21ec mast

[danbell]

I lowered the mast on the 21ec that I recently purchased and am having a heck of a time getting it back up. I have the starboard wire hooked, but cannot release enough tension to hook the port. Any tricks, thoughts, advice?

 

[CAPTCRUNCH]

Maybe unscrew the turnbuckle a few turns?

 

[Snug21]

Forgive me if this sounds too obvious, but keep in mind that the mast stays/wires connect to different points depending on position...on top of cabin when upright and on the front of the cabin above the sun visor when lowered. A few twists of the turnbuckle to loosen/tighten can ease the transition. Keep an eye out for vibration loosening the turnbuckle while towing.

 

[REO6205]

You guys lower the mast on your '21 when towing? The last couple of times I towed mine I left it up, watched it closely, and didn't see any ill effects from it. I don't have a radar.
The height of the mast from ground level is 13'5" with my single axle King trailer.

 

[bob daily]

It will be just fine! UNTIL YOU HIT SOMETHING Why take the chance? Bob

 

[Captain Nice]

I’ve broken, and had to replace, my stack/horn/mast fiberglass piece when I snagged my deployed mast on a tree limb. You DON’T want that boating experience.

CN

 

[lproulx]

I had a variation of the previous post. I lowered the mast, but forgot to re-attach the guy wires to the boat. The mast thrashed abound a little and broke the forward end of that fiberglass piece. The break took the form of a crack down each side of the fiberglass piece abeam of where the mast sits.

After fixing the cracks, I made what I think is not a bad idea to do proactively even if nothing is currently broken. The mast mounting base is originally just bolted to the fiberglass piece, which is in turn held down to the boat by some small wood screws along its lower edge. I unscrewed the forward end of the trim piece inside that has the lights, for access, and installed three 1/4-20 bolts Through the mast base, fiberglass piece and cabin top, with nuts and large washers inside. Much stronger, and will save breaking the fiberglass piece if you slip somehow while raising/lowering mast.

Larry