MacGregorSailors.com

For those who have converted to a M gin pole with a winch for mast raising on their X
Do you use a single line pull or still use the tackle??
Do you pull from a bail from the baby stay attachment point of use the jib halyard??

Allan

Nautek, I just bought an M mast raiser from BWY for my . Drilled 2 new holes a few inches above baby stay holes and installed bail that came with raiser. It should measure 72 inches from base plate to holes per instructions and single line attached to bail. I am out of town without and do not have my direction sheet. It was given to me by Cheryl at BW Yachts and she wrote in the 72 inches changing from 67 inches. There should be 2 shackles to attach 2 guide wires to baby stays chainplate on deck to keep mast from going port/starboard and a shackle to attach the bow end of 3/8ths line to bow mast holding bracket. Someone will hopefully post behind me if it's not clear but the holes do drill at 72inches and bail is used with 3/8ths line shackled to bail at mast. There is an instruction sheet online, I just can't find it. Good Luck, it's pretty simple when you don't use side guide wires attached to mast like I did at first and wonder why mast only came up a few feet before running out of pull. . Hope this helps. Rob

Thanks Rob

I already have the X system but I have added a winch to the gin pole
I have the baby stays already installed

allan

I have the Mod on my website, I use it every time I go out.

Erik

Thanks Erik
that's what I needed to know

Allan

The mast raising setup is the best idea I have seen for a long time...it can be modified for just about any yacht. One aspect is vital...the mini shrouds... On any yacht, it is necessary to have the lower ends of those shrouds fixed to points that are level with the pivot point of the mast...sometimes this involves fitting a bar or rod to reach that level opposite the pivot point...this bar can be in the form of an "A'" with the right side vertical and the left side as a brace. The shrouds must maintain a constant length. And the pole/ wich arrangement could be even longer than what is supplied for the "M"...The higher off the deck you get the pulley, the greater the angle to the mast and the better the effort...

Erik Hardtle wrote:I have the Mod on my website, I use it every time I go out.

Erik

Great info Erik!I love the website. Have you noticed any additional strain on the mast, raising pole or where you attach the system to the bow? I'm wondering because in the pictures of the mast raising on the M it looks like it is being attached forward of where the X attaches to the bow. Also, someone else stated earlier that the BWY system is mounted higher on the mast (72") and requires drilling. This mod is on my list for the winter! If you had to to it again would you build or buy from BWY? Thanks a bunch

I have the M Gin pole and tried it once on my Mac.X, It was like way overbuilt and a 2 yr old could crank the winch. If you are single handleing the Mast it would be a cinch.
I would never buy this Gin pole but it came with my 97 Mac.X and if I single hand it will be there for my needs, otherwise I would just hook up a aluminum Gin pole with a 3-1 pully to raise the mast with Baby stays.
I will say that the brake clutch lets you stop at any time at any position raiseing mast to undo wire snags and that alone may be worth it.
Dave

SailingontheRiva wrote:

Erik Hardtle wrote:I have the Mod on my website, I use it every time I go out.

Erik

Great info Erik!I love the website. Have you noticed any additional strain on the mast, raising pole or where you attach the system to the bow? I'm wondering because in the pictures of the mast raising on the M it looks like it is being attached forward of where the X attaches to the bow. Also, someone else stated earlier that the BWY system is mounted higher on the mast (72") and requires drilling. This mod is on my list for the winter! If you had to to it again would you build or buy from BWY? Thanks a bunch

But Dave, most of us don't have a "Teresa" to help.

Thanks for the input Dave! I'm thinking about upgrading to the M style system because where we dock is past our marina and under a bridge, so every time we go out I have to raise the mast. Because the Admiral wants to review my competency as a sailor, she lets me do all the work. Using the effort of a two year old sounds gooooood! Thanks!

I would do it again myself... all it takes is a pole, winch and baby stays. I might try to find a stainless steel winch sometime to keep the rust off.

If you want to know how well it works ask Billy (Double Cross-XX) or Victor (Compromise) how long it takes me to set up. I have met up with them several times on several trips... be careful though... they get a bit upset/fustrated about my set up time... hehe.

Erik

Erik Hardtle wrote:I would do it again myself... all it takes is a pole, winch and baby stays. I might try to find a stainless steel winch sometime to keep the rust off.

If you want to know how well it works ask Billy (Double Cross-XX) or Victor (Compromise) how long it takes me to set up. I have met up with them several times on several trips... be careful though... they get a bit upset/fustrated about my set up time... hehe.

Erik

Thanks Erik! That sounds exactly like what I want! I had been looking for info on the M setup until I found your post and website-Great stuff. I've got my X pole in the living room ready to go. I've got a 1998 Mac -Do I need the baby stays or is that for Macs older than mine?

SailingontheRiva wrote:...I've got my X pole in the living room ready to go. I've got a 1998 Mac -Do I need the baby stays or is that for Macs older than mine?

When raising your mast with the X pole, it is best to use the baby stays.

Yes you definately need the baby stays.

Ken, I still have the M mast raiseing system. Leave Teresa out of it (others may want a crew).
2 more years and I will be one of the retired and will have to do it myself...until than..I got Teresa!
See you at the WCTSS New Year Cruise.
Dave

Retcoastie wrote:But Dave, most of us don't have a "Teresa" to help.