[Rhodes22-list] lowering mast

[Bob Garrant]

Is this what you’re looking for

Rhodes Mast Stepping



   1. Remove the pop top from the mast slider first!!!
      - One bolt.  Must do to avoid sound of broken fiberglass.
      - Remove ringdings from inside the cabin with the poptop up before
      you unbolt the poptop.
   2. Unplug mast wiring aand secure plug against the mast to avoid
   stepping on it.
   3. 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.
   4. Wrap jib sheets around the furled jib.
   5. Release and coil Jib furling line  on deck.
   6. Release backstay tensioning line  and remove traveler bar.
   7. 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.
      - NOTE: I've found that if you attach the winch before you disconnect
      the jib, it's difficult to maneuver the jib back to the mast.  So I
      disconnect the jib first and then set up the winch.
      - However, you MUST NOT PUT THE CHAINS ON THE FOREWARD STAYS UNTIL
      THE WINCH IS CONNECTED.  If the chains are on, the mast is free to move
      rearward, which it will do with a resounding crash if the winch isn't
      holding it back.
   8. Rope on crane attaches to foredeck cleat.    Crane bolts to cockpit
   roof.
   9. Leave backstays attached but slack.
   10. Leave upper long shrouds with spreader alone.
   11. 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.
      - It’s much easier to remove the locking rings from the lower shroud
      turnbuckles when inside the cockpit with the poptop instead of
when you are
      on the foredeck.  If you have an assistant the jib forestry pin is easier
      - from the ground.
   12. Tension the crane enough to remove forestay / 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 furler from scratching
      the deck. ]
   13. 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.
   14. When the mast is down disconnect all lower shrouds.
   15. Remove crane.
   16. Manhandle the jib and mast to the pulpit where it slides into the
   track.
   17. Spend the next hour tying everything down for travel.


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

On Thu, Oct 17, 2019 at 1:47 PM gramille <gramille at tds.net> wrote:

> Can anyone guide me to any archive material (a video would be great)
> showing
> the mast lowering procedure? I have the standard winch provided by GB.
>
>
>
> --
> Sent from: http://rhodes-22.1065344.n5.nabble.com/
>