I used to do the same thing but I got a free crane(gin Pole) and the stern crunch from a guy in NJ during covid.  It too was home made and a bit funky but it works great. I raise and lower the mast single handed and prefer doing it on the mooring. (Not as far to fall and a softer landing). But -  Have never fallen off Dadventure - knock on Fiberglass.
Boat is in my yard,tarp on.
Ric
Dadventure.

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> On Oct 28, 2025, at 5:54 PM, Larry Gioia via Rhodes22-list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org> wrote:
> 
> Thanks Ric!   I should loosen it as you said. For my ‘86 I bought it 5 yrs ago and it has no crane and no stern mast holder - instead of the crane I loop a line around the bow just below and held in place by the eye used for trailering and use a chainfall connected to the lower fwd stays. Has just enough angle to work.  For the stern mast holder i bolt two pine 2x 3’s together to form an  X  with u.bolts at the top holding a piece of pvc pipe with another pvc pipe sleeved over it as a roller.  I wouldn’t trailer it that way - it has short pvc braces for that - but it works.     I’m sure Stan is looking down and chuckling. I spent a day with him in Edenton as they were making my 2014 - one of my favorite days ever.      Larry    
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> On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, 3:28 PM, Ric Stott <ric at stottarchitecture.com> wrote:
> 
> Larry I have always used the forward lowers to connect to the Crane.  I never had the extender. As long as I ease the backstay and the  Aft lowers, I never had a problem removing the forestay. (Except the curly cue rings are never easy. A ‘Fast pin” would help. Ric Dadventure 
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> On Oct 28, 2025, at 11:44 AM, Larry Gioia via Rhodes22-list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org> wrote:
> When I took delivery of my new R22 in 2014 the delivery person showed me how to step the mast. I took some pics but should have had someone film it.      Lee included the attached printout of Mary Lou’s directions (thank you to both!) when I bought his boat, and I realized I’ve been doing it wrong for 11 years. I have Stan’s written directions but must have misunderstood them.     I’ve been leaving the aft lower stays always connected, disconnecting only the forward lower stays and connecting them to the crane, hoisting the mast, then re-connecting them back to the chainplates. I couldn’t figure out what those 2 little chains were so ignored them - I now realize they are the extenders. It’s always been difficult to connect the forestay, probably because the aft lower stay is holding the mast back.     I looked for a youtube video showing it in detail but don’t see one - I was sure Peter might have one. I think with Mary Lou’s directions I’ll be okay but if anyone knows of a video, I’d really appreciate it.     Thanks!     Larry
> 
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> 
> Richard F. Stott, AIA, LEED AP 
> ric at stottarchitecture.com
> C- 516-965-3164
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