Single handed mast raising

Took the 18 out yesterday for the first time of the season. Great sailing but a dead battery on my mast raising winch reminded me of how much my 49 year old arms rely on those 12 volts!
I am indebted to those who came up with this idea as it has extended my sailing by many years. Used it all last season with no problems (after installing cradles)
Here is a link to the previous posting for anyone it may help.
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=26174

Fair winds!

look at this video in time 3:40 its look like "no problem"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl7kZOQ5WQk

Helium in the mast really makes it easy I recommend it to everyone.

_________________
ALLEY CAT 1984 RED LINE HOBIE 18 MAGNUM
Sail # 10505 or 277

A properly sealed mast, loaded to 20-25 psi w/ helium, can be so light during high-pressure weather systems as to require a ground tether. (Comp-tip masts require higher pressure due to lower volume).

Your local Goodyear blimp service center can help out on the high pressure helium aspect.

Its posible to seal mast absolutely for keep 20-25psi long time? Rivets doesn`t make problem?

Oh yeah, its easy, I even fill my hulls with it on race days. In the hulls you can't do more than 2 psi, or you will have lift off issues. I work the balloon counter at Party City so I get all the helium I need. I wish there were more places to put it. The rule book says nothing about helium so it is class legal.

_________________
ALLEY CAT 1984 RED LINE HOBIE 18 MAGNUM
Sail # 10505 or 277

Sound like good joke
Few week before I bought some parts for cunningham and I asked seller for riveting and sealing mast. He advise to drill mast near base of mast for draining water (condensation, leaks..) and you write about absolutly sealed mast which keep overpressure?

Don't Try IT!

_________________
H18, H17 & Various motor boats

Yeah, ol' Mecky tosses that stick around like a tinker toy - He must be a pretty strong dude. The first (and only) time I raised my mast with the boat on the trailer I felt like I was standing in a giant bowl of jello. In my case my trailer leaf springs combined with a "springy" trampoline made things feel a bit "awkward". I'm really paranoid about the mast base hinge snapping, and I feel a lot more comfortable raising and lowering the mast with my hulls sitting on the sand.