| The Ranger 20 group suggests moving the lower shroud chainplates 10" aft to prevent the mast from buckling. Even though this boat has been sailing since 1979 with the lower shrouds in the original location, it's an easy enough task that I decide I should do it just to be safe. No reason to buy a new mast for want of a couple of chainplates. |
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The technical bulleting describing the modification is available from the Ranger 20 Technical Manual on the Ranger web site. |
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I use some large area washers under the deck to spread the load. This photo was taken before I spent the entire Saturday afternoon scrubbing the boat with Soft Scrub - inside and out to clean it up and get rid of the mildew. Below - the lower shroud modification is complete. |
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| On the Ranger 20 Yahoo group, there is a link to a web page that describes a mast raising tackle that makes raising the mast very easy and very controlled. My mast step was reversed by a previous owner so that the mast could be stepped from the rear, normally the Ranger 20 mast is stepped from the front. I left it as is, but added a spacer below the fiberglass step so that the mast would clear the cockpit coaming. Below is the mast raising 4x4 attached to the base of the mast. |
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| The secret to this mast raising tackle (shown here with the mast already up) is to locate the pivot point of the tackle in line with the pivot point of the mast base. In other words, the stainless ring shown above and below is in line with the port stainless ring and the pivot point of the mast - that keeps all of the steadying lines taut during the raising process. |
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Below, everything connected and mast ready for raising. |
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| Below - I riveted two eyes, one on each side of the mast, about six feet up to hold the mast upright as I raise it. These lines are tied to that stainless ring at the pivot point. |
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| Mast going up, it's very easy and very controllable. I have enough confidence that I can climb down and snap a photo of the process without worrying about it falling over or crashing down. I am doing this alone. |
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Mast up. |
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With the mast up, the 4x4 is lashed to the trailer and the boat is ready for the water. |