mast raising on Chat 18 catamaran

Mast raising without a crane sounds a daunting prospect but it is actually very straightforward if you prepare properly. Some years ago I wrote an article which you can see here, https://www.sailingcatamarans.com/index.php/articles/11-technical-articles/268-safe-mast-lowering-method so this is really just an update. This video shows my Chat 18, which has a mast from a beach cat, and thus one that could be pushed up by hand, but here I show the system that works on any size mast - the biggest I have raised this way was on a 50ft ketch. The key features are a good tabernacle, a "gin pole" - in this case the boom - and most important, the use of temporary shrouds thus ensuring that the mast cannot fall sideways. These shrouds must have "chainplates" that line up exactly with the tabernacle pivot bolt. When down the mast rests on a, eg, dinghy trailer mast support at the back of the cockpit. If you regularly raise you mast you can fit a trailer roller to the bracket, so it's easy to push the mast to and fro for trailering. The "gooseneck" for the ginpole is a shroud adjuster from my junk box, suitably bent and screwed to the front of the mast. Roller reefing gear has to be kept straight and has a tendency to catch on the cabin roof etc. So I always lash it to the ginpole in about the right position. The "chainplates" for the temporary shrouds are, again, from my junk box and are 25mm OD aluminium tubes that clip into place and are easily removed. They also take guywires from the forward end of the ginpole to stop that falling over. I attached the spi halyard to the ginpole, but you can just rely on the forestay/furling gear. The mast is then raised up using the mainsheet shackled to the forestay chainplate (you may need a longer rope, depending on your boat). 4:1 is easy on small boats, on bigger boats lead it back to a winch. Of course the most load is when the mast is horizontal, you often have to push on the mast when lowering to get it to start moving. So if you can get it off the support you know you can hoist it all the way. So it all seems a lot of ropes and preparation but it's all worth it as the mast cannot fall and you always have total control, even in a cross wind. And you can usually raise the mast singlehanded. If you are only occasionally raising/lowering the mast then the temporary stays can be rope. Make a loop in the end and pass it over the spreaders and round the mast using a boathook or, on bigger boats, a bosun's chair. Easy to pull off again afterwards. Before sailing always check the mast with binoculars or camera to ensure there are no twisted shackles or, especially, T bar terminals (which is why I don't recommend T bars on trailable boats.) Use tape or elastic band to hold the stays in the correct position while hoisting - both will break away as the shrouds tighten.

0

2,234

The Tragic Story of Franz Reichelt and His Failed Parachute Suit Jump from the Eiffel Tower Franz Reichelt, an Austrian-born French tailor, inventor, and parachuting pioneer, died while testing his parachute suit by jumping off the Eiffel Tower in 1912. Reichelt had become fixated on developing a suit for aviators that would convert into a parachute and allow them to survive a fall should they be forced to leave their aircraft in mid-air. Despite numerous efforts to dissuade him, Reichelt was adamant about taking the jump himself. The parachute failed to deploy, and he plunged 187 ft (57 m) to his death. This video tells the tragic story of Franz Reichelt and his failed parachute suit jump from the Eiffel Tower.

0

26,020

Dive into the excitement of stand-up paddleboarding with a luxurious twist aboard the magnificent yacht 'Beyond'. Capture the essence of fun and freedom as you paddle through the serene waters, enveloped by the elegance of the Aura 51 yacht, 'Beyond'. This video is your window to a world where luxury meets adventure on the high seas. With Odyssea Yachting, the perfect sea escape awaits you! 🌊 Book your luxury paddleboarding experience on 'Beyond': https://www.odysseayachting.com/charter-yacht/beyond-aura-51/ Stay connected with us on social media for a glimpse into the elite yachting lifestyle: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Odyssea-Yachting-129918442589991 Twitter: https://twitter.com/odysseayachting Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/odyssea_yachting/ Smash that LIKE button, hit SUBSCRIBE, and ring the bell for notifications to join our crew of luxury adventure seekers. Feel free to share this video with your ocean-loving friends!

0

59

It is unfortunate but we do see a lot of rubbish in the water. However it does make for a good person overboard drill. @sailinghelios2023 Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sailinghelios Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sailinghelios2023/ #sailing #sailinghelios #jeanneausunodessey410 #sunodessey410 #personoverboard #mob #retiredlife #retirement #retiredcouple #boatlife #medsailing #italy