[Rhodes22-list] stepping and lowering mast with crane on my Rhodes

[S/V Lark]

Remove the pop top from the mast slider first!!!  One bolt.  Must do to
avoid sound of broken fiberglass.
Unplug mast wiring and secure plug against the mast to avoid stepping on it.
Pull boom up with topping lift and secure it to mast with cleat.    Wrap
lift line as needed to get it out of the way.
Wrap jib sheets around the furled jib.
Release and coil Jib furling line  on deck.   
Release backstay tensioning line  and remove traveler bar.
Disconnect lower forward shrouds (baby stays) and extend with chains.   They
will be slack.   Chains are probably attached to the crane to keep you from
losing them, but are not used with the crane.
Rope on crane attaches to foredeck cleat.    Crane bolts to cockpit roof.
Leave backstays attached but slack.   Leave upper long shrouds with spreader
alone.
Disconnect aft lower shrouds (baby stays) and attach to mast crane with
bolts instead of the pins.
         They route inside the forward lower shrouds now extended with
chain.
Tension the crane enough to remove forestry / jib furling mechanism pin,
The mast is supported by two backstays, long main shrouds and lower aft
shrouds now acting as forestays.
I'm not sure the best way to keep the jib furlur from scratching the deck.
Use winch to lower mast, pushing it to get it started.   Slow.   As the mast
decends the main shrouds go slack the the lengthened forward lower shrouds
take over.
When the mast is down disconnect all lower shrouds.   Remove crane.    
Manhandle the jib and mast to the pulpit where it slides into the track.   
Spend the next hour tying everything down for travel.

The only part hard to do alone is getting the beast on the trailer.



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Alex Cole
S/V Lark
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Sent from: http://rhodes-22.1065344.n5.nabble.com/