Raising my mast solo

I'm new to the 16, have a 14T and have had an 18. I tried to raise my mast in the yard today making sure everything is good before heading to the water. The problem I ran into was getting the mast base to seat in the mast step. I would get the mast up and the base would hit on the top of the step, not into the socket. Tried a few times until a storm came up and ran me into the house. Is there a technique to getting it in the step? I've never had this trouble on my 14. Oh and it's an '81 16.

Mac

I have an 82 H16 and what I do is when the mast is most of the way up, I hold it up with my right hand and then reach down with my left hand and pull the bottom of the mast back (as far as the mast step link will go) while I push the mast up the rest of the way with my right hand.

By reaching down and pulling back on the mast, it positions the knob on the bottom of the mast base directly over top of the cup of the mast step so it aligns properly and will drop in as the mast is raised the rest of the way. This process will prevent the knob on the bottom of the mast base from coming down on top of the front rim of the mast step base and ripping something loose.

_________________
Tim
84 H16
82 H16
87 H14T
Tortola Sails: 115222
Blue Prism Sails: 88863
Clearwater, FL

I tried doing that, but the mast was pretty far up when I tried it. I'll play around with it when no storms are around. Never had this trouble with the 14, pretty close to the same set up as far as mast raising it seems.

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=37468

This is a recent and relevant topic..Chris

Last weekend I re-rigged my trap-lines and replaced the shock-cords and ropes.

While I was putting the mast up, the same thing happened to me in that it got stuck and wouldn't settle into the step. I found a simple bit of a clockwise/counterclockwise rotation of the mast gave it a bit of movement and helped it settle properly.

Other times, it has always been a 3-phase exercise.

1: Lift the mast till its a little over my head and being held up by my arms, semi straight.

2: I take a step forward and rest it on my shoulder while grabbing the mast a little lower down. Then, it's a quick but authoritative jerk back on the bottom section to get the mast to drop in to the step.

3: Then I walk it up the rest of the way with my heart in my mouth, hoping that I have done the shrouds up securely. (I know I have, but I can just never get over my fear of this thing going over the front or side of the boat due to me forgetting something.)


Is it just me, or have we all purchased the boat with the hardest and clumsiest mast in the world, to step?

I'm reasonably strong (200kg Deadlift, 130kg Bench) but it always seems a struggle to keep the mast inline while I'm stepping it.

Anyway, I hope this helps.

Rob.

_________________
'97 Hobie 16.

Skype: rob_arnolda

I know this said raising solo, but i find it easier to step the mast up by making sure someone helps me pulling the jib halyard...

and also make sure the step link is properly placed, when i realized my step link was in the wrong way and shifted i solved my problem...

I have been reading both posts on this subject, and keep wondering if people are using the wrong hole in the mast stepper? There are two holes, one for the H14 and one for the H16. Just looking at them, I can see where you would have this issue if you used the H14 holes while stepping an H16.

I just want to confirm. I know it sounds basic...

Keep us posted.

Also, I just saw a video in the FAQ that shows how to use the jib blocks and cleats to pull the forestay into position and hold it there while you run down and pin it. I haven't tried it yet, but it looks brilliant once you figure out what he is trying to show you.

This is a subject near and dear to my heart, as I am quite new at all this and see stepping the mast myself as the 'make or break' key to my enjoyment.

_________________
Steve
2017 Hobie 16 "Cayman" sails 114795
1985 & 1973? Hobie 14 "Sea & Ski"

+1.

_________________
'97 Hobie 16.

Skype: rob_arnolda

Here's a video of Matt Miller stepping the mast, among other great tuning tips.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VeBZOCJCoY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4b2NBTpBSQ

_________________
'81 H16

If it ain't a blowin', I ain't a goin'

If I understand correctly, a newer model step link that's in good shape will solve this problem. The mast will rotate on the lower pin until the shoulder of the hinge catches. Then it will rotate on the upper pin into the cup.

Can someone verify this? Me....I continue to do like Tim, strugging with an old hinge, but I normally have assistance.

_________________
Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16

Yeah if I had someone else there it wouldn't be an issue. I'm starting to think it may be the old worn out step link. It's got a cotter pin used to attach it to the mast step.

Took the old bent up cotter pin out and replaced it with a bolt, worked fine.

The newer style step link that stops against the mast base and lets the mast drop in to the socket is sold by Murrays and is not a Hobie part. I bought one because I was having trouble doing it the old way - raising the mast part way and making a quick stop then pushing up to toggle the step link. The new link works great but it must be removed completely for sailing. The part that hits the base sticks up too high once you pull the upper pin and lay the link down.

_________________
Howard

Here's a link ...again...I've posted it here before and it's got instructions and pics from my web page.
I weigh 70 kgs and I can raise the mast alone in all kinds of weather: http://www.johnahern.net/page20.html

Hi John,

Thanks for the link. This takes some of the key bits from Matt Miller's video and expands on them to make it even easier. The extended Y you mention was already part of the plan for my Hobie Dock I am building. The other neat trick was using a phillips screwdriver for the step pin, having the handle to pull it out with.

Matt uses the existing pullies for the Jib sheets, where you added another one, but same principle, to get leverage on the mast and hold the forestay near the place where you need to pin it, so that you can jump off the tramp and insert the pin.

Thanks for the tips.

Originally I was having difficulty with the low resolution pictures, but was able to figure them all out after a couple minutes.

_________________
Steve
2017 Hobie 16 "Cayman" sails 114795
1985 & 1973? Hobie 14 "Sea & Ski"