Stepping the Mast

The mast was sitting where we built it at Abernethy and Gaudin Boat Builders. There was no way to step it there so the only option was to motor down and load it onto the deck of Astrid and bring it back up to Sidney. We also had a tight timeline to get everything done, collect the mast and get a crane. It had to be done by end of week. We headed down to Brentwood Tuesday afternoon. We got in late that day and rafted up to a big schooner being worked on by A&G.  Some nice rum finished off the day.

Lashing down saw horses onto fore deck. 

Next morning we lined the boat up to the dock with no time to spare with a falling tide and hand loaded the mast with help from everyone including recruited onlookers. 

We were underway by noon and back into Canoe Cove by late afternoon. The mast crane was booked for the high tide on Friday morning. It gave us one day to sort out halyards, fit spreaders, chop the mast step mortise and other details. We worked until 0200 and up again at 0600 to install the spreaders and head over to Tsehum Harbour.

We tied up to the public dock which gives a close reach for the crane. A study of opposites with the MacGregor next to Astrid. Serg from Blackline Marine managed the mast stepping expertly. 

The mast gets lifted off Astid

The mast was set back on the saw horses and we ran all the halyards and lines we planned on using to stay the mast until wire rigging was put up. The crane is about to lift the mast. Serge knew exactly how to sling the mast and how to direct the crane who's operator was very good. I just had to give the mast the slightest nudge and it dropped into the mortise.

Guiding the mast through the deck opening 

The mast step mortise. There is a drain hole of course and a copper English 2 pence piece (there is a story...)

Two tired guys.( L-R John, Kaj ). There had been a lot of hurdles to overcome and a lot of hard work. Getting the mast stepped was a really big milestone and a huge relief. Lunch and a nap was in order before heading out on a falling tide and getting back to work.