[Rhodes22-list] raising the mast

[Richard MacArthur]

Well I got it done for the first time. There was me with my 75 year old
bones, my co- owner with his 150 pounds and my 6 foot 4 inch 250 pound
son in law. I didn't feel much weight while pushing up nor did my co-
owner so I may have found that mythical "one man" who could do it by
himself (he was a shotputter in college).

 

Finally got out for a sail on Sunday and was happy with the way the boat
sails. I've owned a lot of different sailboats and this one sails with
the best of them. I had light to medium winds. Looks like it will have
lee helm in very light winds and balance almost hands off in medium
winds. I have the mast raked back a little and could rake it back some
more if the lee helm were a problem but I like it the way it is.

 

I had to have the mainsail repaired before I launched the boat (named
Eagle's Wing ).  The luff of the main had rotted for about 2 inches.
This must be that which is exposed to the sun when the sail is furled
inside the mast. Has anyone else had this problem? The repair was to put
a patch on the entire length of the luff and I'd like to protect the
furled main from the sun if there were an easy way to do this. On the
other hand maybe it's not a problem. I don't know how long the mast with
the sail inside might have sat on land uncovered and that won't happen
again. Happy sailing, Richard.