Raist the Mast Fast

[mastreb]

Having tried the various methods to make mast raising quick, such as quick-release lifelines, levered forestay pin (reverted for safety reasons), and numerous other quick-release hardware changes, I thought I'd post on the one that really has the biggest impact. I didn't invent this mod, but a few people have asked about it in PM so I thought I'd post a recap.

Changing the spreader bolts to quick release pins and taking the spreaders off completely while trailered does more to reduces setup and take-down time than any other modification I've done, by far. The struggle to move the mast from the bow pulpit to the mast step literally becomes a walk on deck--no issues, no struggling to make the last few inches, no tension anywhere. There's no struggle to get the spreaders above or below the lifelines, no "managing" stays as you move the boat forward and getting hung up on everything as you go forward--no nothing. Just move the mast, then put the spreaders on, and lift.

Granted, you do need to be careful to put the spreaders on right-side up, and make sure that you've not got the spreaders on the wrong side of lifelines or halyards, and put the quick-pins on such that they are right-side up when raised. The speed difference for me goes from 15 minutes of struggle to maybe three minutes of no worries other than attention to detail.

It's also about the simplest mod you'll do: Replace the two bolts that hold the spreaders to the "spreader holding thing whose proper name I do not know" with 1/4" x 2" wire quick pins from Home Depot:

http://www.homedepot.com/buy/tools-hard ... 42703.html

Easy peasy. When you take the spreaders off, I toss the spreaders, stays, lines and sheet ends down into the cabin and close the hatch, which keeps everything perfectly fine while trailering. I move the lines and stays to the edges of the sliding deck hatch to move it over the companionway hatch when closing, and will likely shave a 1/4" corner off the top sides of the companionway hatch to make that easy. When you setup, just open the hatch, move the mast, and put the spreaders on.

These pins are zinc plated and as such will corrode faster than the aluminum spreaders and the stainless thing mentioned above, which is what you want. Inspect them as you use them and prepare to replace them every few years if they look like they need it.

As with every modification from stock hardware, you should evaluate the risks yourself. Others will present their well-formed opinions of this mod, and as with all risks, you'll need to decide where you are on the spectrum between "I don't leave the driveway" and "I don't stop drinking till I get to Catalina".

I've been sailing this way for months with no issues--the pins have never ridden up at all, under any circumstance--but I have yet to sail in winds above 12 knots (Just don't have those here in San Diego often). Because the spreaders are under hundreds of pounds of tension pushing directly against the bolt when the mast is erect, it is my opinion (and only that) that the force required to move them well exceeds any force they will be subjected to, so I personally have zero concerns about this mod. If a pin did fail by riding up past the retaining wire and disengaging, the spreader would push farther in (it cannot pull out while under tension), the mast would lose all tension, and you'd have to drop sail to avoid shock-loading the mast foot. But this is fixable even at sea, so keep the original bolts in your rig box for injury rigging.

If you have any questions, post. If you do this and like it, post. If you think this is dangerous, post. If you know what the thing that the spreaders fit into is called, post.

[K9Kampers]

While your process doesn't appeal to me to adopt for myself, I was thinking that to avoid mixing up the spreaders... color coding them with tape - red / port, green / stbd...

[Catigale]

Making that tape different colours will make your boat sail in circles due to the asymmetry...


This sound good. I've never removed my spreaders but I agree the mast wrestle is the hardest part, especially with the 150 genoa and no MRS.

[c130king]

While your process doesn't appeal to me to adopt for myself, I was thinking that to avoid mixing up the spreaders... color coding them with tape - red / port, green / stbd...

Just don't use blue tape...

I'm just sayin'...

[mdeane]

After seeing this mod posted here I replaced my bolts with removable pins. With the spreaders disconnected from the mast, I found the process of moving the mast into position for stepping or returning it to the trailering position greatly improved. Pulling the pins, removing the spreaders from the mast mount while leaving the other end secured to the shroud, then laying the spreaders and shrouds against the mast and securing with bungees, takes very little time. Reassembly is easy because the shroud end connection only allows you to reconnect it the correct way. I leave my furler and forestay attached to the mast when trailering, on one occasion while setting up I assembled the spreader to the mast with the forestay behind the spreader. I do not recommend doing this unless you are looking for additional practice lowering and raising the mast. I don't think blue tape would help in the assembly process, however, reasonably sure it would have a negative impact on boat speed.

[Tomfoolery]

I started pulling the spreaders when I replaced the upper shrouds this summer. The old ones were badly kinked, and I can see why - it's hard to store them cleanly when the mast is down, with the end caps holding the wire at right angles. I haven't sourced quick pins yet, but will eventually.

When I dropped the mast for canal boating, I didn't want the spreaders up there at all, so I pulled the end caps too, and stored the spreaders below decks. Much cleaner with everything snug to the mast with just the caps on the shrouds, and no risk of kinking them from tripping over spreaders. Only takes a couple of minutes to put the caps back in, and plug the spreaders back into their sockets.

My spreaders, by the way, sit all the way down in the socket so the pins don't take any load. If the bolts fell out, it woudn't make any difference other than perhaps rotating a bit on the lee side when sailing (though the rig it tuned so they don't go slack), which would lead to kinking if it happened.

I was thinking of using standard pins and ring dings, but I might have to give your idea a try.

[robbarnes1965]

I like the quick pin idea. Red/green tape is a must.

I have my genoa sheets with in red/green also - avoids (some) arguments.

[Catigale]

The other thing I like about this idea is that you have to inspect your spreaders each time you rig...this is never a bad idea on these boats, which have

"low redundancy for corrosive failure paths" aka "cheaply built"

[ronacarme]

Our cabintop lifelines are fixed to the bow pulpit by pelican hooks, for quick and easy dropping of the lifelines down out of the way of the spreaders, when lowering the mast.
We do remove the spreaders if in the way of the winter cover of the moment.
Ron

[Trouts Dream]

I did this mod several years ago and agree with all the positive points.
one further point is it is now safer to walk to the bow without having to step over a spreader and the associated shrouds.

[seahouse]

I like this mod. Might use it when I start launching more than once a season.

I recognize that pin as being identical to a part from my tractor which connects the PTO ( power take off) to the implement. So a farm supply store is another source that will carry the part with the description "PTO lock pin", or similar.

-Brian

[vizwhiz]

if in the way of the winter cover

Don't know what that is...??

[pokerrick1]

Why do BOTH spreaders need to be taped??????? Just tape one or the other (but don't use blue tape under any circumstances)!!

Rick

[robbarnes1965]

Why do BOTH spreaders need to be taped??????? Just tape one or the other (but don't use blue tape under any circumstances)!!

Rick

Balance or course

[Crikey]

I've put off doing this mod because I thought eventually I'd run across the pins made out of stainless. Nada - zero! Has anybody found an equivalent type in SS that would do the job? I think it would be the more compatable material when paired with the aluminum tubing.
As for the shrouds and lines when towing, I've resorted to using a million bungee cords of various lenghs to keep cables from rubbing the deck and cabin sides. Not very pretty and prone to leaving unsightly rub marks on the mast if you're not carefull.

Ross