1972 C&C 27 MkI sailboat mast raising...
This is a basic A-frame mast raising kit that I used to raise the mast on my C&C 27 MkI. It was adapted from the drawings for the Tanzer 26/Tanzer 7.5 mast raising kit, which I found at http://www.bora-bora.net/tanzer-spec00.html, images 21-24.

The rest here is just a quick page showing how this works....

[ C&C 27 mast raising kit image ]   You need a mast tabernacle first, which is a fancy name for a hinging mast step. This one hinges on the factory back pin. The inner part slides into the mast and then hinges on the original base plate.
July 2007
[ C&C 27 mast raising kit image ]   This shot shows the mast crutch used to support the mast. It must be high enough to clear the cabintop. A better version would have a roller on top, but wetted carpet slides acceptably.
July 2007
[ C&C 27 mast raising kit image ]   The furler adds complication. The best thing to do seems to be to lay the mast back, point the A-frame at the stern, attach the furler to the frame, then lift the furler vertically and lock down the A-frame.
July 2007
[ C&C 27 mast raising kit image ]   Installed A frame, ready to lift. The line goes to a block at the bow, then back to a cockpit winch. It will be used to raise the mast.
July 2007
[ C&C 27 mast raising kit image ]   JP is winching, his lovely wife is tailing, and I'm watching the mast base for any signs of anything expensive happening. You also have to watch the shrouds here to make sure they stay slack or else they will bend the turnbuckles.
July 2007
[ C&C 27 mast raising kit image ]   Going up...
July 2007
[ C&C 27 mast raising kit image ]   Checking the cable tension on the stays. With this rig, it actually works fairly painlessly. The shrouds stay slack until the mast nears the upright, then tension up about at the time they are needed for sideways support. You probably want to back them off a few inches from sailing tension though before starting.
July 2007
[ C&C 27 mast raising kit image ]   Going going... JP has switched to grinding from the dock just in case something lets go...
July 2007
[ C&C 27 mast raising kit image ]   Almost there... I'm sort of steading the mast but mostly just holding it to make sure to be the first to know if it starts to sway so we can drop it safely. A few big waves or a puff would be undesirable here...
July 2007
[ C&C 27 mast raising kit image ]   Fully raised... cleat off the raising line securely...
July 2007
[ C&C 27 mast raising kit image ]   Borrow an unused line to support the mast when removing the forestay from the rig and attaching it to the boat. (This is a spinnaker halyard)
July 2007
[ C&C 27 mast raising kit image ]   Put in the second tabernacle pin and tune the rig and sail away. This shot shows the temporary mast crutch used.
July 2007