Amazing similarities. I, too, raise my mast by hand. I eff'd around with
with the pole too long and decided it was more trouble than help. I got my
boat (#1015 (when I first got laid (10th month of my 15th year [sic]))) last
April, and of the 29 times I have launched it, I have successfully raised
the mast on the first attempt 27 times. Once a baby shroud got caught under
the lip of the cabin top hatch and the other time a long shroud got caught
on the motor. Both times I recovered quickly by dropping the mast back into
the crutch.
I have found that by parking my rig with the bow lower than the stern (hard
to do on a level parking lot) I can raise the mast easier. I also pull the
halyard forward to tighten the forestay. I have found uses for each part of
the mast rigging option with the exception of the pole, but may cut that
short for an underway support, forward for the mast in the lowerd position.
BTW, I have become what some people on this group refer to as a technical
sailor. That loosely means that after a year I have made major
modifications to the original boat. Be glad to share what I did with you if
you're so inclined after you have gotten used to the basic package.
Jim Tietjen
P19 #1015
Huntsville, AL