Sliding Gunter Rig

[Ian McColgin]

You want to make a new mast and add a spar as well as a new sail?

Why not make an easier way to raise the mast? Like set it in the tabernacle shrouds hooked up and head stay fleeted to a line that can run through the bow chain plate and back into the cockpit. Have a pole maybe ten feet long - long enough that you can utilize it at a point above the mast's center of balance, the further above the better. This might be a boat hook or a purpose made crutch. You could attach the ends of the halyard together, make a clove hitch over your pole near where it meets the mast and cleat both parts off to keep the pole from slipping.

With all ready, you get your shoulder under the stick and get it up a ways. Take the slack off your snubbing line and start pushin up with your pole. At near verticle just push directly on the mast till it fetches up against the shrouds. Lean on the mast while securing the snubbing line. Now around to the bow. Just hold the head stay while disconnecting the snubbing line and attaching the head stay. Tighten to your settings and sail away.

If you're not class restricted, think about a high roach fully battened (or at least the upper two) new sail. Surprisingly good umph.

G'luck