Tartan 4000, Owner'S Manual, Page: 50 / 80

T4000 OM
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 toward the yacht while keeping the foot pointed
toward the base of the crane. This will keep the spar from swinging into the crane.