Stepping the Mast
Before you step the mast, check that the main, jib, and spinnaker halyard ends are at the base of the mast, to
enable the sails to be hoisted.
You can step the RS Elite mast with only two people. Be sure those helping have read and understood
the instructions before starting.
Lift the mast on to the yacht so the foot is towards the bow.
Your helper should now stand at the very back of the cockpit and lift the head of the mast on to their shoulder.
Both should now lift the mast back so the foot is above the mast step. The helper on the transom should be
holding the mast at about the spreaders now.
Warning: the person at the rear of the cockpit requires reasonable
strength:
Push the mast foot down towards the step, the helper on the transom may need to lift the mast slightly to
enable the jib halyard cleat to clear the front foot rail.
Line the hole in the mast foot up with the hole in the step. Push the bolt through the mast foot and screw the
nut on the end.
Walk back in the cockpit and help the second person raise the mast into the upright position in the mast gate.
Warning: Ensure the mast is raised in line fore and aft, as swaying off to the side can damage the
mast foot.
While the helper is supporting the mast in the mast gate, go forward and connect the forestay onto the wire
strop at the bow. Ensure that the forestay is tight enough to bring the mast into the mast gate.
Now the mast will stand by itself.
Elite Mast Strap
Important
- the following guidelines will ensure the safety, longevity and
performance of your RS Elite rig:
The Elite mast is designed to be “pre-bent” under rig tension, and the pre-bend locked in
firmly with the webbing mast strap. This will ensure the mast does not invert (bend
backwards in the lower section) under severe sailing loads, particularly from the spinnaker
pole.
You are looking for at least 75mm pre-bend with a rig tension of 450-500 kgs measured on
the main shroud. The mast should be snugged up against the shaped support in the front of
the mast gate.(As in Fig 1)
The prebend is measured by pulling the main halyard tight from the gooseneck to the mast
tip, and measuring, or estimating, the maximum offset from the tight halyard to the back of
the mast – usually at about spreader height. This should be 75mm or 3 inches minimum.
