can get the forestay connected. I hate to be a jerk but that gave me a funny mental image, and I laughed.

Once I went to a larger boat, I starting using a EZ-Step to raise our mast. It works very nice and will allow you to raise the mast leisurly and safely. I'm sure the Mast Stepper II would work fine for you also.
Jack

I raise my mast by myself on my H-16 even when offered assistance. Raising an H-16 mast is not that difficult. I use a tripod to hold the mast horizontal while I put in the pin. I tie a line about 8' long, one end to the jib halyard and the other end to the bridle and raise the mast. I lean into it and reach down to undo the jib halyard from the cleat and pull it in and tie it off so it supports the mast. Then I can get down and fasten the forestay.

Howard

I use Howard's technique as well. It's really quite easy and safe as long as you remember to reinsert the pin and don't fall off the tramp. If you do either one of those things once I'm sure you'll never do them again <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

I'm having a hard time getting a mental image, but I'll take an 8' piece of line out to the boat and experiment. Thanks for the replys.

Alan,

Basically what you want to do is fasten the jib halyard to the bridle so that when you get the mast up, you can tighten the halyard and it holds up the mast. The 8' piece of rope is just to extend the halyard since it isn't long enough to reach the bridle. Make sure your shrouds and trapeze wires are not going to catch on anything before you start to raise the mast.

Howard

I think I get it. You pull on the jib halyard while leaning into the mast. I'll try it...thanks.

That is definitely the easiest way to do it, but if you are still nervous about your back do a search for mast stepping on this forum. I participated in a great thread that described a few DIY solutions in detail for safe and easy solo stepping.

I recently installed the Mast Stepper II on my trailer. It does work. It is a little hard to tell exactly what you get from the Hobie catalog. For your $45.00 you get 3 pieces of short rope, a swiveling pulley, and a tang to hang it on. If your mast support is 30" or so above the tramp cross bar, basically higher than you head when you stand next to it, it works. You mount the tang and pulley as high as possible, run your winch cable / rope through it and fasten that to the forestay. Use a piece of short rope to tie your trapeze wire to the front corner of your tramp. After installing the step link, have a helper wind the winch while you balance the mast on your shoulder while standing on the tramp. It is easier, and no strain on you or your winch helper. I plan on trying it singlehandely soon. So in a nutchell - it works - but you can make one yourself for less money IMHO.