Mast Standing Rig

[CentralCoastSailor]

Many in Fleet 128 don't do "away games" very much b/c standing the mast (keel stepped) can be difficult - especially as the sailors age a bit and the distance from the cuddy to the ground seems to be bigger and the fall is a bit harder (over 60 and you bounce like a dead cat! - somebody could break a hip!). ANYWAY - a few of us keep kicking around some kind of PORTABLE mast raising rig - something like a tow behind lift that could be used to raise a mast - would kind of be like a hand crank (winch) gin-pole device that could just go under the DS trailer and reach up about 1/2 the lenth of a mast (so it can balance and rotate) and then poke it though the cuddy and lower down to the mast step. Folks are VERY serious about one piece keel stepped mast and the "classic" DS hinged mast is frowned up by racing fleet (althougth I'd REALLY like to see some actual engineering data on how much of an advantage NOT having a hinge above the cuddy really makes - NOTE that the Mercury Fleet has done extensive research on this topic and the fleet now includes provision for a hinged mast and report ZERO advantate / disadvantate - just that its a TON easier to raise the mast). What do other's think??? Has anyone come up with a portable and easy way to raise masts for a fleet of DS's??

[GreenLake]

I have a solution that has worked for my boat. It's published here on the forum. You should be able to find the thread but if I find it first I'll post a link.

[GreenLake]

Here is a link discussing easy ways to raise keel step masts.
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=6937

You can either add a small modification to your mast partners that simulates a hinge. Or you can use a small tripod that is the kind of portable solution that you are thinking of. It works without modification to your boat but you need to add something to the version shown if you want to use it without the simulated hinge.

You need to rig something simple, a board or a stiff strap that prevents the mast foot from sliding forward, past the opening of the mast partners while the mast is still horizontal. Once the mast rises the foot will wedge itself in the opening before it is vertical enough to slide down.

It may be that having a helper hold it in place is enough. For what you are planning you would have sufficient manpower. I was using the system singlehandedly. I mostly dispense with the tripod and rely on the simulated hinge instead but I can see that others might benefit from the tripod especially if a helper can guide the mast foot.

The tripod works with a simple purchase of the kind you can find in a hardware store or you can build your own with real blocks from a marine store. No need for any winches.

Good luck!