Figure Out How to Set It Up Single Handed

My objective is: I want to be able to go to the lake, and put the boat in the water and sail, all by myself.

August 14, 2009

I hauled it out of the garage and tried to step the mast by myself. I moved the mast toward the stern and untangled the shrouds and stays. But I couldn't move it far enough astern to get the mast end onto the mast step plate. Its too long and sticks too far beyond the stern rail so that the step end wants to raise into the air.

So I have to figure a way to hold the mast end up while I extend it far enough to get the mast end onto the step plate. I guess it will require a prop. Maybe I can put something on the roof of the Durango to hold it up.

September 8, 2009

I made the first prop for helping with the set up. I will put it at the back of the boat and rest the head of the mast on it. At least to get started. If this works out OK, then I'd change it to have a roller rather than just a flat block on top.

I'm undecided weather to go ahead and make a gin pole. I'm not sure that I'll need it. On the other hand people do seem to need it for a 26 foot mast, and the S2 mast is particularly because the rigging is 5/32 wire instead of 1/4 as is found on most 22 foot boats.

I'm tempted to just try with this, although its going to be a while before the weather is nice enough to give me several hours to try it out so maybe I should go ahead an make up the gin pole.

I would make it so that it uses the forestay cable I think. That has the strength to hoist the mast, so why not just use it? Maybe I'm missing something though because that's not usually what's done.

Equipment Check.

Before I can put it in the water, I have to make sure I have the required equipment and get the registration. I checked tonight and I have everything except a throwable PFD and some signal flares. I think I also need to get a longer anchor rode. I think just some cheap polypropolene rope will do.

First Set Up - Oct 3, 2009

On Saturday afternoon, Oct, 3, Tim Schill came over the house and helped me put the mast up and rig the boom. We did use the gin pole I made but it was a little flimsy. I have since reinforced it by putting a piece of ash inside the open center of the pole. I think that will help immensly.

We didn't use the mast stand I built, but I think it will still be useful for single handed rigging.