From: Peter Halliwell <peterkayak@...>
Subject: Re: [MicroClass] dismantling a microgem
To: MicroClass@yahoogroups.com
Date: Monday, 22 September, 2008, 6:27 PM

Hi   I do Microchip on my own, but its a bit fraught on occasions.One helper makes it easier.   Remove the boom and all the gubbins so that the mast is held by forestay, shrouds and lowers. Fasten all the other strings bar one haliyard, to the spi pole fitting on the front of the mast and coil all the falls and fasten them to the fitting. Fasten the jib haliyard, or the spi haliyard to the top/front of the pulpit. Tighten it up and cleat it. (mine is a jam cleat on the coachroof) Rig some sort of crutch to receive the mast on the transom Free the forestay. Take a deep breath, grab the mast, uncleat the jib haliyard, and lower the mast slowly aft. (its easier with a friend to lower the haliyard whilst you hold the mast) You have to move aft as this happens, don't fall down the hatch or into the cockpit. If you are lucky enough to have two friends this is where they come in! The problem will be that the mast wishes to swing to one side or another, rather than that you can't support it. Stow it in the crutch. Remove the lowers, coil them up and fasten somewhere where they won't get loose. Remove the forestay, coili it up and stache it somewhere safe. Unbolt the mast foot Free the shrouds, pass a line through the lowest fitting and the kicker shackle on the mast and tension them Put an old sailbag over all the bits of string and the mast foot Fasten the mast to the pulpit, with a large overhang, fasten the mast to the crutch at the stern with a small over hang. Put everything else in the boat, protecting the rudder from damaging itself or the sails etc Make certain that the weight of the keel is taken on the trailer and not the cable that hoists it. Make sue that the boat makes the trailer bow heavy   Have a good trip to Port Edgar.   Regards   Peter H Microchip   --- On Mon, 22/9/08, bty777677 <alan.davidson14@ btinternet. com> wrote: From: bty777677 <alan.davidson14@ btinternet. com> Subject: [MicroClass] dismantling a microgem To: MicroClass@yahoogro ups.com Date: Monday, 22 September, 2008, 3:05 PM Hi there, are there any step by step . idiot proof ways of getting the mast down and all packed away for a road trip? I and a few helpful amatuers raised the mast with Benny Hill results, I would much rather take everything down properly this time. I am going over to Port Edgar in Oct for some lessons and I need to trailer her over there. Regards Alan