Mast Stepping and Solar Rack Installation on a Catalina 25 Sailboat (step by step)

[@solrac7782]

Just found your video, we are looking at a Catalina 25 as well. Great content, subscribed.

[@The_Briggs]

Thank you! We appreciate any likes comments and subscriptions. I have some really big announcements coming up soon regarding our sailing plans.

[@b.freanch227]

My brother and I did that with just muscle power. 20 years ago 😁

[@The_Briggs]

Without the roller furler I almost could but that is just too much weight.

[@marklapierre5629]

I'm going to have to think about this some. I'm in the process of refitting a C-25 for live aboard cruising. I figure it will take about three years.

[@The_Briggs]

And just remember, this is just my way of doing it. I am sure there are other ways of doing it. Good luck on your refit!

[@TurnOffYourTV]

Awesome.

[@The_Briggs]

Thanks!

[@sipitak8702]

Thank you for documenting this process.

[@The_Briggs]

Glad it was helpful!

[@johnreuteman2724]

Can you provide some information on the A-Frame poles? Are they steel, aluminum or stainless? What OD & ID size are the pipes? How thick is the metal of the pipes? How are they attached to the boat, thru bolts or quick release pins? I'm not sure but it looks like the A-frames are attached to the most forward chain plates. Is that so?

[@The_Briggs]

They are galvanized poles, probably 1 inch in diameter. I had them in my scrap pile, I think left over parts from building a frame for our sheepherders' tent. If I get down to my boat this winter I will measure them up.

[@johncartelli]

nice..shows the importance of coiling your standing rigging after the mast is dropped for next time. i notice the ability of the mast still had to move sideways a bit as it was raised. I saw a video on how they fixed this. they used the "A" frame, but at its end they had a pc that slides in the mast slot (where the sail slugs go, maybe a slug?) then had the A frame on the stern side of the mast so as the mast went up that pc slide in that slot and still held the mast from any side movement..they used the forestay to the a gin pole (some used the boom) then the main sheet tackle to the bow and a line from thegin pole to the tackle.others just used the upper shroud stays to do the same thing instead of an A frame. i purchased an 81 Sirius 21 and going to make something up for mine... this is why im watching all these vids of mast raising to get the best of everyone's ideas

[@JP-pu5xg]

Nicely put together video Greg. I like the jib halyard on the uphill side technique. I've been using "baby stays" to prevent lateral movement during raising. I have found that it is much easier on my C-25 to raise and lower without the genoa attached to the furler, but you make it look easy.

[@The_Briggs]

I am not sure if I can raise mine without the sail attached. I have never had it unthreaded from the roller. If I assign one person to walk it forward it normally goes ok but the mast would be real light if I could take it off.

[@locutus8496]

This reminds me of my Catalina 22, except that I was able to raise the mast by myself. I didn't need an A-frame or gin pole, or a crank on the crutch. Instead I just attached the mainsheet tackle to the bow and the forestay, and used the 3-1 purchase to pull the mast up. Even so, it was so much hassle, taking an hour and half to rig and launch, that I only used the boat for multi-day trips. So I sold it. It looks like the Catalina 25 is even more work to rig and launch, and maybe impossible for one person. But if you always have lots of help available like in this video, maybe it's not so bad. I'm currently building a Sam Devlin designed "Nancy's China," a 15-ft gaff rigged sailboat which fits in a standard garage stall on its trailer, and can be rigged and launched in 15 minutes by one person. Much more convenient and will enable me to get out on the water more often. It can't accommodate a crew of four, but I mostly single-hand anyway.

[@jdlft.w836]

Excellent How to video. Thank you. Question: Can you comment on towing and the tow truck?

[@The_Briggs]

I tow it with a 1 ton diesel but do long drives t random locations around the NW. You can do short trips with a 1/2 ton, medium trips with a 3/4 ton. I like the bid 1 ton because I can go fast with the boat, 75 mph no problem.

[@Pwander208]

Looks like McCall! I work here in the summer and live in Boise in the winter! I’ve got the sailing bug and am looking for a C25!

[@The_Briggs]

It is McCall. We were just up there. Cat 22 or 25 are pretty amazing. We can do 4 people for a week on the 25.

[@JacobKarasch]

Two of your videos have the image with the whisker pole out, but not in the video! Could you do a video showing how you hook it up? I'm unsure how to attach mine.

[@The_Briggs]

I can send a couple of pictures, what is your email address?

[@honestmotion9953]

Very helpful. So what kind of line do you attach to the bottom of the forestay for raising/dropping?

[@The_Briggs]

I just use the main halyard for the main sail. Where it would usually attach to the top of the sail, I instead attach it to a cleat on the bottom of the mast. I then tie a figure 8 knot at a premarked point on the end where I then attach my lifting cable.

[@honestmotion9953]

@@The_Briggs Thanks so much for the reply! One more question as I look to drop my mast for the first time... With the hinge pin loose but still in, it would seem the mast has to be lifted in order for it to start to come down. If it's not lifted it would seem it cannot tip back because the hinge pin will be stopping it.

[@The_Briggs]

@@honestmotion9953 There is space for it to slide up. The slot is pretty tall.

[@gatecrasher1970]

title needs changing to "chipmonks raise mast and solar arch"

[@earthdog1026]

Nice video. What do you attach the A frame to on the deck? Thanks!

[@The_Briggs]

I pin it to the tabs that the front stays usually attach to.

[@mathewdavis-adventuresandd6643]

Well that didn't look too rough. I like the solar tower. Are you pleased with that tower design or would you do something different?

[@The_Briggs]

I do like the solar tower quite a bit. Out of the way, big panel, and provides some shade. Not sure if you subscribe but I did do a video on that tower.

[@mathewdavis-adventuresandd6643]

@@The_Briggs I just came across your channel. I'm bidding on a Catalina 25 right now, but I was wondering just how much of a chore it was to step the mast.

[@solrac7782]

@@The_Briggs did you build the tower or buy? Aluminum, stainless steel or painted carbon?

[@The_Briggs]

@@solrac7782 Here is the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qorOZnmci8ateLs. Aluminum.

[@skelleytim]

Great video. I'm curious about your solar set up. Does it cause much wind drag and also does it make the boat more top heavy?

[@The_Briggs]

I really don't think so. The panel weighs about 40 lbs and the frame is lightweight. That vs a 750 lb keel....I'm not that worried. And there must be some wind drag but I am not a racer and any downside is overcome by the benefits.

[@intheworkseg6]

You can help by getting off that phone! 🤣🤣