Tartan 3400, Owner'S Manual, Page: 53 / 75

master OM Tartan 3400 2012.doc
Page 53 of 69
Start engine. After the engine has reached operating temperature, shut down and change oil.
13.3
Stepping the Spar
CAUTION: ENSURE THAT THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY OF CONTACT WITH OVERHEAD
ELECTRIC OR OTHER WIRES WHEN LIFTING AND STEPPING THE SPAR AS DAMAGE,
INJURY OR FATALITY COULD RESULT.
TARTAN YACHTS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU HIRE A PROFESSIONAL RIGGER TO ASSIST
WHEN STEPPING YOUR SPAR.
The spar is stepped through the deck at the mast collar and is seated on the mast step in the bilge.
a) Good preparation and maintenance of the spar and rigging is essential prior to stepping. The spar
should first be laid carefully on two or more supports, washed and inspected from top to bottom. Check
the masthead and sheaves for excessive wear or abrasion. Inspect all halyards from end to end for signs
of wear or abrasions, and replace as necessary. Inspect the standing rigging carefully, looking for broken
wire strands, cracked swage terminals or nicks, scratches and dents in rod rigging. Inspect all clevis pins
for wear, and to be certain that they are properly pinned and taped so that they do not damage sails or
halyards. Consult your Tartan Dealer if you detect any potential problem.
b) Install the spreaders and secure the rigging to the spreader ends. Be sure the halyards are not
entangled with the spreaders. Pad the spreader ends with foam and tape over thoroughly to prevent chafe
to the sails. Test all mast lights with a portable 12 Volt battery and label all wires at the mast base
accordingly. Tie all running rigging together and secure the bundle to the spar at the lower black band.
Tie all standing rigging together and secure the bundle to the spar at the lower black band. Remove cotter
and clevis pins from all turnbuckles and place them in a container for future use. Back off all turnbuckles
and lightly grease the threads of the turnbuckle screws with a corrosion inhibitor such as Lanocote or Tef
Gel. If the turnbuckle threads have tape adjustment marks, do not remove the tape or alter the positioning
by adjusting the turnbuckle unevenly.
DOUBLE CHECK EACH OF THE ABOVE STEPS BEFORE PROCEEDING.
c) Prepare a rope sling, of adequate capacity, which will take the weight of the spar. Place the sling
INSIDE the standing and running rigging so that it will not crush the rigging against the spar. Next, make
fast a
½ ” diameter tie-down line to the sling, securing the line at the lower end of the spar. Ensure that
the tie-down will not interfere with the removal of the bundle of standing rigging which will be undone
before the sling is removed. To prevent the weight of the spar being carried by the spreaders or mast
hardware when the spar is raised to a vertical position, adjust the tie-down so that the weight of the spar is
carried by the sling and tie-down only.
d) Attach the crane lifting hook to the sling. It is recommended that a piece of carpet be wrapped and
taped around the lifting hook to prevent it from marking the mast during stepping.
DO NOT STAND OR POSITION ANYONE DIRECTLY BELOW A SUSPENDED MAST.
At least three persons in addition to the crane operator should be present when stepping the spar. Position
one person at the foot of the mast to guide the foot as the mast is being lifted, slowly swing the crane