Stepping the Mast

[AJ168]

My dad and I just brought home our 16' AMF Sunbird today. We tried to step the mast to see what if anything was wrong with the rigging and we broke the bracket for the mast when it tilted sideways. Should we have attactched the sidestays before attempting to even bring up the mast? Is there any easier way of doing it besides just walking it up hand over hand?

 

[tommays]

Re: Stepping the Mast

Every boat is different BUT on yours i would have the shrouds connected so when its UP its stable and all you have to connect is the head stay

On my 24 ' boat we had a small crane like rig we set up on deck that would hold the mast

You needed it because it had to be droped 5' through the deck to sit on the keel BUT with the right stuff it was still and easy two person job

tommays

 

[dakk1]

Re: Stepping the Mast

Yep, that's the way I do it on my 18 footer. I attach the shrouds, then walk the mast up as you say. Once up it has sideways support from the shrouds. Then , if by myself, I grab the forestay and attach it. If someone is with me they are on the ground holding the forestay.

Dave

 

[AJ168]

Re: Stepping the Mast

One more question, does anyone know if there is a backstay on this boat. There's an extra cable in the rear of the mast, but I see no place in the stern for it to connect to.

 

[tommays]

Re: Stepping the Mast

I cant say for sure BUT i would guess it clips to the rear of the boom to keep from BOOMING you in the head when you drop the main

My 18 ' was rigged like that

Tommays

 

[pauloman]

Re: Stepping the Mast



after you get the mast up (yes attach the shrouds) use the trailer winch and the jib halyard to pull the mast forward so that you have some slack to attach the forestay and get it tight. Trick #2: a short rope from the base of the mast to a cleat near the mast step so that as you raise or lower the mast, the bottom of the mast doesn't move far from where it needs to be.

paul