From the pic I saw, your gonna have trouble stepping that mast
yourself. My boat also has that hook on the backstay.


Shortwave Sportfishing wrote:
I kind of figured that was a standard deal - I had never seen it
before.


It's a replacement for a real topping lift (ie one that goes to the mast
head and allows the boom full swing). Works OK but can be a pain when it
snags things and when the wind shifts as you're hoisting.


As to stepping the mast, I've been thinking about it and tomorrow I'm
going to really look it over and see if I can rig something to do it
safely - like maybe a jack screw deal with a counter balance.


There is a fairly standard configuration with an A-frame, legs braced at
the chainplates and the top just above the balance point of the mast.
Removable stays fore & aft. A clever one can be quite secure yet only
take 15 minutes to set up, don't forget it has to clear the shrouds so
you can put on the standing rigging before taking down the A-frame!

Here's a discussion of one, scroll about 1/3 down to
"2) MAST-RAISING "A-FRAME"
16 Mar 96 --contributed by John Clement:
The mast-raising A-frame I'm making is one I've seen
working on several P-23s,"

http://www.precisionowners.com/faq_textbased.htm

Hope this helps

Fresh Breezes- Doug King