April Sail & Learn was to be on the Mast Raising Pole System at the rear of the marina parking lot. The system helps sailors raise or lower the mast on the boat. While many use a system on their own boat or man-handle it, this just helps. The system uses a tall telephone pole and a cable winch. The pole has two plaques to illustrate how to park, connect the cable and use the winch.
To park near the pole, drive towards to the pole and just a few feet away turn hard left stopping with the bow of the boat near the pole. It is better to reverse the car, placing the bow and centerline of the boat as close as possible to the base. Be careful to watch for your car and trailer for open tailgates or open hatches.
To connect the cable, you can add a line around the mast, using a bowline. This line should be long enough to end down near your mast step. The bowline will form a loop. Be sure the loop clears all side stays. It does need to be below the spreaders. There is a second option in using your jib halyard or main halyard for the cable connection. If you use a halyard, tie off the end to your halyard cleat and connect the cable using your shackle. You will still need a line on the connection so you can grab the cable later.
It works best if one person stays on the boat and another works the winch on the cable. The person on the boat needs to guide the mast, keep it centered and to be sure all lines and stays are clear and not hanging up on anything. The person working the winch will be making many turns on the handle, many turns. Once the mast is fully up or lowered, the winch will hold the cable with an auto-brake. The person on the boat now needs to connect the forestay and/ or the roller furler to finish the job.
Carefully disconnect the cable. It is heavy and can do damage. Lower the cable shackle and connect to the ring near the winch to store the cable. Carefully move your car and boat from the area, avoiding the base. Hopefully this system helps in raising or lowering the mast and makes it safer then trying to do it manually.
Comments(5)
George Lutzow says:
March 9, 2022 at 11:07 pmI am new to the club and have recently purchased a 30 year old Precision 21. I need assistance on the following:
1. To discover more about the club.
2. To find out where I can have my boat repaired and bottom painted … I want the center board hanger pin replaced … the place will need a lift.
3. Sailboat batteries – do the docks have power? If not, how do members keep batteries charged? Solar cells? Take them home?
4. Orientation to the club and the lake
Thanks in advance.
George
Carlos Rojas says:
September 11, 2023 at 4:36 pmHi folks
I’m taking out my boat (Hunter 23) tomorrow, around 330 pm September 12, 2023, and will then lower the mast using the Mast Lift System. If anyone has an hour to spare to help me from 4 pm – 6 pm tomorrow I would greatly appreciate the help.
My cell is: 267-337-1923 so pls call or text me if you can help a fellow sailor!
Thank you
Carlos
Greg Smith says:
October 18, 2023 at 3:22 pmHi. I have a question about signing up for a membership this late in the year.
Can I still do it? Will it last for twelve months or expire at the end of 2023?
Thanks.
Bruce Idleman says:
October 26, 2023 at 1:16 pmIf you sign up now you will be good through March 1, 2025.
Allen Forsman says:
July 7, 2025 at 10:02 amI have a question about needing a place where I can get some help with rigging for my Windmill sailboat. Do you know where I can have a change done?? I didn’t want to go all the way to Baltimore. Any help would be appreciated. I live in the Topton area and usually go to Blue Marsh Dam area. It so exciting to go to a Lake where there is a lift kfor.sailboat