Raising the Mast and Re-Rigging

These photos show the process of moving the mast from a set of drums to rising vertically from Wings' deck, then attaching the new stainless steel rigging.  It's taken far too long to complete this, but it's finally done.  Had I not done anything else, pushing and cajoling the Carenage crew to complete this task was worth the entire trip.

This is a set of drums in position to temporarily support our mast as it's raised on Wings' deck, in the background.  The mast weighs several thousand pounds, so we had to rent a boom truck. 

This large human crew carried the top of the mast and a fork lift carried the bottom.  Everyone strained to haul this thing!

The mast has been moved to the pre-arranged drums.  

The boom truck arrived, established the outrigger legs, and began the lift. 

Dominique, the yard owner, is coordinating the lift.  The mast top has been lifted and lines rigged to control and steer the mast while it's off the ground.

As the mast approaches the bow, we can inspect the masthead. When in place, it's 65-feet above the deck, so considerably more difficult to see!

This is the hole in the cabin top into which the mast fits.  Although like all holes, it's dark looking, it's actually the inside of the boat.  Mathieu, our rigger, has cleaned and prepared this hole for the mast.

With the mast a few feet off the deck, the electrical wiring for VHF antenna, radar, and masthed light must be lowered first.

The mast base approaches the deck fitting into which it will live.  Dominique is in the blue shirt, a yard worker is in the hard hat, and our rigger is in the pink shirt.  

Just before it goes into the hole, there's consulation on how best to lower the final ten feet.

The mast is seated on the plate below and our rigger is placing and pounding into place the many mast wedges that center the mast in the hole.  This is French Polynesia so they use wooden wedges rather than soft plastic.  

Dominique is pleased with the results!

Here we see the mast wedges in place. They are simply pounded into place with a rubber or wooden mallet. Our rigger has to "eye ball" the appropriate number, location, and mast centering.