Hobie mast raising system? How long to raise?

Do folks recommend the Getaway mast rasing system. How long does it take to raise and/or lower the mast using the system?

Does it really allow you to raise and lower it single handed?

Does it work for lowering too?

--Doug

Not having used one of these, I'm going to relate what one of my favorite customers has told me....

IT ROCKS!

My guy says he really likes it. The caveat was that it took him quite awhile to get it set-up properly (several hours). He hauled his boat to work and did the initial set up in a hanger (he oversees flight ops for a big food company). He diddled with the position of the mounts and lengths of line till it was just so. He was confident raising and lowering was an easy 1-man op.

His advice - practice at home, not at the lake.

Brian C

I ordered one a year ago before they came out, but then canceled the order when I found out I could use the jib sheet run under the forward crossbar and then connected to the halyard (other end of halyard cleated to mast base.) I raise the mast by hand, pull the gib sheet in, lock it in the cam, (now the halyard holds the mast up) I go the bow connect the forstay/jib, release the halyard from the jib sheet, and then finish the other setup. Singlehanded 20 minutes from trailer to sailing.

I used it a few times and give it a bit of a mixed review, although perhaps I need to adjust it a bit and maybe it wasn't quite what I was looking for.

It takes a bit of time to set up:
1. install the plate on the mast, wrap the bungee around it to secure
2. install the "gin" pole on the plate. Wrestle with the retaining pin a bit cause the fit is quite tight.
3. attach the lines to some tangs on each side of the boat using shackles (I've substituted carbiner clips which are much faster than the shackles that came with the kit)
4. attach the halyard to the a sail track "thingeee" on the raising system, and hoist it until its tight. Tie off the halyard.
5. shackle the pole to a bracket that sits underneath the furler unit (with the raising system, the furler is permanently attached to the forestay. Once raised you then attach the furler to the bridles). This can be a bit of a pain. I might replace it with some type strong climbing carbiner
6. add a block to the front spreader bar, so that the angles are right (optional if your winch is located one foot from the front spreader bar)
7. pull some line out of the winch, run it through the block in (6), and then tie it to the gin pole.
8. winch to raise the mast
9. once raised, attach the bridles to the furler unit.
10. take everything apart

It probably takes me 15-20 minutes to complete all these tasks. And it's definitely a one person operation.

Shortly after using it, I tightened up my shrouds so that they were quite snug. It was then quite difficult to attach the bridles when raising the mast (the mast is twisted 90 degrees which makes the rig even tighter). I ended up loosening things a bit so that my raising system would work.

You can of course lower the mast using this system too, but I find it more difficult to do. In particular, twisting the mast and fitting the gin pole to the mast plate so the holes line up is very frustrating.

I have 4 kids (12 and under) and I don't plan to sail alone, so what I really need is a system that gives me an "extra hand" when raising the mast. I'm thinking of skipping most of the gear, and just attaching the winch directly to the furler (which I will continue to keep permanently attached to the forestay). I can then raise the mast by hand, while the kids crank on the winch. Once it's up, I can let the mast rotate to the correct position, and then (leisurely) move to the front of the boat and attach the bridles to the furler.

I would need to haul and guide the mast up by hand, but it would be a lot fewer steps.

I like mine. It takes me about 15 minutes to raise the mast and about the same to lower it. I have no trouble raising the mast by my self. Installation is kinda tricky because the instructions are iffy. I think if you t are having trouble raising the mast it is well worth it. If you are strong and can hump it up, then you probably save time doing it that way. If you would like some pictures send me an e-mail at [email protected].

Totally agree with the last post. Although I don't have a mast raising system and now use a line attached to the forestay through the crossbeam and to the cleat, it is a heavy mast and if you're not confident get it. I learnt this the hard way when I left my wife (all 5 foot of her) holding the mast whilst I undid the forestay. She couldn't stop the mast from dropping and the mast bob hit my youngest son (10) on the head. We were extremely lucky that the injury was restricted to concussion as I hate to think what could of happened!

Tip...

Keep the mast stepping stuff attached to the boat after lowering. I think you can just drop the pole and tie it down.

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