Newbie needs help

[wise4]

Hi all,

We are the proud new owners of a 1986 Mac 25. We are new to sailing and are looking forward to learning while we restore our new baby... We made plans to put the boat in the water this weekend (Dana Point, CA) just to cruise around close in on the outboard. we arranged for a guest slip saturday night so we wouldn't be too rushed. As part of our preparation, my Wife and i decided to raise the mast just to make sure we wouldn't have a problem on Saturday.... As it turns out, we have a pretty big problem... We have tried everything and just cant seem to get the mast raised... We get as far as proping it up on an 8 ft 2x10 (with a v-notch) ... the crutch is standing up in the cabin with the base next to the crank leaning forward... When I hop on top to lift with my wife pulling on the forestay we run into the problem... it feels like the mast is gonna fall right over the side .... I'm sure the problem must be with our inexperience and lack of confidence .... having never seen the mast raised, we aren't sure if we're doing something wrong...

Any advice?

[Lloyd Franks]

There should be two short shrouds attached to the mast abd deck to prevent the side to side movement. I don't know if they were standard on your boat. They are easy to add. If you search "baby stays" on this site, you will get an idea of what they are. You can rig temporary stays using regular line, with attachment points at the mast (about 5 feet above deck) and the deck. Good luck with your new boat

[Sumner]

See if this link helps.....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... ing-2.html

...sounds like you don't have a gin pole, but the pictures will show the baby stays. This is for a '90 26 S, but should still help. You might be able to also hook up a gin pole. This setup is quick to use and one person can raise the mast by themselves.

c ya and congrats on the boat,

Sum and Ruth

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[wise4]

Thanks for the hints

I spent three hours this afternoon building my own one-man mast raising system. Works like a charm. i am very happy with it.
We did put off going down to Dana Point until Sunday. I have a few more tasks to finish before I'm ready to get her wet.

Robert