H18 Solo Setup Issues

For many years I always stepped the mast with the boat on the trailer, but in the last year or so, I've been stepping the mast with the boat on the ground and I think I really prefer to do it this way.

I slide the boat off the trailer and onto the beach wheels so the wheels are about under the rear crossbar. Then spin the boat so that the stern is pointed directly into the wind, hook up the mast step (note I keep the aft mast stand on so the mast is supported at the back side before raising), and raise the mast.

The advantages I see for raising the mast with the boat on the ground
- Can easily point the sterns directly into the wind to reduce cross wind effect on the mast.

- The mast is lower to the ground by several feet so again less windage.

- The crew supporting the back of the mast is now able to hold the mast several feet higher relative to the boat, so it's at a much better angle for beginning the lift.

- With the beach wheels under the rear crossbar, the boat is naturally in a bow-down position so gravity helps hold the mast up once it's raised.

- The forestay/bridle wires are at a more manageable height for the crew to connect them.

- Less stress on the hulls due to rear trailer rollers.

sm

I had to re-step mine last weekend after replacing my shroud anchor pins. In my case, I find relatively manageable from the trailer simply because the mast is already at belly height when I start. I had my wife up on the trampoline helping stabilizing the side-to-side sway while I stepped up on my sailbox and then the tramp with the mast on my shoulder (I pushed the boat way forward on my trailer so I could use my sailbox like a step). Once I got it raised I had my wife put her shoulder into the mast to keep it forward while I jumped down and quickly pinned the forestay. Definitely a bit awkward raising the sucker, but knock on wood we're two for two so far. The only issue this time was my jib halyard and jib luff ropes became a rat's nest at some point in the process and I ended up put the boat on its side just to get to the mess. Always something with me....