solo mast stepping on a nacra 5.2 :: Catamaran Sailboats at TheBeachcats.com

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solo mast stepping on a nacra 5.2

1981nacra5.2

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jul 03, 2013

Last visit: Jul 15, 2013

Posts: 2
Posted: Jul 08, 2013 - 10:49 PM

I'm open to all ideas. HOWEVER, I just stumbled upon this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DO4RxwvjKtM

What do people think about this method? I assume he always keeps his boat reversed on the trailer. Dang that mast goes up quick! Oh and I do have a tilting trailer.
erice

Rank: Mate

Registered: Feb 19, 2008

Last visit: Aug 26, 2023

Posts: 671
Posted: Jul 09, 2013 - 02:40 AM

all sorts of ways with no captive base if you only have to do it once a season

you can even roll the platform on it's side, prop it on a ladder put the the mast on and then roll it back upright again
Wolfman

Rank: Chief

Registered: Jun 24, 2009

Last visit: Jun 15, 2023

Posts: 1555
Posted: Jul 09, 2013 - 08:38 AM

Look into the hobie mast stepper 3. Its a gin pole setup for a rotated mast, you use your mainsheet to raise tge mast. I bought one last year and it works extremely well. Once you set it up once or twice it doesn't take very long either. Less time tgan finding someone to help anyway.

I dont think that hobie 16 technique will work as well with the 5.2. You wouldnt be able to get enough angle with the straight hulls.

--
Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
--
MN3

Rank: Master Chief

Registered: Jun 20, 2006

Last visit: May 22, 2024

Posts: 7089
Posted: Jul 10, 2013 - 01:15 PM

almost all the regular sailors where i sail trailer our cats that way (sterns towards the car) so we can use the yoke of the mast to support and kick start the lifting

we all have 30 and 31' masts and solo step all the time.

I personally back my trailer down the shoreline till the boat is on a slope to take advantage (just like a tilt trailer does)

This image is where i leave the boat to rig it. after everything is set.. a back it down the slope till the wheels touch (or the mast is at a good angle to assist in the step)

Edited by MN3 on Jul 10, 2013 - 04:33 PM.
1981nacra5.2

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jul 03, 2013

Last visit: Jul 15, 2013

Posts: 2
Posted: Jul 14, 2013 - 10:31 PM

WolfmanLook into the hobie mast stepper 3. Its a gin pole setup for a rotated mast, you use your mainsheet to raise tge mast.

I have attempted (lazily) to create this myself. As the pictures show, I need to make a more secure connection at gin pole/mast base. I'm debating wrapping a thick strip of aluminum and bolting it together on the front side as well as leaving a hole for gin pole connection.

Do you have pics of how your system works?

I just found this video too, pretty neat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQXXhkEY4Rw

Edited by 1981nacra5.2 on Jul 15, 2013 - 01:10 AM.
RicardOben

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jan 24, 2012

Last visit: Feb 26, 2016

Posts: 173
Posted: Jul 15, 2013 - 11:02 AM

Just put it up and hold it with the main halyard. Not hard. JMHO, YMMV, Richard.

--
Lake Perry KS
H-18
N-5.5 UNI +spin
--
MN3

Rank: Master Chief

Registered: Jun 20, 2006

Last visit: May 22, 2024

Posts: 7089
Posted: Jul 15, 2013 - 01:09 PM

QuoteJust put it up and hold it with the main halyard. Not hard. JMHO, YMMV, Richard.

that depends on the persons ability.
I agree it is a "relatively" light and small mast but there are people who do not have the skills, size, strength, or confidence to do it solo.

I didn't sail much my first 5 years as a cat owner because i was scared to death to drop my h16 mast on someone at our very small launch area... If i couldn't muster up crew ... i didn't sail.

I was being very stubborn and unwilling to walk up to a stranger and ask them to help me step my catamaran.

I realllly wanted to sail so i got "unshy", then I bought an Ez-step from murrays.com for my h18, then learned how to turn my cat around on my trailer and have been able to solo my cats ever since. I only ask for help if its honking out, and that is usually just someone on a safety line tied to my halyard

Edited by MN3 on Jul 15, 2013 - 01:10 PM.
MN3

Rank: Master Chief

Registered: Jun 20, 2006

Last visit: May 22, 2024

Posts: 7089
Posted: Jul 15, 2013 - 01:16 PM

QuoteI have attempted (lazily) to create this myself. As the pictures show, I need to make a more secure connection at gin pole/mast base. I'm debating wrapping a thick strip of aluminum and bolting it together on the front side as well as leaving a hole for gin pole connection.

The EZ-step system had an alum yoke with a strap that would secure the pole in place.
it didn't have to be as secure as a permanent part since the stress is actually on the halyard, not the base.

how are you going to stop that from swaying in the wind? - the ez-step attached to the trap wires stop sway... (worked ok once dialed in ... was a nightmare to dial in)

I don't know your experience level, but I would (personally) avoid drilling a hole for the connector.
I think you may find better solutions in the future.

Edited by MN3 on Jul 15, 2013 - 01:17 PM.