Mast Raising

[Bud]

I need to add some sort of help to raise my mast. It seems to be getting heavier. I was thinking of adding a tube inside of the mast crutch so I could raise the mast around three feet before trying to raise it. I also replaced my trailer winch with a 2600-pound rated winch. I have an O ring welded to my bow pulpit. The o ring is for my code zero sail. I am thinking if I ran the winch strap thru the o ring to stabilize it and then attach the winch strap to the jib halyard I could crank the mast up.
Any thoughts on where and what I could use for a tube? The inside diameter of the mast crutch is 3/4 of an inch.
I am looking for a way to raise the mast with the least amount of modification possible.

[Bud]

I didn't mention it, but I am talking about my P19. I can still raise the P14 mast without assistance .

[Tim West Coast]

It seems like anything that small of diameter would have to strong and therefore heavy. What about and aluminum tube on the outside of crutch? Not sure what your crutch looks like so maybe won't work at all.

[Dave K - SF Bay]

What about switching to a MastUP! style telescoping mast crutch?

https://www.catalinadirect.com/shop-by-boat/not-a-catalina/trailerable-boats/mastup-mast-stepper-with-38quot-pintles/

[Doug SC]

I have a pipe with a small roller attached at the top it sits inside the square tube the trailer winch mounts to. I just run the strap and hook from the winch up through the pully and attach the halyard to the hook. raise the mast slowly and If I get any resistance I stop and check to see if any shrouds are caught on something.

You cannot view this attachment.

[Tim West Coast]

I have to notice this does show our demographic being that the first question is about getting help for mast raising.

[Bud]

Tim, my crutch tube is stainless steel. The inside diameter is 3/4". I wonder if an albumin tube, say 5/8" in diameter would be OK.
Doug your rod and block are higher than the bow pulpit, do you crank the mast from its down position, or raise it some first? It looks like you have the original winch. My new winch is rated for 2500 pounds, and it is a 2-speed. Maybe I could crank it up from the down position.
Dave, I didn't know some made a commercial mast-raising system. I would have to get approval from my boss, and she is pretty tight with money.

[Dave K - SF Bay]

Yeah, I know the type. Similarly strict here. However, if it is available from Amazon, I think I would have one by now -  the War Dept. here is apparently trying to order at least one of each item they sell, I am surprised we don't have a dedicated delivery driver already......

[Tim West Coast]

Yeah, I know the type. Similarly strict here. However, if it is available from Amazon, I think I would have one by now -  the War Dept. here is apparently trying to order at least one of each item they sell, I am surprised we don't have a dedicated delivery driver already......

That is because they are too busy sending their drivers out here to the boondocks

[tbodine88]

I didn't mention it, but I am talking about my P19. I can still raise the P14 mast without assistance .

Did you not get the mast raising system? I bought it with my boat. I may be younger than you, so I can still lift the mast with out it.

There was a gin pole that bolts to the mast with a block at the top.The jib line is passed over this block and attached to a pair  of two pulley blocks that run through another block on the deck. I use this to warp the mast so I can attach the fore stay.

If you could attach the gin pole just below the lower stays and run the line over the gin pole through your winch on the trailer that would allow you to raise the mast, I think.

BTW since I have the Nimble now with a mast that is at least four times heavier, I've started lifting weights in the hope that some day I can lift that.

There is also this

https://www.precisionowners.com/images/CKmastraising.gif

Good luck, let us know what solution you decide on.

[Doug SC]

Yes Bud, I raise it from the down position (sitting on the the mast crutch) when  I am by myself. If I get out to the sailing club today I will see if I can get some more photos as I might bring the Potter 19 home. If I do I will be lowering the mast.

[Doug SC]

Looks like it will be sometime early next week before I get out to the sailing club. 

[Six Bells]

I recommend taking a look at the simple mast raising system here..

http://foleyisland.org/?s=Mast+

I made something similar for single handed mast raising on my P19.  I also fitted baby stays to stop the mast from swaying side to side.

Images are courtesy of that site

[Judy B]

Hey Bud!  I'd be happy to give you a hand figuring out the system that would work best for you.  I've seen hundreds of mast raising systems and I've built several over the past 4 decades.  As a tiny person, I gotta use brains, not muscle!  Call me! 

[jbarber]

My rudder craft rudder came with the mast raising device. It has a round tube inside a square section. On top of the round section is a roller. The whole affair mounts to the side of the rudder. The round section slides up about 4 feet. This and a dinghy main sheet block and tackle attached to the jib halyard gives me the leverage needed to raise the mast on my Monty 17. The whole affair is permanently mounted and ready to use when and where ever needed. I've started raising the mast after the boat is launched. I had to lower it once when I arrived at a bridge too early for an opening. After passing under the span, I raised the mast without incident. And all while idling against the current. I don't recommend doing this, but it does work. I suspect my mast is heavier than the P-19 mast. Practice is important. I've raised my mast over 100 times in 6 years and never felt out of control.