Derigging a ketch rig

[FSMike]

zee -
In his first post liveitwell said he was trading his masts, he has no need to sell them.

[islandplanet]

Your best investment would be to hire a rigger to determine how feasible swapping out masts is. The rigger could inspect the aluminum masts to see what sort of shape they're in. You could have stress cracks in the mast itself or a number of things that should be properly repaired before the masts go into service. It's not like masts are particularly interchangeable. You also need to look at how you're attaching the masts to your chainplates and fitting. The pins need to be the same size. If they're smaller you'll elongate the holes. If they're larger, you may not have enough metal to drill the hole larger.

This is not a project for first-timers unless you care little about your safety and that of your vessel.

[Dennis.G]

Check this out:
Mast Raising From The Bridge? | TownDock.net, Oriental NC

Not really recommending it, but looks like it worked for them.

Other considerations:
I used to raise/lower the mast on my Dana 24 using a whisker pole as a jib pole. A bit of vector analysis needs to be done to figure exact forces involved, and then check all lines, fittings and rigging to make sure can handle the loads. The loads will be much higher than you likely think. Also need to anticipate all possibilities. For example, if boat starts to heel to one side and mast allowed to swing to down side you will quickly increase heel much more than you ever thought possible. Load needs to be restrained from all directions, and all moving very slow and deliberate. Lot's of opportunity for major screw ups.

[liveitwell]

Originally Posted by liveitwell

The real pros are the ones with good advice. Good luck when there aint no one around that'll do your wallets bidding (or change your diapers!

Masts dow. flawless
masts up flawless
no crane
no money
pussy...

[liveitwell]

Originally Posted by Kettlewell

Pro tip--don't come back here looking for sympathy if something goes wrong.

Masts down. flawless victory
masts up. flawless victory
no crane
no money
pussy...

[rebel heart]

I have a 1975 boat with a spruce mast: it's in great shape. I don't know how old the aluminium is but I wouldn't arbitrarily trust a 38 year old aluminum mast anymore than a 38 year old wooden one. At least with a wooden one you can eyeball it and see what's going on.

[sanibel sailor]

Originally Posted by liveitwell

Masts down. flawless victory
masts up. flawless victory
no crane
no money
pussy...

curious behavior, asks assistance then returns to antagonize and gloat.

[pistarckle]

Worry about :
Are the steps the same ?
Are the wires compatible ?
What about shroud angles ?
Are ya swapping wires and turnbuckles ?
Sail Track ?
Winches ?
Might be easier to trade boats ?

[zeehag]

i have 2 below deck stepped masts--main to keel and mizzen to a midpoint between keel and deck....these cannot be stepped sans crane. or sky hook
both steps are fine.
i would trust a 38 yr old spruce mast over a 38 yr old aluminum mast anyday--mine are spruce and repairable without having to find a welder.

each ketch has a different way of stepping mizzen, i have noticed--many ar edeck stepped mizzen and keel stepped main--some are deck stepped both.. have fun and good luck.