Mast Removal

[Aaron]

G'day Hatters,

This weekend we are planning on taking out the mast to spray it, replace standing and running rigging and put in the new stainless mast step.
We plan on rafting up my dads boat up to mine and tiring a halyard around the spreaders and winching it up adjusting the stays with rope as we go, only six inches to lay it on the deck and replace the step. Then bring the boat into the wharf and put the mast on the car.
Has anyone done this before and have any tips?

Cheers,
Dawn Breaker.

[bearmcnally]

Hi Aaron

I've done it a couple of times using a Swanson 38 and and a Adams 36 with Egret 11 in between . The second time I only used the Swanson 38 .no worries !But beware ? using one only your mast will want to fall towards the lifting mast . I made a rope loop and let it slide up under the lowers , and as you lift have somebody hang onto the bottom as it comes out of the mast step as it will swing .

Cheers Bear

Re stepping I did it with 3 mates I will try and find the photo's

[longdeepthinker]

Hi Aaron,
Hope your mast removal went well.

Wondered if you would mind sharing some info about your new mast step.
Where did you have it made and what was the cost.

I think I need to do the same job on my mark two. Mast step leaching rust for some time now,been putting it off for too long.

Thanks alot,
John.

[Aaron]

Thanks Bear for the advice, we will see how it goes! Really excited!
G'day John,
A mate of mine loves welding and built it for me. Its pretty different to the original Top Hat design.
Its 316 stainless that he bought in a sheet and we plasma cut the pieces at Dad's work, it took a lot of planning and thought!!
It would be expensive but he took it on as a bit of a project and won't take money or tell me the price. He's a absolute champ of a mate!!
I'll take a picture of my mast step, talk about overdue like 10 years! The back section is about 3mm thin has has put rust stain down the cabin side its crazy!!, you can pick of bits with your fingers!!!

Cheers,
Dawn Breaker

[Phillip]

G'day All,

There is a heap of info on raising or lowering a mast on U-Tube. Look at these two, the best is the second one as the yacht is close to ours in length.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhP3cWEaFt4

It's basically a 6 metre A frame with a winch on the bottom that pulls a cable through a pulley at the top and goes around the spreaders.
Ropes go from the top to the bow and stern to hold the frame in place. It is made in sections so It can be transported easily.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpFhnYQmRYs

One note to consider if you have an 8 metre tall rig is to get 2 100x50’s that are 60cm longer than those used.
The extra height makes it easier to balance the mast at the center point without jamming the block and tackle up against the top of the A-frame.

Top Hat masts are 9 metres so an adjustment will have to be made to suit.


Comments Bear?

[Jeremy]

I took my mast off on Friday,

Used a crane with a sling. Cost was $50 and the shipwright helped me. Stress free and worth every cent.

Took the mast home on the top of a land rover with a t bar set up on the bull bar. The overhang may not have been legal!

My harbour bridge mast step is pretty shot. The funny thing is it doesnt fit - not even close (the curve is too pronounced and the centre is too high?!). It was built up with bits of timber and then stuck on with a ton of bog. I will post some pictures when I can get around to it.

I am going to speak to an engineer to get a professional opinion of using carbon fibre and glass. Any thoughts?

Effectively I would take a mold of the deck and fabricate a carbon plate in a similar shape to the metal one, and put a conventional mast step on top.

Jeremy

[Killick69]

Jeremy, what you say is exactly what i found on my mk3, mast step not fitting well onto cabin top. I did these jobs about 1 year ago and posted comments then.

Cheers, John

[Phillip]

G'Day All,

Apparently the outfit that made the mast GIRDERS had their factory in the Sydney northern suburbs but have since moved.

I am lead to believe that the company below is the original manufacturers of the mast GIRDER.

I have tried ringing, but have not had the phone answered as of yet. Maybe someone else who lives close by could visit them?

Central Coast Marine Installations.
2/10 Catamaran Road.
Fountaindale.
NSW 2258
Phone 4389 2557

[Aaron]

G'day Hatters,

Thanks for the tips and ideas!!
Jeremy, im interested to know where you got your mast out for $50??

Cheers,
Aaron

[Aaron]

Hi Hatters,
On Sunday we successfully removed the mast.
It all went to plan apart...... for the lifting out of the step, once we got tension on the mast and all they stays were loose/floppy or taken off, we slowly lent her back to about 60 degrees and then the mast step let go and sprayed rust flakes everywhere, it was well and truly tied!!.
It all happened a bit faster than I wanted it to!! but once she was out and hanging of Dad's main halyard it was all sweet. The challenge will be getting her back up, but thats a while off yet.

Thanks for the tips and advice,

Dawn Breaker.