Anyone who has handed in their boat to the service company in autumn and booked the all-inclusive package only needs to pick up the phone for the start of the season: "I want to sail at the weekend. Please make sure that my yacht is moored at the jetty with its sails up and its tanks full." The fact that only a few people can afford this luxury is not only due to the associated costs. For most skippers, looking after the boat themselves is an integral part of the hobby. And even those who have the unloved jobs such as polishing and antifouling painting done for them: When it comes to preparing the rig and setting the mast, many prefer to do it themselves.
The fact that the transformation from desk jockey to recreational rigger does not always go smoothly can be observed every year. It's a minor mishap when you only realise after setting the mast that the wind gauge is still on the navigation table or that the main halyard is running behind the upper spreader but unfortunately also in front of the lower one. This can easily be rectified using a bosun's chair, especially as the sensitive transducer was at least protected from collisions with the crane.
More annoying are the missing bolts or shroud tensioners that are no longer commonly used, as they have the potential to slow down operation under the mast crane. This is precisely the crux of the matter, because regardless of whether it's just the club mates pushing or the experienced professional crew of the winter storage operator pushing for speed: the space under the crane is highly coveted.
The rig should be properly prepared to avoid any stress. You can read about the tried-and-tested steps and how to make the mast and stays ready for sea inYACHT 7/2012, on newsstands from 14 March.
Hauke Schmidt
Test & Technology editor
