Single-handed mast stepping

I was desperate to sail and I was alone, so I tied a rope to the forestay, threaded it through the bridle back to the bottom of the mast, lifted the mast and tied it off the rope to the downhaul cleat. Then I was able to get off the tramp and connect it properly. It worked, but "kids don't try this at home"...

That sounds similar to how I do it. I use an eye on my trailer instead of the bridle and use the jib sheet cam cleat instead of the downhaul cleat. Seems to work pretty well.

I often sailed my 16 alone. I needed to sail, others were not quite so inspired. That is why I now have a 17. The procedure to raise the mast is similar to what you have done. Here's another idea

Tilt the boat forward.

With the maststep in position to pivot and with the trailer on a level surface, block your trailer wheels, remove the hitch and set the tongue on the ground. Your boat is now tilted down at the bows. Lift the mast into place and the forward lean keeps the it upright while you connect the bridle. We had one place to launch where the road coming in was downhill enough to raise the mast without unhitching the trailer. Up went the mast, turn the rig around and launch. Easy.

Similar idea, if you have the boat in the water already without the mast up already: Pulling the stern up onto shore first usually gives you enough "lean" to pop up the mast without further assistance.

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The fact that this windy world is largely covered in water obviously means that man was meant to sail.

I hear people mention this method. I've never been brave enough just to have the mast just kind of dangling there without some back up support. I imagine it is relatively safe though. Problem is, at least on my boat, the mast is raked back so far, that it would take a STEEP hill to get the CG past vertical.

Untie a jibsheet from the traveler car and tie to a small shackle that you can connect around the forestay wire. Small enough shackle that it cannot pull off / over the thimble. Hook the clew blocks to the lower end of the bridle adjuster. The sheet should run from cleat to clew block and then to forestay wire. Step the mast and sheet the jib line tight and cleat. That pulls the forestay to the bridle adjuster and holds the mast up while you get off the tramp and pin the forestay. This is shown in an old rigging video I did for the 16 years ago.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Hey there pd - Matt Miller's backup method is excellent - I think I saw that video once upon a time- because I have used it myself

HOWEVER here is the entire procedure - you raise the mast THEN rake it like this-
FIRST set up the mast, sail and boom as follows
1) set side stays in or near top hole of adjuster so that the mast can flop forward.
2) lift mast into place - with or without "backup" (I never used it)
3) connect forestay to bridle - top hole of adjuster for maximum rake (steps 5-9)
4) raise sail (preferred method is without the boom)
a) attach boom

NOW rake the mast like this:
5) use the traveler sheet to lock the blocks over to one side of
6) crank in the mainsheet - this will loosen the side stay on that one side of the boat.
7) set stay as far down as you can
a) remember, you need to set the stays equally on both sides
pull boom to other side and repeat procedure
a) if you need more rake, also hang (or have someone hang) in the trap- repeat on other side.

Last step- bend the mast as needed for conditions.
9) lock traveler to center and crank down main. Then lock downhaul as appropriate for conditions

That's it. Use physics and mechanics and all the stuff on hand. Save muscle for elbow bends and 12 oz lifts. 6 lifts an evening is a standard rep

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The fact that this windy world is largely covered in water obviously means that man was meant to sail.

Speaking of rigging video's, does anyone have an H16 rigging video (or sailing video) they would like to sell? I've been out on my 16 twice now but I would like to see the video's to see if we're doing everything right.

I just tell my wife to do it, and come tell me when its done, so I can have some beer to get hydrated before sailing.

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It's such a fine line between stupid and clever.

86 H16