Prep Work
Deciphering and labeling the B & R shrouds before
the event is important. Blue Seiche has (9) points
where the standing rigging is connected to the hull:
(3) port & starboard as shown, the forestay beneath
the roller furling drum and a port/starboard fitting for
the split back-stay. A labeled zip lock bag on the nav
station will keep these pins organized over the winter.
Taping the turnbuckles on the threads above & below
will provide an index point for the mast step
procedure in the spring.
The spinnaker topping lift, spinnaker halyard and the
main halyard have been replaced with messenger
lines, leaving only the port and starboard jib halyards
for the up-the-mast hoist to install the mast sling.
Deciphering and labeling the B & R shrouds before
the event is important. Blue Seiche has (9) points
where the standing rigging is connected to the hull:
(3) port & starboard as shown, the forestay beneath
the roller furling drum and a port/starboard fitting for
the split back-stay. A labeled zip lock bag on the nav
station will keep these pins organized over the winter.
Taping the turnbuckles on the threads above & below
will provide an index point for the mast step
procedure in the spring.
The spinnaker topping lift, spinnaker halyard and the
main halyard have been replaced with messenger
lines, leaving only the port and starboard jib halyards
for the up-the-mast hoist to install the mast sling.
| Blue Seiche Mast Step Procedure, 2007 Part I (The Take Down) |
The boom and boom vang were pulled days earlier. The entire sail inventory was also pulled. The boat is empty (but
a mess) below decks, with tools and equipment for the mast step strewn about.
a mess) below decks, with tools and equipment for the mast step strewn about.
Ready? Ready! (We think)
The mast cradles are assembled, the
photographer (Jimmy Grizzell) is on station w/
a ‘shoot list’, the tools we think we’ll need are
on board and the 4th crew member is
approaching out of view, ready to jump on
board. The fenders are being attached and
the cotter pins for the shroud turnbuckles have
been pulled. We should be ready.
The mast cradles are assembled, the
photographer (Jimmy Grizzell) is on station w/
a ‘shoot list’, the tools we think we’ll need are
on board and the 4th crew member is
approaching out of view, ready to jump on
board. The fenders are being attached and
the cotter pins for the shroud turnbuckles have
been pulled. We should be ready.
Attaching the Mast Sling
We're moored to the hull of the Abegweit, the
club ship for Columbia Yacht Club. The
remaining jib halyards (2) were used to hoist and
install the mast sling at the estimated mast
balance point. We chose a point just above the
steaming light, with published reports for this
balance point ranging from this spot to just
beneath the lower spreader. We shall see…
Once back on deck, the jib halyards were pulled
via messenger lines and tied to themselves
Turnbuckles were spun, shroud pins were pulled,
the forestay & furler pins were removed, as was
the split backstay. The shrouds and back-stay
were secured to the mast, leaving only the head
foil and furler to be secured.
We're moored to the hull of the Abegweit, the
club ship for Columbia Yacht Club. The
remaining jib halyards (2) were used to hoist and
install the mast sling at the estimated mast
balance point. We chose a point just above the
steaming light, with published reports for this
balance point ranging from this spot to just
beneath the lower spreader. We shall see…
Once back on deck, the jib halyards were pulled
via messenger lines and tied to themselves
Turnbuckles were spun, shroud pins were pulled,
the forestay & furler pins were removed, as was
the split backstay. The shrouds and back-stay
were secured to the mast, leaving only the head
foil and furler to be secured.
One last question, “Are there REALLY quick disconnects at the base of the mast?”
Ready for Lift Off!
The mast sling has been placed under
hoist tension; lifting the mast just
enough above the mast boot to
provide access to the quick
disconnects that were present.
These were uncoupled w/o major
difficulties (a collective sigh of relief
exhaled by everyone on board).
The mast sling has been placed under
hoist tension; lifting the mast just
enough above the mast boot to
provide access to the quick
disconnects that were present.
These were uncoupled w/o major
difficulties (a collective sigh of relief
exhaled by everyone on board).
The Mast boot and the Wiring
3 disconnects for multiple systems:
The top connector is for the anchor,
steaming and deck lights.
Bottom right is the VHF antenna cable
and the remaining connections are for
apparent wind angle and wind speed.
The connectors are all different so there
was no need to label the fittings.
3 disconnects for multiple systems:
The top connector is for the anchor,
steaming and deck lights.
Bottom right is the VHF antenna cable
and the remaining connections are for
apparent wind angle and wind speed.
The connectors are all different so there
was no need to label the fittings.
Shrouded in mystery (misery?)
The mast head instruments weren’t damaged
by the crane as the mast went from vertical to
horizontal, although we tried…hard. Gathering
and securing the shrouds and back-stay was
completed prior to rotating the mast, leaving
only the head foil and furling drum to be
wrestled with.
The balance point appears to be close at this
stage, but…the head foil and furling drum
weight and location did have an effect.
Easy does it at this point of the process.
The mast head instruments weren’t damaged
by the crane as the mast went from vertical to
horizontal, although we tried…hard. Gathering
and securing the shrouds and back-stay was
completed prior to rotating the mast, leaving
only the head foil and furling drum to be
wrestled with.
The balance point appears to be close at this
stage, but…the head foil and furling drum
weight and location did have an effect.
Easy does it at this point of the process.
Getting close!
Almost there, with only the head foil to
be secured to the mast. The back stay
is the lowest drooped line hanging with
(2) chafe guards.
Almost there, with only the head foil to
be secured to the mast. The back stay
is the lowest drooped line hanging with
(2) chafe guards.
Now the question is: “Will the cradle supports hold the mast?”
Job Complete (or that part of it)
Returning dockside to complete the task.
The mast fit the cradle as designed and
appears to be stable, although it hasn’t
been lashed down as required to make
the 12 nm passage to Crowley’s Yacht
Yard. Whew!
Returning dockside to complete the task.
The mast fit the cradle as designed and
appears to be stable, although it hasn’t
been lashed down as required to make
the 12 nm passage to Crowley’s Yacht
Yard. Whew!
Ready for Departure
The fore/aft positioning of the mast is off-center by
@ 3’, which was adjusted days later after the boat
was in its cradle on the hard.
The cradle is secured to the cockpit and foredeck,
the mast is lashed snug to the cradle.
The upper and middle shrouds ARE in the way and
the mast IS a ‘head banger’, but Lake Michigan is
flat on this day, temps are in the mid-50’s and the
trip should take @ 2 hours, if all goes well. We’re
ready to shove off…
The fore/aft positioning of the mast is off-center by
@ 3’, which was adjusted days later after the boat
was in its cradle on the hard.
The cradle is secured to the cockpit and foredeck,
the mast is lashed snug to the cradle.
The upper and middle shrouds ARE in the way and
the mast IS a ‘head banger’, but Lake Michigan is
flat on this day, temps are in the mid-50’s and the
trip should take @ 2 hours, if all goes well. We’re
ready to shove off…
The 2007 Blue Seiche Mast Step Crew
From L-R: Jim Galiger, Steve Tarpey,
Lorenzo Carrer, Jay Grizzell.
Photographed by Jimmy Grizzell
Thanks for the help provided by Bob
Sperl of the Columbia Mast Step
Committee to make this possible.
From L-R: Jim Galiger, Steve Tarpey,
Lorenzo Carrer, Jay Grizzell.
Photographed by Jimmy Grizzell
Thanks for the help provided by Bob
Sperl of the Columbia Mast Step
Committee to make this possible.
Cradled @ Crowley’s Yacht Yard
Lakeside, ready for transport inside
How she’ll appear all winter. The mast
will be stored with the boat in this
manner. This will make completing the
mast wiring and electronics project
much easier. The windex and wind
instruments have been removed; the
upper shrouds have been
disconnected, reducing the contortions
needed for companionway access.
The process will be reversed in the
spring.
Can’t wait!
Lakeside, ready for transport inside
How she’ll appear all winter. The mast
will be stored with the boat in this
manner. This will make completing the
mast wiring and electronics project
much easier. The windex and wind
instruments have been removed; the
upper shrouds have been
disconnected, reducing the contortions
needed for companionway access.
The process will be reversed in the
spring.
Can’t wait!