How to Lower the Main Mast on a Tiki 38?

[Marc Vieux]

Hello Wharram Lovers.

This is my first post. 

I own a Tiki38 in the Philippines and do not have access to a crane or other marina services.  It is time to replace my standing rigging and I would appreciate any advice on getting my main mast down.  I have lowered the foremast using the main but now it's time to lower the main.

The boat is built completely to plan, so the mast must come down forward.

I saw a nice photo from another member lowering their mast using the boom and block/tackle secured to the rear beam.  Would love to do that however I'm running the loose footed wing sail and don't have a boom.  Perhaps I can tie a spar onto the mast above my deck pod and try that method? 

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.

[paul anderson]

Hey mate,I lowered my mast on my tiki 26 singlehandedly. So it can be done if you go slowly and carefully. I do understand that a tiki 38 mast is a lot longer and heavier than my stick.I used a nearby tree to help lower the mast.

Is you cat still in the water? Are there any bridges near your area that cross a body of water? I remember boatsmith writng that years back he used a bridge to help assist with mast work.

I am sure others will offer more options.Good luck.

[Maxim Jurgens]

Hello Marc 

As you know we have a sloop Tiki sloop rigged T 38 and two Tiki 30's . When replacing rigging wires we do not take the mast off but use halyards and/or additional ropes as temporary stays and make couple  of extra ones as well . You then go up the mast, cut the loops of the wires you want to replace after noting which wire goes where and  copy them. You slide the new wire up the temporary stay . You can work the loop of the new wire over those of the temporary stays  by  undoing the temporary stays one by one at the bottom and threading them through the loop . Obviously you use one of the additional rope stays to take up the load of the one you are taking off at the bottom to thread through the loop . You need 2-3 helpers to do the job.

If I was to build another Tiki I'd  definetly make a provision to safely  rig temporary  rope stays on the mast below where the loops of the  wire stays go . If you have such a provision then the complete set of wire stays can be changed in less then an hour  instead of the three hours it takes now .

Hope this helps ,say hello to Julie & the kids. Cheers

                                                   Makz 

                                                       Siam Sailing, Phuket 

 

[kim whitmyre]

Verrryy carefully!

[Björn]

as simple as this :-) https://vimeo.com/140237453

[luis]

Hi Bjorn,

It's great your manner to lower the mast; however, if the mast was built according to original plans, no pivot mechanism exists, so you have to lower the foremast towards the bow; and the main mast also towards the bow. Then, the foremast is easy to be lowered because you use the mainmast for the task; but the problem is when you have to lower de mainmast.

Rds

Luis

[Budget Boater]

I would go with Maxim's suggestion. Why take the mast down when you can replace the standing rigging one part at a time, or in pairs by adding temporary stays.

[Marc Vieux]

Thanks to everyone for the replies.

And Makz... you are awesome my friend.  It is so good to hear from you.  I'm going with the method you described.  Won't get to the task till December as I have some paying work to do first, but will keep you posted on how it all turns out.

Please pass along a big "hello" to Annette and Pip!!