Lowering the mast on a 28 Cutwater?

[sierracierra]

I have a full bimini that prevents me from reaching the mast from the cockpit, I need to stand on each side to reach the removable knobs. My question on smoothly lowering the mast is what are the ropes for? The two metal loops through which the rope is threaded to do not seem to allow me to lower the mast smoothly.

Anyone have experience using the ropes to lower (or raising) the mast on a C28 Cutwater?

Thanks in advance,
Glenn

 

[BB marine]

The line is for a flag or Burgee. There should be a cleat up on the pilot house roof or roof extension. I untie the line and loosen it then remove the threaded knobs. I stand on the Rail step. I installed additional grab rails on that portion of the roof port and starboard because the Bimini top covers the factory installed grab rails. The rails helped with my balance as lowing the mast.

 

[TexasEye]

On the RT-25 My wife is in charge of the Mast, she stands on the helm seat body thru the hatch above the helm. I have a web strap looped around the mast just below the Anchor Light, since we have to raise and lower the mast every time we go out we had to develop a drill that worked flawlessly.

We leave our slip out the fairway and temp dock in the transient area to raise the mast and antenna and do a final walk around including GPS and Radar checks.

We secure to the amidships cleat helm station, I go ashore and handle the web strap from dockside as the Mate stands on the helm seat thru the hatch, she can easily reach the wing nuts and secure the mast plate and she turns starboard and secures the guy cable and tightens the turnbuckle. If she needs assistance I'm right there...I raise the antenna from dockside.

Mate is tiny, the first few drills she bruised her arms on the Hatch trying to raise the mast without a strap, by grabbing the mast and muscling it up...raising was hard, lowering was looking to be expensive as the weight and reach overwhelmed my Mate!!! The web strap, although not attractive, was the only logical answer.

I have purchased and installed a Fender Ladder on the port side between the aft and forward windows, either of us can now go topside easily, the factory step is useless...so plan B is the Fender Ladder...


(detailed posting is for critique from Masters of the Cutwater/Ranger Tug family, I find most of my innovations are ancient history in the community being replaced or modified by better ideas)


Tex

 

[sierracierra]

Well that clarifies the ropes, I thought they were used to aid the raising or lowering of the mast. Can't have too many places to fly a flag.

Still got lots to learn obviously. Thank Tex for the explanation, hope your first mate recovered fully, trying hard to avoid any injury as well. Us vertically challenged folks often see the things that are "just out of reach"...

I'll look into a solution.

Thanks for the responses,
Glenn

 

[quinsky]

The previous owner of my CW28 installed a Seaview mast which is much heavier than the stock mast. With or without the Bimini, I have to climb up on the overhang (using the step on the starboard side of the cockpit) to raise and lower it.