Mast Raising Tool
Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2024 5:18 pm
Just finished making my Mast Raising device. Works an absolute treat. See below you will get the idea. I use the main sheets clipped on to the mast base and clip on the other end to the wires on the hoist. Makes mast raising a single handed thing. All that is required is to give the mast a shove upwards with the shoulder from within the cockpit and start pulling on the main sheet. Once raised, the device is stored in the car until its required to lower the mast.
The box section fits over the bottom edge of the companion way and as you pull on themain sheets, it pulls the top rollers down each side of the sail track of the mast and therefore raising the mast. Very easy to fit and remove and it makes it a simple one handed affair for raising and lowering.
The extendable tube mounted to the rudder pintles could do with beefing up a little as it is only one of those adjustable tent poles at the moment. Might consider replacing it with small square section tubing..
The process is this.
1. Place the lifting frame inside the boat with the roller sticking out into the cockpit.
2. Fit the tent pole with its roller to the rudder pintles.
3. Lift the top of the mast from its travel bracket and sit it on the roller of the tent pole in its lowered position.
4. Slide the lifting frame towards the stern and fit the box over the companionway and attach the main sheet
5. Go to the front deck and slide the mast back on the roller and fit the mast base to its mounting on the front cabin top.
6. Now, standing on both cockpit locker lids, take the weight ofvthe mast on the shoulder and raise the roller as high as practical ( as pervphoto)
7. Stand in the cockpit, shoulder up the mast while pulling on the main sheet.
The mast raising can be stopped and started from any position between fully up and fully down by using the cam cleats on the main sheet pulley.
This system does not allow any sideways movement of the mast whilecraising or lowering and therefore protects the mast base from breakage. Not, I don't think these mast bases are available any longer. Note the mast travel bracket in the last photo that is fitted over the pushpit rail.
The box section fits over the bottom edge of the companion way and as you pull on themain sheets, it pulls the top rollers down each side of the sail track of the mast and therefore raising the mast. Very easy to fit and remove and it makes it a simple one handed affair for raising and lowering.
The extendable tube mounted to the rudder pintles could do with beefing up a little as it is only one of those adjustable tent poles at the moment. Might consider replacing it with small square section tubing..
The process is this.
1. Place the lifting frame inside the boat with the roller sticking out into the cockpit.
2. Fit the tent pole with its roller to the rudder pintles.
3. Lift the top of the mast from its travel bracket and sit it on the roller of the tent pole in its lowered position.
4. Slide the lifting frame towards the stern and fit the box over the companionway and attach the main sheet
5. Go to the front deck and slide the mast back on the roller and fit the mast base to its mounting on the front cabin top.
6. Now, standing on both cockpit locker lids, take the weight ofvthe mast on the shoulder and raise the roller as high as practical ( as pervphoto)
7. Stand in the cockpit, shoulder up the mast while pulling on the main sheet.
The mast raising can be stopped and started from any position between fully up and fully down by using the cam cleats on the main sheet pulley.
This system does not allow any sideways movement of the mast whilecraising or lowering and therefore protects the mast base from breakage. Not, I don't think these mast bases are available any longer. Note the mast travel bracket in the last photo that is fitted over the pushpit rail.