Today, the weather was calm (pretty unusual for Heggerscale), dry (very unusual for Heggerscale) and almost 8-degrees C (almost unheard of for January at 900ft), so it’s time to hoist the mast and cast the rubber foot for the mast to fit into the tabernacle…

It’s the second time we have hoisted the mast, but last time involved so much trepidation we forgot to take any pictures… So this time Louise (on light duties having tripped down the stairs yesterday) was pushed into being the team photographer.

The “running foreguy and bipod”, as recommended by PJR, can be seen doing it’s job. Once up we poured the casting rubber into a plastic bag surrounding the mast foot (to make sure it didn’t stick to the sides of the tabernacle).

The pictures tell the story:

The team assemble to plan to deed. Colin, Mike and Malcolm

Pulling the boat out of the barn – Colin and Malcolm were helping from the stern!

All rigged and ready to go.

A lift from the stern to get the lift started, and the foreguy (and Mike) take the strain.

50% of the way, Malcolm inside getting the foot set true.

Very nearly in place, with Colin on the safety line.

A close-up of the bipod and foreguy rigging…

The mast in place, temporary clamps on, ready for the rubber to be poured. – and the weather closing in!

The photographs make the bury of the mast look short, but it really is 10% of the mast as recommended. It also looks quite vertical (it should be according to the drawings and machining of the foot block… Now (once the rubber has set) we can drop it down, fit the masthead fittings and wiring, and then set about rigging the sail!