Return to Hobie.com
Hobie Forums
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 1:13 pm

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 3 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Mast steping
PostPosted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 7:23 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Wed Jun 14, 2006 7:18 pm
Posts: 6
Is it possible to step a H 18 mast? Is there a stepping system that could help with this?


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 8:06 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Admiral

Joined: Sun Jul 25, 2004 4:46 pm
Posts: 169
Location: Bakersfield, CA
I'm assuming you're asking if a H18 mast can be stepped without mechanical assistance? It is possible if you're fairly tall and have a bit of strength but it is a very heavy mast. I used to step my H16 mast by myself with hardly any effort at all. The 18 mast is another story. Mast stepping devices are available (page 35 of the 2006 Hobiecat catalog or page 54 of the 2006 Murrays catalog). All of them require that you have a trailer winch. Here's how I do mine (without one of the stepping devices);

1) After all of the obvious preparations have been made, bring two of the trapeze lines (one from each side) forward and hook the trailer winch line to the trapeze handles.

2) With another person ready at the winch (assuming you have one), stand on the aft crossbar and lift the mast enough to where the person at the winch can begin winching the mast up (make sure you leave the front tie-down straps on the hulls until the mast is raised).

3) The winch is now handling all of the weight of the mast. Your job is to walk the mast up keeping it from falling to one side or the other. The higher it gets, the less chance of it falling off to the side as the side shrouds take over.

4) Once the mast is up, pin the forestay into the bridle wire. By the way, this is how I tighten my rig, by cranking down on the winch as it's attached to the trapeze wires until I get it nice and tight and then attaching the forestay. You must keep the aft hull tie-downs on also if you're going to do this as it will tend to lift the back of the hulls up.

Hope this helps,

Tom Hundley
H18M "Windraider"


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 8:20 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Wed May 17, 2006 7:49 am
Posts: 1053
Location: North Carolina
18 mast is easy to step. Takes two people, one lifts the mast up so the other can get under it while on the tramp. Make sure sidestays are loose, not disconnected but at the top of the attachment. Guy on tramp pushes mast up fully and other guy connects forestay to furler. Wires can get hung around the rear of hulls so position them first to avoid. Remember to remove the pin before you tension the rig. I tension with the boom on the halyard or someone hanging on a trap handle.


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 3 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Jump to:  
© Hobie Cat Company. All rights reserved.
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group