Ok, I'm going to just throw this out there and I know I'll get a lot of people trying to blow me up on this. I've owned my since December and have rigged/de-rigged it about 10 times now. I just got back from the San Juan islands for the second trip this year. I built my own M style mast rasing pole and it takes me 14-20 minutes to rig in the parking lot and dip the boat in the water. I thought I was doing something wrong because it takes everyone else much longer to do. If doing it by myself, it adds about 5 minutes to my rigging. I also thought my space time continuom clock must be off so I timed myself the last two times and it was 14 minutes and 16 minutes to rig. It takes me a few minutes longer to de-rig since I'm stowing lines and stays for a long trailer haul back home. I've made a number of time saving devices and would be happy to share anything that would help others.
I'm not sure what questions you will all have but I'll try to answer a couple in advance....I leave all the stays connected, I have baby stays and they stay attached at all times. I do have a roller furler (that slows me down if anything). I can attach photos if you'd like, can even take video if you want. One thing new is the forestay pin that I got from BWY, it didn't save time but it sure saved some choice words that I had with my old one.
DaveB wrote:I have the M gin pole for my MacX and find it to overweight and overbuilt to raise the Mast.
A pully gin pole would work just as well with cam. The M pole weighs about 40 lbs and only advatage is it has a brake on the winch that allows you to stop and adjust any hangups on rigging. If you are single handed this will help .
I just feel the weight and system could be much better with a one gin pole with a 3 to 1 pully back to cocpit.
The M system to opperate requires a weak pinky finger. It's that simple and overbuilt.
Dave
I've been noodling on a system to use a whisker pole for double duty: Gin pole for mast raising/lowering and whisker pole while sailing. It would have a track on the mast to be used as a whisker pole and the mast raising bracket would stay attached to the mast step plate, to be used while rigging. When stowing, push all the way up the track and connect the other end to the bracket. Still in the conception stage and if anyone with machinist/mechanical skills wants to run with it, go for it.
hschumac wrote:JT, can you put up a video? Always looking for new ideas on how to go faster...
I sure can. I just got her all put away in the shop this weekend so I'm not sure when I'll get a chance to pull the back out for a rigging video, but it is now on my list. I'll be happy to.
There is quite a lot of variation between ready to launch and ready for sea
When I have 5 kids on board, headed out to the Atlantic, I'm a lot more careful about everything and take my time double and triple checking everything. I can easily see how you can step and launch for a day sail in 20 minutes whereas being ready for swells, fog, etc and making sure 6 persons gear for a week is in the boat in a safe way requires time
A simple thing like mounting the tender for Sea tow in swells adds 10 minutes easily, for example
No maliscousness intended, just teasing Cat as I know his ego can take a little ribbing without being offended.I don't doubt your claims, as i have learned from this posting that depending at what point you start timing your rigging makes a huge difference.I to can raise my mast in 10min, but my rigging procedure like catigale's contains 20-30 min's of inspection and properly securing things,along with the condition of my boat is in when i tow.No way would i tow my boat in the same state of preparedness as some of the other guys on here do.So in the end my one hour rigging time is the same as your guys 20 min jobs,we're just starting at different points in the process.
Copy that, my time starts when I pull in the parking lot and hop out of the truck, stops when I'm dipping it in the water. I do have the luxury of keeping my Mac indoors at home so I can do thorough inspections on my rigging at home. I am a pilot and aircraft owner so I'm no stranger to pre-flight inspections and use a similar checklist when rigging the boat. No offense taken on the previous post, I know it's all good with you guys and gals on the forum.
My rigging time starts 5 minutes after I crack a beer and ends 10 minutes before I finish the 2nd!
Of course I don't drink behind the (helm) wheel, that's why I steer from ahead of the helm!
OMG TMI, followed by the captains speech on proper disposal at sea of said items while Katy Perry gently croons on the stereo.Possibly a dalop of androgel would help maintain a hint of masculinity during your week at sea with such a motley crew,and i hope your macerator stays clear of the dreaded "cotton jellyfish".
I'm the ultimate "M" newbee, and I rig and de-rig in around 30 minutes. Not trying to impress, brag, or BS, but the mac system just seems to take that long. Maybe I don't obsess enough about the details (go ahead and jump on that), but so far it seems pretty easy and quick, though once I did forget to close the drain.
For myself, I put the mast up on the water someplace quiet. It takes about an hour and a half to have the boat ready to sail. Usually the boat stays in for the season. It's an activity I enjoy doing. It gives me another chance to inspect things and the mast raising system takes the grunt out of it. Im sure I could do it in under an hour if I had to but I'd rather fix things do I don't. In the keys we have plenty of calm water to anchor for this operation.
since December and have rigged/de-rigged it about 10 times now. I just got back from the San Juan islands for the second trip this year. I built my own M style mast rasing pole and it takes me 14-20 minutes to rig in the parking lot and dip the boat in the water. I thought I was doing something wrong because it takes everyone else much longer to do. If doing it by myself, it adds about 5 minutes to my rigging. I also thought my space time continuom clock must be off so I timed myself the last two times and it was 14 minutes and 16 minutes to rig. It takes me a few minutes longer to de-rig since I'm stowing lines and stays for a long trailer haul back home. I've made a number of time saving devices and would be happy to share anything that would help others. 
