Chrysler Sailors Forum

It was crazy stressful...but next time will be easy. (C26)

Had my wife and 14 year old son helping me. Had read everything here I could find and thought I was ready. I made a huge mistake and the whole thing "exploded" with the mast about 90% down - but no damage done other than to our nerves.

I had clipped the Boom Vang (I used this instead of the Main Sheet blocks) to the wrong place at the end of the boom and when the mast reached about 4-5 feet above the stern pulpit, the shackle slipped which shot the boom off of the pin, the pin out of it's hole, and the mast crashed to the pulpit. The mast head just barely missed the house boat in the slip opposite us. Scared the heck out of us, but nobody was hurt and nothing was damaged. We even lucked out and found the pin laying on the dock finger.

Did some maintenance to my spreader lights and the mast head, re-rigged the whole mess...this time changing the connection point at the end of the boom...and raised it all back up with no more drama. By the way, Tie-Downs are absolutely the way to go instead of ropes. Made length adjustments very easy.

Pictures are here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2 ... ac0328adde

Cool pics, the post raising smiles tell the whole story. Tie downs are a brilliant idea!

Hey DParker can I borrow your son? Your Pictures are great. I had 2 straps with me this time the rest are holding the C-22 to its trailer.

I'm going to give it another try Thanks

Dparker

Nice clean looking Chrysler and the forward vent is a nice touch. I'm overhauling a 1980 c26 myself and looking forward to my first mast rising... sometime in the future. Perhaps if I study your tie-down system more it will come to me, but have you forgone the standard bridles or I'm I looking at this all wrong?

Terrence
Wilmington N.C.
Chrysler 26 1980
Pandora (for now)

Thanks for the photos. I have been using rope and its a pain getting both sides tied evenly. What are the red straps for?

Gotta use the bridles. They are there. They are stainless wire so a bit hard to see compared to the orange tie-downs.

The red tie-downs are to hold the foot of the mast down as the mast is lowered. Without them, the weight of the mast could pop the mast foot up once enough weight gets over the stern.

Have owned this boat 7-8 years. Very happy with it. Have never had reason to lower the mast before now, and was dreading it. Glad to be done with it!

Next time really will be easier.

Hey! Sounds like you had an adventure! Nothing like stepping a mast to fry your nerves! LOL!

I'll have to wait to get home to see the photos! Facebook is blocked from viewing here!!

Glad all went well in the overall picture!

Scott

WOW!

That was close to the houseboat! Glad it all worked out OK!

We had a splice come apart last year and dropped the mast the last foot. Just glad it didn't happen sooner!

Hard to tell from the picts,, but it may have popped out because the pivot point on the bridles looks lower and aft from the mast base pivot point. That and the red straps pulling it aft a bit may have been enough to pop it loose...

I think you should be able to draw a line straight through the bridles pivot point and the mast base, at least that's what I try to do anyways... That part of the raising or lowering is definately where the most strain is on the rigging and my most anxious time!

Billy

Bhacurly wrote: Hard to tell from the picts,, but it may have popped out because the pivot point on the bridles looks lower and aft from the mast base pivot point. That and the red straps pulling it aft a bit may have been enough to pop it loose...

I think you should be able to draw a line straight through the bridles pivot point and the mast base, at least that's what I try to do anyways... That part of the raising or lowering is definately where the most strain is on the rigging and my most anxious time!

Well, I did sight through the upper rings on the bridles and it looked "close" to the mast base pivot point. I didn't really measure it. The bridles came with the boat. They look virtually brand new. I think I'll do as you suggest and measure it a bit more accurately to see if I need to tweek them before doing this again.

Good thought on the red tie-downs pulling to the rear. Next time I think I'll just strap them straight across from the toe rails without the pull to the rear.

Am not really sure what caused the 'explosion' on the way down. I assumed it was where I connected the block and tackle to the boom. I just snapped it over the ~26 inch line that extends the jib halyard to the boom. I figured that when the geometry changed with the mast mostly down, the shackle may have slid sideways on the line. When I re-rigged it to raise the mast back up, I fashioned a dedicated loop at the end of the boom to connect the block and tackle. Going back up was solid and steady. No hint of any pending problem. But for all I know maybe it was the red tie-downs pulling aft. I'll try it different next time.

Thanks!

NICE JOB! GREAT PICS...

nice confidence builder.... I ma reworking my C26 as well and recently got a trailer withthe plan of launching and retreivingt eh boat myself... and dread teh mast raising-lowering... would love more techincal detail on where teh straps are fitted etc.

good going mate!

What about the shrouds do you leave all 3 attached or just the back 2 or upper? Do you loosen them then tune after the mast is stepped.

being it still will be our 1st time raising the mast I figure I would add to this thread.

We have the manual on the boat and internet so I'm sure we should beable to be underway by tomorrow. Leaving shortly for the coast 4+ hour drive (The part that sucks)

I'm also bringing extra block.

The forward shroud must not be connected when raising/lowering. The middle and rear shrouds are fine. I just slacked the turnbuckle enough to make removing the pin easy. Then re-tightened it when done.

whoo hoo the Mast is up and went real easy this time, its nice to have everything needed..lol No pictures it went to quick. and the 1st mate thinks its great.

So I think one more day of hanging out in Manteo then onward.