A Tale of Stupidity ... With a Happy Ending

On Independence Day, I sailed my new Getaway, which I had acquired this past spring, and then pulled it out of the water and onto the trailer before driving several hundred yards to where I hose the boat down. Whether due to sun, wind, beer, or advancing years, I neglected to tie off the tail end of the halyard. Unknown to me, the end attached to the mainsail had gotten wrapped around one of the rudders. As I untangled it, little did I know that the other end was steadily rising up the mast until it reached the top and could go no further (because of the shackle I had tied onto it). Needless to say, I didn't sleep well that night. The next morning we pulled the boat up to the garage and backed it into one of the bays. My daughter's boyfriend, who is taller and younger than I, was able to stand on the roof high enough up to reach around the top of the mast with a pole saw, grab a hold of the shackle, and pull the halyard down. This beat taking the mast down and raising it again. I am curious. If anyone has an easier way to solve this problem, I would appreciate hearing from you.

Been there, done that.

Tip the boat over on the beach / shallow water. That works.

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

Really, dropping the mast is not much of a deal... Especially with two people.

Even with one, if the front of the boat is pointing downhill (towards the water at the beach), it's doable with one person. Pointing the boat down hill allows the mast to stand up with out being supported while you unpin the forestay. KEEP AHOLDOF THE FORESTAY - but you can drop the mast by yourself this way...

You are not alone. A buddy of mine did that as we came in from a sail.

On solo masting, I think the easiest way is to:

1. Tie a rope to the end of the main halyard (be sure the other end that will hoist the sail is hooked on the cleat),
2. Bring that now extended halyard under the under the front bar and then hold it in your teeth as you lift the mast;
3. once the mast is up, pull the halyard and use it as a temporary forestay while you hook on the jib.

The only tricky part is hanging on tot he halyard as you lift the mast. Other than that, it is pretty easy.

I agree with Matt tip the boat on it's side and then using the righting rope let it up again. two people are nice to have.