DaySailer.org Forum

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the forum and recently (a few months ago) bought a DS1 that required some work / repairs. I finally have her ready to sail and I have no idea how to get the sail in without it seemingly being ready to fall over. Mine has a solid mast that has to be put through the cabin roof to stand it up. I saw a youtube video with a way to do it but it was still extremely unstable trying to get it in. I've a linked the video below. But I'm looking for any ideas on how to get the mast up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39KBRZwOhDI


Thank you for any help!

Welcome to the forum!

It can be done that way, but my advice would be to to to a hardware store, pick up about $12 worth of part (or $20 with inflation) and rig yourself a nifty little contraption that makes the process super easy and something you can do by yourself. My boat came with that, thanks to a previous owner, and I've enjoyed it as long as I've had the boat. In fact, I've used it so much that I've rebuilt it twice over the years when it started to look a bit down at heel.

I wrote down the details, and it doesn't take a genius to put one of them together.

I experimented with an additional gizmo that would further assist someone with back problems or not enough strength, and it is also described there. However, I found that as long as I keep sailing I'm keeping enough strength to raise the mast with just the simple contraption that the boat came with from the previous owner. So that extra apparatus is totally optional, reducing your effort in putting things together. Go have a look.

The video shows the creator's alternate design for an assistive device. I think it falls in between the two I am describing. It gets installed and dismantled, which takes time (the key part of mine remains permanently installed and takes no time in rigging, and is usable by itself. In contrast, the optional part I describe would take extra time).

On key difference is that the device in the video does not require pushing the mast up. Instead you use your weight to pull it down. I can see how this might be an advantage for someone with a bit shorter reach. But it requires more force and effort than my system with the optional addition.

So, take your pick. There's also a completely manual (unassisted) procedure that is documented here on the forum and can be found via following the link above. That one is only recommended for a crew of two people, at least I would not attempt that by myself. I've used something similar on smaller boats with slightly lighter masts.

Good luck. Let us know how you are doing.

Thank you for the response I tried to post my response to yours but it didn't post for some reason. Regardless we've gone with the step up method and it's ridiculously easier than i would have guessed.

The other two methods you showed I had thought of but didn't go with. And i think for this year I will stick to this mostly because I dont want to build anything else for now.

We did get her out on the water this past week unfortunately the wind was near nonexistent so it was a sloooooow sail but we did move under power of wind a little so it was exciting.... In a watching chess kind of way.

I have some questions about mainsheet set up but ill have to create a new post for that.

Thank you again!

"ghosting" in a sailboat can be fun in a meditative way.

And a good learning opportunity to try to get every last little bit out of a weaker wind.