mast raise

Hello all,

  Just a quick question.  Has anyone used the trailer winch to aid in raising the mast.  Kinda looked at it when the boat came out of storage and it looks like some sort of doohicky on front stainion to keep strap off bow might allow that winch to hold mast while I jump around to untangle stuff and then continue up.

thanks in advance

Dan

Hi Dan,
I'm sure its been done many times. If you are alone then who is going to steady the mast as you crank it up? I built an A frame arrangement to assist and use a line around a boat winch to carry the weight as I walk it up. I have just walked it up and that is nerve wracking even on the 21 footer. The side shrouds don't help much till your almost all the way up.
Russ

I'm in the process of setting up a 12 VDC winch I bought at Harbor Freight to raise/lower the mast on my CM26. I'll post some photos of the completed contraption. I have the same problem where while cranking up the mast, it sways from side to side - really makes me sweat!! It's okay as long as I have an assistant to steady the mast while I crank it up but this summer I plan on going solo (kids are getting to the point where it's not cool to be with Dad!!)
terry s

Look at "Follow the mast".  I have pictures of an A frame that allows me to raise my mast without help.