on raising the mast

This seems to be a matter of great concern to most f-boat sailors - and it should be. However, the risk of any accident or failure during this operation is greatly reduced by simply doing it twice at the same time. One needs to rig two independent sets of lines and blocks and use two winches to lift the mast. I have done this together with a friend as well as alone. Operating two self-tailing winches allows for this operation to be done without blood, sweat, or tears. Have a look at the sequence of events here. We are using inexpensive blocks (no snap-shackles, though) and genoa and spinnaker sheets.

There is no need for analysis of forces in the lines or on the blocks. It has been tried and tested many times. The magic word for success and safety is: redundancy.

waiting to pounce ...

Venanda Marina on Texada Island: resting after a long days sail, now a cool drink, and then up the hill to the terrific pub with marvelous food. Venanda is one of the few marinas on the way up to Desolation Sound. The warfinger and his wife are real originals, you don't want to miss meeting them. We always enjoyed the short trip from Dave Prichards Marina at Pender Habour to the northern Texada. This stretch is often rather windy, however, we were lucky again, as you can see.