DaySailer.org Forum

I've enjoyed my DSII (5668) for a few mos now and would appreciate tips/photos from others who've rigged a means to solo raise/lower the mast. With similar small boats owned, I fashioned a tall, slender mast cradle that temporarily fit in the gudgeons. It permitted me to set the mast in there and have a good angle to pull the mast up with the forward stay (or lowered it the same way). However, this DSII mast is quite a bit taller, heavier and the tabernackle base seems ripe for getting torqued badly if the mast sways a bit.

Welcome any thoughts/recommendations from others who have rigged a means to do this.

For my DSII, the front mast support is up by the tongue, and the rear mast support mounts to the gudgeons. The first thing I do is make sure the boat is on a flat surface pointed into the wind. I slide the mast back the boat until I can install the rear pin in the tabernacle. The mast is level and resting on the rear mast support. Side stays are attached. I attach a length of line to the stem head using a bowline knot, put a loop in the other end and attach the jib halyard. I lift the mast with one hand and keep some tension on the jib halyard, then raise the mast all the way up, pull up all slack and then cleat the jib halyard to hold the mast in place. I insert the second tabernacle pin and then install the front stay, pulling on the jib halyard to create enough slack to install the stay.

I find it's much harder if the boat is not flat or if there is a wind from the side. I agree the factory tabernacle is not made to keep the mast from twisting.

My raising is similar to klb67. I keep the side stays attached. Move the mast back on the stern support until I can put the rear pin in. I attach a line to either the head stay or jib halyard (when using the jib halyard, make sure it is cleated). I run that line through the bow cleat to the cockpit. Since the DS mast isn't that heavy, I push it up to vertical and cleat the line attached to the head stay or halyard to act as a forestay until I can attach the forestay. Before I attach the fore stay I put the forward pin in place. Then I tighten the turnbuckle on the fore stay.

Before raising the mast I also attach my wind vane to the mast head. It is a good idea to be pointed into the wind if possible, side winds can be a problem if they are too strong.

John

Me too but I also try to set up with the boat pointing downhill. This way gravity helps keep the mast forward.