What would be the best way to remove my mast for painting and how do i get the rigging back to where it was ?
Select to expand quoteSectorsteve said..
What would be the best way to remove my mast for painting and how do i get the rigging back to where it was ?
Deck or keel stepped? Keel stepped will need to be lifted higher, but are more stable with all the rigging disconnected.
Either way, the best way is to use a crane; slacken off all the rigging screws, wiring etc beforehand, get the crane operator to put a sling around the mast below the spreaders, take the weight, undo the final connections, and hoist.
Many yacht clubs have cranes of about the right size which are used for launching Etchells, J24's etc etc and who might for a fee do the lift for you.
However if the budget doesn't run to a crane there are plenty of other solutions such as sheerlegs. Look on the Aus J24 site for their method of raising and lowering masts without any external assistance using legs, for instance.
I've also pulled masts out by sandwiching the vessel between two others and using the combined main halyards to do the lifting.
Or, you could get creative and utilise existing fixed structures and your own tackle attached. If you're in Sydney Harbour, you could look around Berrys Bay for an old ferry under refurbishment which has a derrick arm at about the right height; they might be able to accommodate your request if you asked nicely.
In all cases - make sure you have a plan as to where to put the mast once it is out!
Re getting it back together; just take lots of photos before you pull it apart, and mark everything with tape before you remove it, including the rigging screw thread settings.
thanks alot Chris.
Its just a mast on deck.
I live at mcmahons point and my boat is right near berrys but then i wouldnt be able to sail pittwater to do the antifoul and paint work etc.
Think ill talk to Quays about the Crane. im already saving $ taking it there and doing the work myself. theyve got all the gears. The mast looks crap. no point painting the whole boat and not the mast...
If you are hauling the boat out of the water using a travel lift you may be lucky and find that the travel lift has a crane on it. I know one of our local ones has this facility so that could kill two birds with one stone.
Not sure how big your boat is but this method works well for deck stepped boats under 30 foot. I did it singlehanded with my 26 foot quarter tonner. If your boat has a single spreader rig the tripod needs to be a couple of feet higher than the spreader. The photo is not my boat.
[URL=
.html] 
[/URL]
If its a deck stepped mast under 30ft couldnt you undo the rigging and lay mast down, similar to a trailer sail?
Select to expand quotesunycoastguy said..
If its a deck stepped mast under 30ft couldnt you undo the rigging and lay mast down, similar to a trailer sail?
I would not try that with my H28 the main mast is heavy section . I've lowered a A class 32 foot its a smaller section than my main mast
Its quiet possible to do but Id say the haul out crane will will have a mat crane attached
The haul out mobile crane will have a smaller unit for removing masts . Id get them to drop the mast next to your boat when your on the hard ,put it on a couple of 44 gallon drums and paint it there refit it when your going back in
I have done it on a Bluebird on a mooring, (a very quiet one), using the spinnaker pole as a gin pole, and the main sheet and winches. Needed lots of extra ropes to keep everything aligned and when you put it down on the taffrail it wants to fall over the stern unless you move it forward. However, it is a lot of hassle and stress, and a lot easier to do with a crane at a marina.
If you're going to be in Pittwater, Broken Bay Lighterage have a crane on the front of their work boat. They took the mast off my
neighbours boat and put it back on. All was well.
