The mast will stay standing on it's own if you get it leaning forward from the vertical. It also makes it easier to shoulder into to place because gravity takes over. The steeper you get the boat leaning the easier the process.
This method doesn't require any lines or hardware. Just make sure that your side-stays are in the top hole of the adjuster and get the boat positioned with the bow down, just enough to lean the mast forward.
There are many ways to get the bow down:
1) If your approach to the launch ramp is downhill, (and there are no overhead obstructions) park facing downhill, set up your mast, turn the boat around and launch
2) Launch with the mast down, laying on the boat (use a couple life jackets to cushion the mast on the cross bars) Then pull the stern up on shore, set up the mast - VERY easy method if you have a beach to work with.
3) This is the easiest - Unhook the trailer hitch and set the tongue on the ground, set up the mast, rehook the trailer and launch - Disclaimer - BLOCK THE TRAILER TIRES IF YOU DO THIS and leave the safety chains attached to the car - NOT that I would have any first hand knowledge of what might happen. Let's just say, I imagine a lot of other people will find it very funny if you roll into the drink, standing on your trailer, trying to hold a mast in place.
Notes on using the line method described earlier in the forum. Rather than carry an extra line:
a) use a jib sheet. This allows you to use the jib block and jaws to lock down the line when the mast is up.
b) attach the main or jib halyard to the shackle on the bridle. Stand up the mast and tie off the halyard. This allows you to use the cleats on the mast.
Happy sails !
