Mast Raising

First we'll treat the THE GIN POLE

Now to actually RAISING THE MAST.

Drawing #2 shows the block and tackle best.

We omitted showing mast stays, shrouds, and hayards to make the drawing simpler. They can be just bundled up near the base of the mast during its raising.

When the gin pole is taken down the line connecting the lower block to the mast is uncleated from the base of the mast. Thus no need to have the crew shinny up the mast.

Note again that it is at the mast's balance point, that it is connected to the lower block of the block and tackle hoisting system. The 24 foot 2x4 pole was of adequate height for our mast on the Outrigger 26. Your gin pole may need to be taller or, able to be shorter, depending on your mast's height and it's balance point.

The objective here is to get your mast to the vertical. It can then be set on a pin, dropped thru a hole in the the deck, or whatever. Typically a boat's boom is not long enough to be used as a gin pole in our system.