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Mast Procedures
Mast Stepping and Un-Stepping Procedures
This procedure is designed to assist those boat owners who are using the mobile mast crane provided by the Cobourg Yacht Club to step or un-step their mast(s). This crane is typically used for boats 30’ and over who cannot/do-not use the fixed marina crane which is located north of the Coast Guard Station. The Mobile Mast Crane is usually positioned on the North wall of the harbour adjacent to the fuel dock.
It must be remembered that this procedure and the Cobourg Yacht Club members are there to assist the boat owner. The ultimate and final responsibility for this operation is the boat owner’s. Make sure you know what is expected and what you are doing.
Note; this procedure is subject to change, without notice, at any time.
Remember, safety first.
Preparatory Work
Prior to the arrival of the mobile crane the following work is required by a volunteer group and/or boat owner.
1. Tape off and barricade the area in the parking lot which is required for the Crane and the masts adjacent to the fuel dock.. This operation must be performed with the assistance and approval of the Marina’s staff.
2. Open up the Yacht Club’s Mast Compound and prepare the area for storing or removing the masts. Keys for the compound are kept in the Clubhouse. Contact a member of the Club’s executive to get access.
3. When stepping the masts in the spring, remove your mast from the Mast Compound using the mast “dolly” and transport it to the area adjacent to the fuel dock. At the fuel dock, prepare the mast for stepping by putting on the spreaders, attaching the shrouds and ensure that all standing and running rigging is routed correctly. Mount the “windex”, VHF antenna and wind instruments if desired (See warning in Stepping/Un-stepping Procedure). Ensure that you have sufficient “saw horses” or other supports to set-up your mast.
4. When un-stepping the mast in the fall, ensure that there is sufficient space to store your mast on the rack in the Mast Compound. This should be done prior to removing the mast from the boat.
Mast Stepping
With the mast already at the dock and fully assembled with spreaders attached, boats will be brought to the fuel dock area on a “first come, first served” basis.
1. Secure the boat with bow, stern and spring lines. Use a breast line if possible. You don’t want the boat to move during the operation.
2. Ensure that you have all the standing rigging pins ready and available. This is especially true for “deck stepped” masts.
3. The short “lifting sling” is usually supplied by the crane operator. Ensure that you have a “hold-down/pull-down” line of adequate size available. If you are lifting under the spreaders this line is used to retrieve the sling. If not this line is led from the sling to the base of the mast as the “lifting line”. Make sure you know where and how to tie this off.
4. The sling and line are then attached and secured and the mast lifted and installed in the boat. Warning; the crane cable is led past the top of the mast. Any “windex” or wind instruments are vulnerable to damage. If the “windex” is towards the stern and there is no wind-instrument, the cable can be led forward. It is strongly suggested that the “windex” and/or the wind instruments be installed after the mast is stepped to avoid damage.
5. Install standing rigging and pins.
6. The crane operator is paid with cash; ensure you have sufficient funds with you to pay. Check with the Yacht Club organizer regarding the cost.
Mast un-stepping
Before the arrival of the mast crane ensure that the boat is prepared for removal of the mast. All sails removed, boom removed and all running rigging that is not require should be secured and tied-off. Remember to remove all flag halyards and furling lines and disconnect all electrical cables/antenna wires from the mast. Prepare the mast boot for un-stepping. Only the standing rigging should remain. Boats will be brought to the fuel dock area on a “first come, first served” basis.
1. Secure the boat with bow, stern and spring lines. Use a breast line if possible. You don’t want the boat to move during the operation.
2. Ensure you have saw-horses or other supports ready at the dock to support the mast after it is removed.
3. The short “lifting sling” is usually supplied by the crane operator. Ensure that you have a “hold-down/pull-down” line of adequate size available. If you are lifting under the spreaders this line is used to retrieve the sling. If not this line is led from the sling to the base of the mast as the “lifting line”. Make sure you know where and how to tie this off.
4. The sling and line are then attached and secured. Warning; the crane cable is led past the top of the mast. Any “windex” or wind instruments are vulnerable to damage. If the “windex” is towards the stern and there is no wind-instrument, the cable can be led forward. It is strongly suggested that the “windex” and/or the wind instruments be removed prior to the mast being un-stepped to avoid damage.
5. For deck stepped masts, the crane cable must be attached and lightly tensioned before disconnecting the standing rigging. For keel stepped masts the standing rigging may be disconnected prior to connecting the cable. Remember, safety first. If you are unsure, leave all standing rigging attached until the crane cable is connected.
6. With the crane cable/”lifting line” connected and the standing rigging disconnected, the mast can now be lifted.
7. After the mast is removed and laid on your saw-horses the crane cable is disconnected. The spreaders, windex and wind instruments should now be removed and the standing rigging neatly secured to the mast. You can now transport the mast to the Mast Compound for storage. The crane operator is paid with cash; ensure you have sufficient funds with you to pay. Check with the Yacht Club organizer regarding the cost.
This information is the private property of Cobourg Yacht Club and its members. No use is granted except for the personal use of the members.
"Cobourg Yacht Club" is a non-profit organization.100 Hibernia St, Cobourg, ON K9A 3J8, Canada mailing address: P.O. Box 561 Cobourg, Ontario K9A 4L3