P19 mast raising
Bob (rcpmd@roanoke.infi.net)
Sat, 26 Dec 1998 10:15:51 -0500
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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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Regarding mast raising on a P19:
I think raising the mast by one person without some other aid is a real
problem for the average unathletic person. I am short and 70 and I found
it too hard to do the job even with the mast raising kit that came with my
boat. Using this, even with the short side stays supplied, there is too
much chance of the mast veering to one side or the other unless the boat is
sitting perfectly flat. Also it takes a while to attach the kit to the
mast which then has to be taken down before you can sail. My solution was
to rig up a set of double blocks with one attached to the bow pulpit and
the other to the mainsail halyard. One end of the line for this is
attached to the bow pulpit on the opposite side from where the block is
attached. The other end of the line goes thru a fairlead I put on the port
side of the cabin top. Pulling on the latter easily raises the mast. The
forces working from opposite sides of the boat help to keep the mast
centered. After untying the block attached to the mainsail halyard, the
pulley rig can just be left on the forward deck or removed and stored. I
find this much easier, safer, and more convenient than the mast rasing kit
from IM. I have a crude diagram of this, to remind me what to do, which I
leave in the boat. If anyone is interested I could scan and e-mail a copy.
Bob Patten
Daleville, VA