Advice on lowering mast on GB 42 Classic

[FBoykin]

I need to lower my mast on my 2000 GB 42C & all suggestions appreciated. I have the brace that the mast rests in once lowered. My initial thought is to use a block and tackle tied at the radar bracket (maybe a foot below the spreaders) and secure the other end "somehow" to a 2X4 lashed the edges of the front bridge seats.

Mast has 4 stays, forwards attach to bridge railing. Mast is hinged at mast step aft end of flybridge and mast tilts aft.

Thanks!

 

[SteveK]

I have not had to lower mine. It looks like it needs two people. Have two wire forestays and two rope aft, but unsure if mast can lay forward as well as aft.

I have thought when I do it I will rest the boom first, disconnect the halyard and secure it back to one side or other, then undo the two forestays. With one person holding mast upright from falling forward, use the halyard to slowing lower aft while second person applies pressure aft.

Edit: The two rope aft are still tied off and with halyard forward secured I guess one person can do the job

 

[bayview]

Look up using a gin pole.

 

[psneeld]

Google "lowering sailboat mast".....loads of options. I just got finished painting mine. I single hand mine several times a year for bridges or maintenance.


Mine tilts forward...I loosen the backstays and use the winch and line attached to the stern rail to raise and lower. 2 lines from the end of the boom to the flybridge hand rails to keep it centered while it acts as the long lever to assist.

 

[Choices]

It is not that heavy.

Take wingnuts off at the base allowing it to fold.
Have someone remove front stays and lay it back.
Same someone can tuck boom in as it goes down.
Coil up stays, replace wingnuts, stuff rag in base hole.

We lower ours about halfway, and tie it to the bimini bows at the braces. Make sure it can't shift side to side.

 

[mbdana]

Lowering GB Mast

On our 36' it came with the mast crutch which installs about centerline next to the step handrail just before you turn port to go down to main deck. Also came with a block and tackle, assuming it is original equipment, stored under the flying bridge seat. You are correct about attaching to radar bracket. I attach the other end at centerline on flying bridge horizontal hand grab just above slide cabinet door where radio is.

Make block and tackle taught, holding onto the line to pay out, remove wing nuts, have second person gently start leaning back as you keep strain on pay out. At 45 degrees of so, second person can catch and gently lower into crutch.second

Easy peasy!

Good luck.

Mike Dana
Third Reef
36' GB Heritage Classic
Potts Harbor Maine
207-833-5080

 

[koliver]

I have not had to lower mine. It looks like it needs two people. Have two wire forestays and two rope aft, but unsure if mast can lay forward as well as aft.

I have thought when I do it I will rest the boom first, disconnect the halyard and secure it back to one side or other, then undo the two forestays. With one person holding mast upright from falling forward, use the halyard to slowing lower aft while second person applies pressure aft.

Edit: The two rope aft are still tied off and with halyard forward secured I guess one person can do the job

The mast and the swimgrid are the two major failings in design on most GB 36 and 42 classics.

The mast is usually far too heavy for a single person to deal with, so some very elaborate rigs have emerged to deal with it. There is usually a hinge just above where the mast rises past the upper deck, tilting aft. I have seen 1.5" SS poles that stand fwd of the mast and are secured to the fwd part of the upper deck or to the grab handles on the seating, so that a block and tackle can be rigged to lower the mast. Aft there would then be a post standing in a base on the aft deck or on the aft cabin top, with a U shaped top to accept the mast, and a U shaped holder a little lower to grab the boom.

I looked at those solutions when my own mast needed replacement, but I settled on a lighter weight mast that hinges at its base, with an "A" clipped on part way up, that lands on the aft cabin top and supports the mast when down. When up, mine is pinned at the edge of the upper deck. It is unstayed, as I found the stay locations to threaten decapitation when in a hurry to get down from the upper deck. I used this mast to launch and retreive my Laser, which, since at that time I hadn't yet found and repaired its leaks, weighed somewhat more than its design weight of 150#. When hoisting a heavy load like that I would run a temporary stay to the well secured base of my upper helm chair. for lesser loads, no stays are required as the 3" aluminum pipe mast is stiff enough and well secured.

It goes up and down single handed as frequently as I exit and return to my shelter. So far, over 20 years without complaint.

 

[SteveK]

Keith, you are correct about the stay locations to threaten decapitation, but as you noted the design puts the hinge where it would be secured to the upper deck allowing about 3 feet between two solid locations that would eliminate the need for stays.
Not a current concern.

What is wrong with the swim grid?

 

[koliver]

Keith, you are correct about the stay locations to threaten decapitation, but as you noted the design puts the hinge where it would be secured to the upper deck allowing about 3 feet between two solid locations that would eliminate the need for stays.
Not a current concern.

What is wrong with the swim grid?

Steve
Older GBs, both 36 and 42 classics, have a swimgrid design that is too narrow to be useful and too flimsy to withstand any harsh usage. I have ranted about this in swimgrid threads before. That was probably more than enough from me on the subject.

 

[markpierce]

Your mast should be readily dropped with two or three assistants. My tabernacled, but heavily constructed mast, wasn't able to be raised with three men. Needed a small crane.

 

[alormaria]

Annually I raise and lower the teak mast on my 34' Marine Trader. It's in a tabernacle on the aft cabin. There is only an instant where it might get dicey but it never has. I disconnect the front and front side stays. I tilt it and walk back and lower it into the crutch where I disconnect the rear side stays. I disconnect it from the aft cabin top and carry it inside the cabin.



Then I have a beer.