How much time to step a mast on 19 Rhodes

[miike]

Hello All,
I am a long time boat owner and sailor, but never owned a sailboat. I am interesting in buying a 19 Rhodes this weekend. I will trailer it to the launch every time I use it. I'm wondering how difficult it is to step the mast with two people? How much time should I allow for rigging and derigging each time I use it? Mast is 27'
Thanks,
Mike in Seattle

[boatman61]

2 people.. maybe 1/2 to 3/4 hour once you get used to it.. the rigging will take longer than de-rigging as you'll have set/tension the rigging just so.. de-rigging is quicker as its just slacken, unpin and lower.. just unclip the front lowers and leave the uppers.. then while one has their foot against the base of the mast the other lowers using the jib/spinnaker halyard.

[miike]

Originally Posted by boatman61

2 people.. maybe 1/2 to 3/4 hour once you get used to it.. the rigging will take longer than de-rigging as you'll have set/tension the rigging just so.. de-rigging is quicker as its just slacken, unpin and lower.. just unclip the front lowers and leave the uppers.. then while one has their foot against the base of the mast the other lowers using the jib/spinnaker halyard.

Do I need a tensioner every time? Would I want to buy one or is as tight as I can get it okay for a day's sail?

Thanks!

[hugosalt]

After you "tune" rig to your satisfaction. (or ask for a experienced friend or rigger to do)
you then can use marker to mark and adjust turnbuckles to mark each time you rig.
May have to do few times to see what makes boat happy. Will be fine for day sailing.
With the usual help/suggestions you will surely get along the dock, after doing a few times with same 2 people you will develop your own system and make short work rig/deriggging.
Welcome to cruisersforum.
Enjoy your Rhodes 19.

[Time2Go]

I believe the Rhodes 19 is very similar
to the Oday Mariner that I trailer sailed for
a few years. From the time i pulled up to the
staging area at the ramp it took about an hour
It’s not just rigging the boat but getting it
set up on the trailer to take on and off the road.
Straps and securing boom and mast
My boat had a furling jib
which made it a bit more work.
I’d also rig downhauls on the halyards
as its easy to lose them up the
mast while raising.
Much easier with two:
One to muscle up the mast
the other on a safety line, I
used the main halyard just in case
the muscle man had an issue
this was so the mast wouldn’t come down
uncontrolled.
Plenty of youtube videos
Cheers
Neil

[flyingfin]

There are two variables that control how much time it takes to step your mast.
A. How many people are watching you. Add 5 minutes per spectator.
B. How far away from the ramp can you park? In addition, if you must block the ramp to step your mast and the ramp is two lanes wide increase time by 25%. If ramp is only one lane, your time now doubles.

[jeffp2]

I have a 16' Sunbird which I keep on a trailer. Takes me 30-40 minutes from arrival to sailing. Lowering the mast always seems about 10 minutes quicker. I don't keep anything (motor, life jackets, sails, etc) on the boat when it's in the yard so there is another 30 minutes on each end.

Finding an easy, safe, and stress free way to raise and lower the mast is key. Doubly important if you single hand. I use an long jib halyard to help steady the mast as it's going up. The halyard also keeps the mast in place until I can get around to attach the stay.

Good luck,
Jeff

[kclancy]

I have a Catalina 22 that I trailer. It took me and my girlfriend about an hour to raise the mast in the beginning. Now it takes us about 30 minutes, stopping occasionally to quench our thirst with a frosty barley pop.

I can now step the mast by myself, which my girlfriend really likes.

Check out this video. Disclaimer - this is not me, but very similar to how I raise my mast. I use my truck ladder rack instead of the board attached to the bow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK_k1LZ1tq8

[CHRIS V CLEMENT]

I have owned and sailed Rhodes 19 sailboats in New Orleans for over 30 years. Stepping and un - stepping the mast is more difficult on this boat because it passes through a hole on the deck and sets on a baseplate in the bilge. It is not a difficult process, but is much easier if there are 4 people available. One person on the ground, two people on deck ( necessary to lift mast straight up and pass it carefully through the hole in the deck) and a fourth person below the deck to properly guide to mast on to the baseplate. Once the mast base is on the base plate it is fairly secure. Shrouds and stays may be connected with round ring dings to save time. Total time to step mast and secure all standing rigging should take 30 minutes to one hour, even with refreshment breaks...

[Robert Tilbury]

back in the 80`s we had a 19 foot sailfish (Lift Keel) we would rig her on the trailer in the carpark away from others wanting to use the ramp it took us about an hour to get her read to dunk ,,,, getting her ready for the trip home was 1/2 the time (then finish cleaning when back home ) ,

There were no power wires anywhere near the car park or ramp back in the day ,
Best advice anyone could give is take your time and enjoy your self ,

Welcome to CF ,