May 15, 1978
6.4 Mast Stepping A-Frame
After the mast is positioned for stepping as in 6.3 "Stepping the Spar" unfold the mast
stepping A-frame and attach the toggles at the end of each leg to the deck brackets provided.
Laying it on the foredeck, attach a jib halyard shackle to the upper eye at the junction of the
A-frame legs. A snatch block should then be attached to the lower eye at the junction of the
A-frame legs. Attach a second snatch block to the diamond base eye plate located on deck
aft of the forestay chain plate. Secure one end of the spinnaker sheet or the self tacking jib
sheet to a bow mooring eye located on the foredeck. Lead the remaining end of the sheet
through the block located on the A-frame assembly and down through the block attached to
the pad eye on the foredeck. This sheet should then run to the winch located on the starboard
cabin roof.
Do not secure the sheet to the winch at this time. This two part tackle will be adequate to
assist you in raising the spar.
Return to the attached jib halyard and start hoisting it. The A-frame will pivot up into the air.
Continue to raise the A-frame until it becomes perpendicular to the spar, e.g. pointed straight
up in the air.
This jib halyard should now be secured through the triple halyard stopper located on the
coach roof forward of the main companionway hatch.
You are now ready to raise the mast. Double check that all rigging is clear. WARNING
CHECK FOR OVERHEAD ELECTRICAL WIRES. ALSO CHECK THERE ARE NO
ELECTRICAL WIRES BETWEEN YOU AND THE LAUNCH RAMP.
The person working the winch and the tailer should stand to starboard. No one should be
under the spar during raising. Assistants should be on deck to support the mast athwartships
as it is raised by keeping the upper shrouds as tight as possible. Someone should be ready to
attach the twinstay as soon as the mast has reached the up position. Start cranking the winch
carefully, checking lines to ensure they are holding. The greatest forces are at this initial
point of raising. Crank the mast up slowly and steadily until it reaches the full up position.
Care should be taken to ensure that the mast remains aligned with the boat's centerline as it
is raised. Do not allow it to swing off to either side. Assistants on the cabin top are essential
in this phase of the operation. Secure the line that was used to raise the mast and leave it
secured until all standing rigging has been attached and checked. Install second bolt in
tabernacle and tighten after tuning.
Remove A-frame and stow below or ashore.
To unstep the spar, reverse the procedure.
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