Mast stepping old DS1

[kkearns]

Hi everyone,

One more question about my "new" 1965 DS1. She has the two part mast. The bottom part rests permanently on the mast step on the keel of the boat (which has a clever threaded turning device to literally raise the mast vertically and tighten the shrouds). The top part sort of slides into a sleeve at the end of the bottom part and is then secured via several bolts with wing nuts that run through the sleeve. The question is, does anyone have tips for raising the mast into this sleeve?

Thanks,
Kevin

[seandwyer]

Honestly, unless you are going to have someone help you raise the mast every time, I think I would buy a tabernacle and change your set up just a little bit. It will make life a lot easier. Look at this link:
http://www.drmarine.com/proddetail.asp?prod=DS208

This provides a hinge that only needs to be pinned in place once raised as opposed to holding the entire mast upright and then easing it into the sleeve you described. There are other versions of this idea, but this is the original and most common that I have seen for the DS. You will have to cut your mast into two sections for this. The first section will be from the floor to just an inch or two above the cuddy, and the second will be the remainder of the mast. You might talk to the guy at D&R and ask what the exact procedure is - s well as guys on the Daysailer site. I'm sure if you look through the threads you will find some discussion on this from the past.
Good luck!

[kkearns]

Thanks, Sean, for your response. This looks a little more complicated than I had hoped, but I will certainly call the folks at D and R for advice. I'm really reluctant to cut the mast, but I'll give it some thought.

Kevin

[GreenLake]

Question about your two part mast with sleeve. Once this is assembled, does it function just like a single piece? In other words, can you lift the bottom part off the mast-jack (or is it attached there?)

If it can function as a single piece, you coud use some mast-raising ideas for uncut, keel-stepped masts. There are many of them described in various places.

My own contraption for that purppose is documented at https://forum.daysailer.org/greenlake/daysailer/MastRaising.html

(If you were to post some pictures of your mast for those of us who haven't seen one like it, but might have some design ideas, that would allow us to contribute )

[kkearns]

Dear Greenlake,

Thanks for your suggestion. I'm away from the boat now and will check this weekend regarding the question of lifting the entire mast off the mast jack. I know there are threads involved, but I don't know if they extend into the bottom of the mast itself or whether the mast simply rests on some sort of pedestal. down by the keel. This seems to be a stock design on the boat (not some home made invention). I'm surprised that no one else seems to have a design quite like this.

A complicating feature, which precludes cutting the mast, is that the current cut between the two pieces is on the diagonal. Thus, if I were to cut to make both peices flush at right agles, I'd lose probably 3 inches in mast length. Anyway, I don't want to cut the mast. Your solution is an interesting one.

Kevin

[Bob Hunkins]

It's really not that hard to step the mast with two people. Some folks can do it by themselves. The key is to not let the mast get away from you.
One person stands by the side of the boat, holding the butt of the mast, down on the ground with their foot. The other is at the tip, and walks the mast vertical.
One person holds the mast vertically, - keeping their hands spread wide apart on the mast to allow for the most control. The other gets into the boat and stands on the cuddy. The mast is lifted KEEPING IT VERTICAL THE WHOLE TIME. Each person should keep thier hands as far away from each other as possible to allowfor the most control of the mast. It is lowered through the partner and stepped on the keelson, or mast jack.

A word of warning about cutting the mast and using a tabernacle. You are slowing the boat down for this convenience. It will never be able to be raced competitvely with that mast. If you sell the boat, the value will be considerably decreased if the buyer wants to use it for racing. If you want to race, it will be very difficult to get the boat to perform.
I'll get off my soap box now.