Being a relatively recent convert to sailing, I’ve had to work out the hard way how to raise and lower my boat’s mast — i.e. much trial and error until arriving at the present system. I don’t think the current method is very safe, but has the merit of being quick, and can be done single-handed provided you are 6’-plus tall.

I would welcome suggestions from other DCA members, especially those with a Nimrod — LOA 18’, beam 6’, displacement about ¾ ton (my estimate), pivoting 250 lb iron centreplate, half-decked with cabin and access hatch to below-decks, two berths, enamel loo, etc.

The mast is stepped on the cabin top in a two-cheeked tabernacle secured by a through bolt, and held upright by a single forestay and two shrouds aft.

First let me state the big problem with my Nimrod. The mast (with foot bolted in tabernacle) cannot be lowered aft till parallel to the ground because a protrusion on the mast base contacts part of the cabin roof when the mast is about 30° to horizontal. I’ve never tried to remove it by pivoting it forward, and look forward to enlightenment from others if that is easier. My current method takes 5-10 mins. and I’ll describe in full from the ‘trailing on trailer’ position illustrated below:

So I arrive at launch site with mast attached in trailer position. The shrouds (not shown in illustration) are attached to their chainplates, as I find I can raise or lower the mast without detaching them.

I have made a mast crutch from an 8’ length of ½” black gas pipe (from central heating shop) as illustrated:

This crutch will fit in eyes in transom where present boom crutch (only 5’ tall) can fit when needed. I bought my boat ‘complete’ from the previous owner but found I had to make up a mast crutch — do other owners have one as part of the original equipment? If not, how do you cope?

I raise the mast with the boat still tied securely to the trailer, which is still attached to car tow ball. I consider it essential to have the boat rigidly held throughout, and would not recommend mast stepping by this method when afloat.

So to raise (illustration below):

First untie mast from pulpit and stern cleat, tie safety rope to mast as illustrated and place mast crutch in position. Then, standing in cockpit, pull mast towards you till foot rests between cheeks of tabernacle and top end is lifted onto mast crutch. (The mast should rest like this as the mast crutch is only 2 or 3’ above the mast’s natural pivot point.) If a gale is blowing, another person should hold it while the bolt is put in the tabernacle on the cabin top. If the shrouds have been detached, now is the time to attach them.

Now (see illustration) standing in cockpit reach upwards (you must be 6’ plus tall), grab mast and walk forwards, hand-over-hand, till mast is upright and shrouds tight. Still holding the mast with one hand, grab loose end of safety rope and tie it to cabin top handles to prevent the mast falling aft. Finally attach the forestay.

Lowering is the reverse of the above, and I always lower the mast with the boat recovered and tied securely to the trailer. There must be no loose items in the cockpit that you might trip over. If you do, and the mast is still bolted to the tabernacle and unsupported by its crutch, then the tabernacle fitting will probably be ripped out of the cabin top.

A final point — those with a keen eye will have spotted it from my first illustration — after lowering the mast and before moving it forward prior to tying it to the boat, roll mast 180º in your hands; this neatly wraps the shrouds around it.

NB: Don’t use this method unless you are feeling strong. The mast is heavy and must be manoeuvred by holding it either side of its pivot point and taking great care all the time.