Posted by Steve (lim@…>)
Stepping the CF mast is easy. I did it the past weekend at the
marina slip with the help of a friend’s Catalina (any sailboat will
work, even another F21). Here’s what I did.
-
Have the other sailboat alongside the F21 and tied together.
This will allow both boats to move in unison. The mast of both
boats should be in line across deck. -
Lower the spinnaker line from the Catalina and attach it to the
shackle of the F21 spinnaker line. Raise the Catalina line until
the F21 shackle locks at the top of the mast (close to it). Secure
the remaining F21 line tightly below the gooseneck. -
You are now able to raise the mast head with ease.
-
Position the mast with the mast head at the bow of the F21.
-
With someone holding the bottom of the mast, slowly raise the
mast head with the Catalina’s lines. As the mast head is raised,
you are able to walk the bottom of the mast to the mast hole
forward. This is very easy as the mast is very light. -
Once the mast is almost vertical, it will slide into the mast
hole on the deck and you can lower it slowly into the hull. -
Ta Da. It’s done. Mast is stepped.
Note: Remember to install the hold down bracket at the bottom of
the mast. It was an oversight and I had to pull the mast up a
second time (about 10") to install the bracket.
Steve Lim