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Sorting rigging. There was lots of it.

Lassoing the masthead

Hoisting the mast base aboard

Travis McGillicutty reaches through the bridge railing to free a jammed stay

Bridge traffic got an unexpected view

Fitting the mast into its base

While some of rigging was wire, the top shrouds were just rope.

The view from the bridge. Numerous boaters approached Smith to inquire if assistance was required.

The Boatyard Option

So what does it cost to raise a mast at a boatyard? We called both Deaton Yacht Service and Sailcraft Service in Oriental. Kathy at Sailcraft says “we can raise a mast in about half an hour.” This however presumes proper organization on the owner’s part – all stays labeled, all turnbuckle pins handy. If the rigging isn’t neatly organized it will taker longer – and cost more. Both yards have very similar charges. It can cost as little as $150 – $200 if all goes well, or more if the job takes longer. Karen at Deatons says “the average is probably about $300”.

The Bridge Option

It took Rick Smith, plus 2 helpers and assorted bystanders roughly 9 hours to raise the 40-plus foot aluminum spar. As noted earlier, it was rather scary to watch. There were some tense moments. In the end, the mast was raised.

That Legality Thing

Oriental Police Chief Jeff Casassa got a call from a concerned citizen after noon – Casassa says he arrived at the scene about 1pm, just as they were finishing up (Jeff adds they told him the work had started at 4am). “I couldn’t believe it – I couldn’t believe what I was seeing with my own eyes” said the Police Chief. He points out one cannot use state property (the bridge) for personal purposes in this manner. No charges were made, but Casassa says if the call were received earlier he would have stopped the operation.

Back in the anchorage Wednesday with the mast now raised. Both masts were a bit crooked. Rick Smith says “there’s a few weeks of rigging work to do”.

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Posted Thursday August 5, 2010 by Keith N. Smith