INVESTIGATOR 563

A quick video on how I raise the mast single handed here -

https://youtu.be/A8ceqt2g7r0

Nice work Greg!
I use a very similar method; only difference is I use the Main Sheet (blocks and all) transported forward to the bow, attached there and to the forestay, then I do the same as you - I give the mast a heave onto my shoulder and pull on the Main Sheet and keep hauling until the mast is in place. The cleats of the Main Sheet block hold the mast in place if I need to change position or move fwd.

I made a mast crutch with roller-wheels to help keep the mast off the deck - how do you keep your mast clear off the Hatch?

I think this video will be good for those new to i563 to see how easy Mast raising is.

Cheers
Sean

nice video Greg,

That's a good technique using everything that's already with the boat. Are they the main sheet block-tackle? might give Sean's method a go, as no winches on my boat. Good to see your back on the water again.

Andrew

My technique is similar, except I have the A frame arrangement which stabilises the mast on the way up, and also reduces the forces, particularly the forward thrust on the base of the mast at the early part of the lift.

Photos on this site if you do a search.

Notice that Greg's boat has conventional rigging, with upper and lower shrouds, and no diamond stays. IMHO this is a better solution than the single shroud on each side.

seanslife wrote: I made a mast crutch with roller-wheels to help keep the mast off the deck - how do you keep your mast clear off the Hatch?

I have an aluminium bracket with a roller that sits over the pull pit rails when the mast is down. I'm currently in the process of making a permanent all in one bracket that will do the same job and house a solar panel off the back of the boat. This however is way down on priorities. I have a very long list of projects going on my boat at the moment.................... as do a lot of boat/caravan owners in my area.

I'm not using the main sheet tackle to do the lifting as mine is not quite long enough to have a good amount of rope to hold onto when shoving the mast up onto my shoulder.

Cheers for watching the video, hope it helps someone, took me a while to figure this out.

love the video Greg !