How Would it Affect Handling if I . . .

[GorillaToast]

raised the mast step 1-2"?

That little bit would make it so-o-o much easier to raise the mast single-handed.

Mast is 27' tall.

[ATTACH][/ATTACH]

I don't have anymore pole left to go higher with the crutch.

[rebel heart]

You'd need all new standing rigging (wires) unless they have that much slack at the turnbuckles which is doubtful. Technically it will allow more heel but depending on your conditions you might not notice. There's a lot of downward force on the mast base so make sure wherever or however you raise it that it doesn't come crashing through the overhead.

Your boom will be higher but an inch or two is pretty irrelevant. My $0.02.

I looked at raising my mast a few feet (by using a taller mast) and the biggest thing I was going to get out of it was increased speed (and heeling).

[Eleven]

Maybe you could do some shackles at the rigging point for now, matched to the depth of packing under the mast.

[GorillaToast]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

You'd need all new standing rigging (wires) unless they have that much slack at the turnbuckles which is doubtful. Technically it will allow more heel but depending on your conditions you might not notice. There's a lot of downward force on the mast base so make sure wherever or however you raise it that it doesn't come crashing through the overhead.

Your boom will be higher but an inch or two is pretty irrelevant. My $0.02.

I looked at raising my mast a few feet (by using a taller mast) and the biggest thing I was lgoing to get out of it was increased speed (and heeling).

I don/t have turnbuckles on the shrouds, just multi-hole adjusters. they're only about 4" long, so replacing with turnbuckles should give me the needed length.

I was thinking about putting a 1" thick aluminum plate under the SS hinged mast step.