"rick" wrote in
:

thanks for the info guys; i have a 35ft 350lb mast and the boom is
only 12 ft so i may have to make a longer gin pole??
The boat is a sloop but i see that a ketch would be ideal.
What length would you think i would need for a ginpole...i have a
front furling foil that is a pain as well so i have to be able to stop
and straighten this as i raise/lower it.
rick

"Bob" wrote in message
news
I have a MAC 26 with the mast raising kit. It works very well and one
person
can safely raise and lower the mast easily and stress free on the
trailer
or
on the water. It is a very simple inexpensive system. I think it
would be easy to replicate. A great advantage is being able to stop
at any time to straighten out a twisted shroud line. I have the boat
on the trailer in Ottawa if you would like to see the system they use
contact me through my email.
Bob
(delete "remove" in the email address)



"rick" wrote in message
...
I have found I can trailer my 29ft sailboat just fine and I can
wetlaunch
once I get the trailer galvanised but stepping and un-stepping the
mast poses a problem in areas where there is no crane. If I make a
tabernacle
I
need a ginpole or some way to get the mast through the 20-60 degree
angle
where I can't reach it and where the angle is insufficient for the
forstay
to lift it.
Does anybody have any experience stepping their own mast?

I have heard that using the boom as a ginpole might work but???
rick



My method for such a rig is as foollows(much simpler to do than to
describe.
Materials. 3 handy billys w/cam-cleats. 1 short line(from main tackle
over the ginpole(boom) to the spreader point on mast or above.

Attach the working ends of two billys about midway forward of mast
tabernacle and the lift point. These provide lateral support and aid in
lift.

Attach the third(middle billy to the stemhead or very near that point
with the added line running over(through) top of ginpole to the lift
point on the mast(about spreaders or so).

Tighten the side lifts. Begin lifing, adjusting tension on the side
tackle as you progress. This is somewhat slower than other methods, but
considerably more secure and works well even when the boat is rocking.

I apologize for the poor description, but perhaps you get the gist of the
thing. As I said it is rather simple in practice though.

g'Luk
--
-=The answer is simple...send pretzels to the Whitehouse!=-
MonteP
"Against stupidity, the very gods themselves contend in vain." -
Friedrich von Schiller