Details in stepping a mast

[SCsailing]

HELP! We just purchased a 1985, ODay Daysailer. When my wife and I tried to set-up the mast we could only raise it 1/4 of the wayup. We tried several different ways to do this but no luck. Can someone give me some step by step methods on the best way to do this. As you can guess I am very, very new to sailing.

I would appreciate any help.

Thanks--

[SCsailing]

CM,

Thank you very much for the information. I will try out the way you set yours up and see how it goes. I appreciate the recommendation on the book.

If you ever travel to SC (Lake Murray) please let us know.

[algonquin]

Assuming your mast has a tabernacle (hinge just above the deck) the main thing is to make sure all your rigging lines are free from obstruction. They have a tendency to catch on just about everything. On my DS1 I usually stand in the cockpit area after I put in the rear tabernacle pin. I lift up the mast at the rear of the cockpit to about waist height and walk forward pushing the mast up as I go. By the time I reach the cuddy the mast is almost vertical. My wife stands on the ground at the bow and puts tension on the jib halyard and pulls slightly. Once the mast is up I push it forward and she pins the bow stay then I put in the front tabernacle pin.

As the mast is raised it does stabilize the more vertical it becomes due to the side stays. Brad

[knothead]

I recently bought a daysailer 2. And I love it. I think to step the mast ,without a hinge, it should be raised on the cabin top then set in mast step. I attempted to do this and realized I needed more help. I wound up using the hoist at our sail club to lift the mast and lower into step. This is ok for me as I leave the mast stepped. I also sail on Lake Murray SC. I would be glad to help you. I sent you a PM.

[GreenLake]

Here's a link to my personal solution to this problem.

http://home.ix.netcom.com/~greenlake/daysailer/MastRaising.html

[SCsailing]

Thanks everyone for all the information. Based on the input recieved my wife and I were able to step the mast in short order. Took the boat out for our first voyage last Tuesday.

Knothead--Tried to PM you but I not sure it went through.

Thanks Again Everyone!

[hales]

Looks like you have a nice detailed response already on this. But I have another method that we use for our '68 DS. The mast is mounted on the floor of the boat, and it is a bit of a trick getting the base of the mast through the hole on the top of the cabin with 2 people. But at the local marina there is a deck next to the ship's store where 1 person can stand while the other person is down below, maybe 15 feet or so, so the guy on the deck can simply lift the mast into position by pulling it up. Works pretty slick, albeit it is cheating