MAST RAISING/LOWERING SYSTEM

The secret to having a SUCCESSFUL mast raising/lowering is to have control of the mast at ALL times.
One of the idiosyncrasies of raising/lowering a MATILDA mast is that the cabin hatch cover interferes with the mast if the mast is allowed to rest on the top of the rear pulpit, when the mast base is inserted in the mast step.
(If the mast has been removed from the boat, reattach lower shrouds to front chain plates, reattach upper shrouds to rear chainplates.)

Outlined below is our solution to this problem.
Install wind indicator, etc.
Check shrouds are free to move aft.
Install mast support over top bar of rear pulpit and tighten securely two wing nuts
Check halyards are free to move and properly installed.
If extra help is available, install a sturdy [preferably 1/2" yacht braid] line to the forestay so an individual can operate a safety line [he or she takes up the slack in the line when mast is raised and can also hold the mast in any position, in case a shroud or backstay gets snagged on something].
If boom vang/gooseneck downhaul is attached to aft pin hole in mast step, remove fittings.

LIFT MAST FROM TRANSPORT POSITION TO MAST SUPPORT
When mast is supported by the mast support and front pulpit transport position, it can easily be moved aft on the mast support by one person and the mast base can be installed in the mast step.






Brackets that attach to top of rear pulpit [keeps the support from moving up or fore and aft].








Feet on support are restrained from moving forward by the lip on rear of cockpit [tiller can still function with mast support in position- GREAT if you have to lower mast to go under a bridge, etc].








Roller wheel and guides which allow mast to be moved aft by one person.





MOVE MAST AFT AND INSTALL IN MAST STEP

Install bungee cords to hold turnbuckles upright.




Mast base in mast step.
Notice bungee cord holding shrouds upright [reduces chance of bending turnbuckles when raising mast]






Mast ready to be raised.
DOUBLE CHECK
Wind indicator installed.
Turnbuckles held in upright position.
Shrouds are free.
Backstay free to raise. [ my preference is to drape the lower portion of the backstay over the rear pulpit and the upper portion out behind the boat]


RAISE MAST
One person stands in cockpit and lifts mast as high as possible.
Another person straddles mast and stands on cabin roof, bracing mast from moving sideways.
The safety person takes up the slack in the safety line.
The mast is pulled forward as far as possible and the forestay attached.