How to Step a Sailboat Mast Without a Crane

There are several techniques on how to step a sailboat mast. The simplest is to hire a crane to place the mast into position and hold it while the shrouds are attached. However, if a crane is unavailable this technique utilizing pulleys and rigging already on the boat will allow you to raise the mast single-handedly if need be.

Things You'll Need

  • Sailboat
  • Mast with mast step
  • Rigging
  • Line
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Instructions

    • 1

      Seat the bottom of the mast into the mast step located on the cabin of the sailboat. The mast step is a large metal bracket that allows the mast to pivot into position and holds it securely in place when under sail.

    • 2

      Insert the pivot bolt through the mast step and into the mast; tighten securely. This bolt is placed through the mast at its mid-point in width, attaching it to the mast step so that the mast will pivot forward into position. Untangle all lines and shrouds, the metal guy wires which hold the mast in place when it is in position, organizing them so they will be out of the way while the mast is being raised but accessible once the mast is in place.

    • 3

      Run the rigging needed for the main sail and jib(s). Attach one end of the jib halyard securely to the bow of the boat. The jib halyard is the rope used to raise and lower the jib sail, which is the small sail that is attached to the bow of the boat and runs back toward the mast.

    • 4

      Tie a 10-foot length of rope to the other end of the jib halyard, making sure the entire jib halyard line runs up along the mast and through its pulley at the top of the mast. Leave this end with the extra rope attached free and against the mast where it can be easily grabbed as the mast is being raised. One end of the jib halyard is now attached to the bow of the boat and the other is free against the base of the mast. The entire rope is run through its pulley at the top of the mast.

    • 5

      From the rear of the boat, begin lifting the mast as you walk toward the front of the boat. When you have lifted the mast as high as you can and are as far forward as you can go, grab onto the free end of the jib halyard.

    • 6

      Pull on the jib halyard line until the mast is raised into position. Tie the jib halyard line securely onto a cleat to hold the mast in place temporarily. A cleat is a 'T' shaped metal bracket located along the deck's edge and is often used to secure the boat to a dock.

    • 7

      Secure the mast in place with the final bolt that threads through the mast step and mast. This bolt will be located in front of the pivot bolt toward the front of the boat. Tighten the nut securely.

    • 8

      Attach the shrouds securing the stainless steel wire (known as the forestay) that runs from the top of the mast to the bow of the boat first. Now attach the other shrouds located on both sides and the rear of the boat.

    • 9

      Untie the jib halyard line and remove the extra rope attached to it to help raise the mast. Untie the other end of the jib halyard from the bow. The mast is now ready to have the sails attached.