The Catalac 8M and the 9M have a tabernacle designed to raise and lower the mast. Chainplates
are mounted at the pivot point and the procedure is both simple and convenient. Read how I dropped
my mast, replaced everything at the top and rewired it, all in an afternoon.
(click here)
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- Remove all Sails, The Boom and the Mainsheet ( rope & Blocks ). Slot your 50mm Mast
Lowering Boom into the base of the mast.
- Wrap & Tie the forward end of your main Halyard to the eye at Front of Pole, Then lifting
the pole so that it is horizontal & secure, tie the other end of the Mainsheet to a cleat on
the lower part of the mast. For added security you can also connect the jib halyard in the
same way.
- Fit your mainsheet block and tackle to the other eye underneath the pole & then secure the
other block to the Anchor Cleat, using good quality rope / Shackles ! Double up on these
connections and make them strong & secure !
- Shackle the s/s boom wires from the top eye of the mast lowering boom to the forward lugs
on the port & starboard cap shroud stanchions.
- Tie up all unused halyards, insert crutches into transom fittings.
- Loosen off the tabernacle mast support Bolt / Nuts.
- Slightly loosen the Cap Shrouds & the Lower Shrouds. Back Stays can be left alone. Loosen
and Disconnect the Forestay & inner forestay.
- If you have 3 persons position one on the mainsheet, to lower away and the other 2 at the
port & starboard shrouds, to check sideways movement and tension.
- The mast will need a bit of persuasion to get it started, but once underway Keep lowering
nice and steady until in the crutches.
- The mast can then be positioned & secured as required.
- The reverse procedure can be used for lifting. The mainsheet can be led to a Winch to make
the job easier.
- The reverse procedure can be used for lifting. I discovered that if the mainsheet is
installed upside down, it allowed for body weight being added to the lifting force necessary
to raise the mast
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| Mast Lowering Pole Photos |
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| The pole is steel, 2" in diameter, 8'long with a 6" stainless steel tip. It weighs around 25
lbs. Description and photos are courtesy of Steve Ramsey and his boat, the Catalac 8M, S/V
Kelly Ann |
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