23 Jan 21:
We downrigged CYANE in prep for her homeport change, here's a few photos of what had to happen along the way, mostly for us to reference when we put her back together.
The first thing to do is hook up a tow vehicle, so the trailer will not tip the boat on her stern when working near the transom. Ask me how we learned about this :)
But first, a look at the little pads we made to support an outboard motor, they prevent gouges in the gelcoat and spread the outboard clamp pressure out over a larger area. The pads are 1/4 inch marine grade plywood, attached with double sided tape.
There is no set order to downrigging, we tend to start at one end of the rig (stern) and work forward.
First thing to do is get the mainsail and boom off of the mast. The mainsheet rigging is 2:1 how Capn Jack had it, a block with a becket arrached to the boom and another block attached to a bridle on the transom. We release the mainsheet and usually leave it attached to the becket block.
Next we wandered forward and undid the sail cover so we could get to the various lines.
Here is the cleat for the topping lift. The topping lift helps keep the boom out of the cockpit when the main is down.
Capn Jack put a quick release snap shackle on the forward end of the boom vang.
The downhaul is released.
Mainsheet gets released.
Mainsheet released and tied. The boom now swings free.
The topping lift shackle gets released next. The other lines there are a sail cover tie and the outhaul.
Main halyard gets released. And then it is time to remove the boom and sail.
Time to tackle the main halyard, spinnaker halyard and spare jib halyard (the one we use if we don't rig roller furling jib.) We should lable these like Webb does, and add a third cleat. Wow, Skipper's boat sure is dirty, it appears that the opsrey likes sitting on the top of the mast...she needs to get out here and clean this up.
Forward tabernacle pin keeper ring is released.
Furler line gets released and pulled up to the furler.
Side stays loosened.
Furler line tied up.
Remove jib furler pin keeper ring. Go find Skipper, who will control the jib stay while the mast is lowered. If lowering the mast single handed, the jib stay can be released at this time, and line attached to the jib stay that runs through a block attached to the little shackle, and run back to the cockpit. That line can be cleated off over the cuddy until time to release the tabernacle pin.
Here's a video of raising the mast using the line.
Capn Jack made this nice mast crutch.
Time to release the jibstay pin and forward mast tabernacle pin and lower the mast. We had already lowered it partway here, then put the mast back up for glamor shots. Skipper walke the jib back while I lowered the mast.
1971 O'Day Day Sailer II CYANE 23 Jan 21 Mast Lowering Tabernacle: https://youtu.be/e9bXrJsGxwA
Next up, we release the upper jib furler drum for long road trips. For short trips we leave the jib attached.
Capn Jack's diddy bag.
Mast is slid forward as far as you like, keeping in mind clearance of the tow vehicle hatch. We wrap old hand towels around the mast at the crutch and over the tabernacle for padding, and cushion the base of the mast where it may contact the tow vehicle hatch. We also tie everything down, including the side stays and pad where needed to prevent metal from rubbing on the deck. The boom tent also works as a storage cover, but we will not trailer with that attached. For long trips we rmove the main from the boom and stow the boom poking out of the cuddy, with the mainsheet tucked into the lazarette. Last thing to do is check the trailer lights, CYANE's trailer is set up with LED lights on the trailer and the trailer guides. More info on those great LED lights upcoming in the Feb 2021 issue of Small Boats Magazine.
Check bearings, tires, safety chains, coupler lock and hit the road. Tires should be less than 6 years old, more info about how to check and why in our Small Boats Magazine article June 2018.
Ready to roll!
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