MAST RAISING POLE

Connect the end of the mast raising pole to the mast as shown below. Use a 3/8" x 4" bolt and lock nut.

Photo 23 Mast raising pole attachment

Rig the block and tackle to the end of the pole as shown in the following photo.

Photo 24 Mast raising block and tackle

Tie the end of the jib halyard to the eye on top of the pole. Use a bowline knot as shown in Photo 1. Pull on the other end of the jib halyard until the pole end is about 10 degrees to the rear of vertical. Then tie off the other end of the halyard to one of the cleats on the mast, (located about 5' above the mast hinge). Use the wrap shown in Photo 2. Make sure the line is really secure at both ends. If it comes loose, the mast will fall and someone may get badly hurt.

Take the end of the block and tackle line to the cockpit and pull on it to raise the mast. If there is an optional jib winch on the boat, take 3 wraps clockwise around the jib winch on the port side (the left side when facing forward), insert the winch handle securely in the winch and begin cranking up the mast. Keep pulling on the end of the line to keep it from slipping on the winch. The loads will be heavier at first, but lighten as the mast goes up.

Look around to make sure all mast wires are clear and free of tangles. Again, make sure you are clear of all overhead power lines and that the mast won't hit them when it goes up or when you have to move the trailer after the mast is up.

Look up at the rig to make sure that none of the loops in the wire ends are kinked or hooked over the stainless steel fittings to which the wires attach.

All of the comments in the section describing how to raise the mast manually still apply to raising the mast with the optional pole. The optional system simply reduces the physical effort involved in the mast lifting.

Don't stand under the mast or under the mast raising pole. If something lets go, or the mast falls, these are not the places to be.

When the mast is up, pull the rope tight, and fasten the line securely to the jib cam cleat at the rear of the cabin top.

Now connect the bottom end of the forestay turnbuckle to a hole in the stainless steel fitting at the nose of the boat. Don't release tension on the mast raising line until the forestay is secure and the clevis pin is secure.

Make sure all the pins are securely in place and the cotter pins are opened and secured. Tighten down on the turnbuckle so the rig is snug. Secure it with its coffer pins. One nice thing about this setup is that you will not have to adjust the turnbuckle after it is once set. The pulleys provide sufficient power to stretch the rig enough to remove the pin (This is the only disconnect that you have to make for raising and lowering the mast).

LOWERING THE MAST:

To lower the mast, reverse the process used for either the standard or optional system. Once again, watch for power lines. Before you lower it, put the mast support in its holder in the cockpit. Otherwise the mast will come down on the cabin hatch and cause damage.

Remember, the load gets greater as the mast gets lower. Be prepared. Get a good grip on the line or the mast and don't be fooled by the very small loads while the mast is close to vertical.