Independent guide: Lifting a mast is a crane operation with real risk to people and the boat. Follow the crane operator's and rigger's instructions on the day.
Quick answer
Stepping means putting the mast in; unstepping means taking it out. For most keelboats it is a crane job coordinated by a rigger or boatyard: the rig is disconnected, a sling is attached above the centre of gravity, the mast is lifted clear and laid on trestles. Restepping is the reverse, followed by pinning on the rig and tuning. Small deck-stepped masts on trailer sailers are routinely raised without a crane using a gin pole or tabernacle.
Crane options in Australia
| Option | Where you find it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed mast crane | Many marinas and boatyards | Boat comes alongside; usually the most economical |
| Mobile crane | Hardstands, regional yards | Booked by the hour with minimum charges and travel |
| Travel lift with mast attachment | Some boatyards | Convenient when hauling out at the same time |
| Gin pole / A-frame | Trailer sailers, small keelboats | Owner-operated with the right technique |
Regional and remote locations often rely on mobile cranes, which adds travel and minimum-hire costs — see yacht rigging around Australia.
Preparing for the lift
- Remove sails, battens and usually the boom.
- Tie halyards back to the mast or remove them.
- Disconnect the mast wiring at the deck plug or junction box; label every connection.
- Mark or measure turnbuckle positions so tune can be recovered.
- On keel-stepped masts, remove wedges or the partners collar and the mast boot.
- Ease the rigging so pins can be pulled by hand once the crane takes the weight.
- Prepare trestles at the right spacing for the mast length.
On the day
The sling is positioned above the balance point, usually just above the spreaders, and secured so it cannot slip. With the crane taking the weight, shrouds and stays are disconnected. Tag lines at the heel control the swing. On keel-stepped masts the heel must be lifted vertically clear of the deck before it can move sideways.
What goes wrong
- Wiring cut or pulled: connectors not labelled or not disconnected.
- Heel damage: the mast base swings into the deck or coachroof.
- Sling slips: fitted below the spreaders or not choked.
- Lost tune: turnbuckle positions not recorded.
- Damaged instruments: masthead wind sensor or antenna crushed on the trestles.
Restepping and tuning
After restepping, the rigger pins on each stay, sets up the mast on centre and at the correct rake, tensions the rig and fits wedges or the partners collar. See rig tuning and how to tune after a re-rig.
By boat type
- Trailer sailers: stepped and unstepped every trip; lower terminals and tabernacle pins take repeated bending and deserve frequent inspection.
- Catamarans: tall deck-stepped masts; the lift usually needs a large crane and careful coordination of the forestay bridle.
- Classic yachts: timber masts are heavy and less tolerant of point loads; pad the sling and trestles.
Cost
Crane hire, rigger labour and yard fees make up the cost. The cost estimator includes a mast unstep and crane add-on that scales with boat length.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to unstep a yacht mast?
The crane lift itself is often under an hour for a typical 30 to 45-foot yacht, but preparation takes longer: removing sails and boom, disconnecting wiring, easing and releasing rigging, and preparing trestles. Allow half a day for a straightforward unstep with a prepared boat.
What needs to be done before the mast is lifted?
Remove the sails and usually the boom, secure or remove halyards, disconnect mast wiring at the plug, loosen the rigging screws, mark turnbuckle positions so tuning can be recovered, remove wedges or partners chocks on keel-stepped masts, and check the crane booking and lifting point.
Can a deck-stepped mast be raised without a crane?
Smaller deck-stepped masts on trailer sailers and some small keelboats are routinely raised with a gin pole, A-frame or tabernacle. Larger masts, and anything keel-stepped, should be handled with a crane and people who do it regularly.