Stepping the Mast

A nice feature of our 1970 Coronado 25 is the ability to fairly easily "Step the mast", nautical speak for laying the mast down. This mast is hinged to make the step easier than masts on other boats. I may never have a bridge that I have to go under as many river sailors do, but it does make maintenance easier.  Theoretically.

Easier, that is . . .  if you have a tri-pod, of which I have none.  I didn't even know I needed a tripod the first time.  We wanted to put a fresh coat of red paint on our mast, so we layed it down and hoisted it up with brute strength.  This required three people and a lot of heave-ho-ing.  We also bent about half of the turnbuckles (the brass connectors that run the lines from the mast to the deck).  I don't recommend doing it this way! 

Our Incorrect Steps for "stepping the mast":

1. Bought beer and bribed a friend to help.
2. Removed all sails.
3. Removed boom from mast.
4. Disconnected topping lift from boom.
5. Inspected and loosened standing lines at attachment points and turnbuckles.
6. Secured one end of both Geneo and Main Halyard to a cleat on the mast.
7. Ran line through block at bow of boat to winch at back of boat and attached line to jib standing line.
8. Needed another block to get over companionway.
9. Painted.
10. Tried to pull mast up, but we were just pulling it into the boat.
11. Heave-Ho-ed up.  Picture: World's Strongest Man contest.

To Be Continued . . .
The Correct Way to Step the Mast!
Next "stepping" project is installation of Wind Vane and replacing a light bulb.