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Mast lowering on 20+jr

  • 10 Jun 2026 12:07
    Reply # 13641330 on 13640746
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Bonjour

    Mingming (Corribee ) mast has been steped and unstepped several times succesfuffly using various technique.

    The simpliest is the use of the travel lift crane or a crane.

    We've done it by hand on the trailer with three persons. It's a bit limit; especially during the phase of raising or loweering the mast from horizontal on deck to vertical or vis versa. The three persons must be coordinated and there must be a "chief" do do so. 

    After positionning the trailer betwenn two bigger, grounded, boats , we used the spinnaker halyards of the two boats (and the associated winch) to hoist the mast. This technic may also be used afloat.

    Hopes it helps !

    Eric

  • 10 Jun 2026 09:56
    Reply # 13641319 on 13640746

    Hi Martin,

    Sometimes all you need is to find the right bridge, some ropes, and a few clever people to help ;-)

    Regards - Jan

    Last modified: 10 Jun 2026 09:59 | Anonymous member
  • 10 Jun 2026 09:11
    Reply # 13641315 on 13640746

    Hi Martin,

    KF 20+ are sturdy, though, little big boats.....

    My Kingfisher 20+ came with two masts: a hinged one and a one-piece one.

    If you are going to lower the one-piece one tipe you'll need assistance.

    The steps are:

    -put the boat on the hard. 

    -tye the sail bundle together with a couple of straps and lower it to the deck detaching mast lift and topping lifts.

    -remove sheets and halyard.

    -if possible secure the upper part of the mast to a crane.

    -remove the wedges that fix the mast where it passes through the deck.

    -go inside and remove the floor of the forward cabin to access the mast step. The mast is secured with a bolt passing through step and mast. The bolt is parallel to the boat axis (0°-180°). Remove the aft and fore forks and the bolt.

    -lift the mast out of the boat.

    In my marina there isn't a crane with a separate arm for lifting masts so we made it in the launch basin.

    The boat was lifted a bit to avoid rolling while the mast was loose and we were three people:

    two lifted the mast standing on the deck and one stand on the dock with an extra long hook.

    As the mast is on the deck and no longer vertical, the weight becomes significant and the leverage unfavorable for those standing on the deck. The one with the hook must sustain the mast and help prevent the mast from falling.

    Attached below you find a picture of the mast step.

    I hope this can help you.

    Cheers 

    Mauro

    PS.: you can find a lot of informations about your KF on the KYOA (Kingfisher Yacht Owner Association) website https://www.kyoa.org.uk/ 




    1 file
    Last modified: 10 Jun 2026 09:23 | Anonymous member
  • 10 Jun 2026 00:24
    Reply # 13641268 on 13640746
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Perhaps have a look at the directories and find members with similar boats and send a quick email.  Most likely you will have to have the mast lifted out for transport.  Not a big job and the person who lifts your boat for transport may also lift the mast out?

    Have a look at these links for more on Kingfishers


    18 HG Hasler Kingfisher Original Sailing Instructions
    How to sail a junk rig, specifically a Hasler Kingfisher yacht
    link




    689 Hasler's sailing instructions for the KINGFISHER 20+.
    link Newsletter Issue 13 May 1986
    690 I. Iliffe. Sailing a KINGFISHER 20+ LORCHINKA through the French Canals
    link Newsletter Issue 13 May 1986
    708 KINGFISHER 20+ LORCHINKA in the Med.
    link Newsletter Issue 15 May 1987

    728 Karl Holtman Owning and sailing my KINGFISHER 20+
    link Newsletter Issue 18 November 1988
    630 Admiral Fisher Junk Rigging a KINGFISHER 30 by Admiral Fisher. Stayed masts versus Unstayed masts.
    link Newsletter Issue 4 January 1982


    1066 Azores and back Jester Challenge in a Kingfisher 22.
    link Newsletter Issue 52 December 2008
    97 JRA Original Kingfisher sailing instructions
    link
    1237 Mauro Pau The Refit of Shui Jen
    Choosing, refitting, and sailing a Kingfisher 20+
    link Page: 41
    1314 JRA Junk Rigged Boats in Ireland
    YouTube video with footage of five boats sailing in Ireland. Nunki (Venturer), Galway Girl (Corribee), Palinurus (Westerly), Baidin Bui (Kingfisher), Yvonne (Kingfisher)
    link
    1324 Mauro Pau First Time Solo and a Family Sailing Holiday
    Kingfisher 20+ in the Adriatic. Sailing preparation, characteristics, experience, family
    link Page: 16
    1388 JRA Junk Rig Joy
    YouTube video of a Kingfisher 20+ arriving Dublin from Wales in 2023 in blustery conditions and cruising in and near Dublin Bay
    link
    1413 Mauro Pau Cruising the Gulf of Trieste in Shui Jen
    Sailing a Kingfisher 20+ with family
    Last modified: 10 Jun 2026 00:36 | Anonymous member (Administrator)
  • 09 Jun 2026 11:10
    Message # 13640746

    Hi everyone,  how do I lower the mast on a kingfisher  20+ junk rig?

    Am in the process of buying one and will need to drop the mast for transportation. 

    Thanks 


       " ...there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in junk-rigged boats" 
                                                               - the Chinese Water Rat

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