Setting up a masthead sloop rig a The mast is stepped by crane, either onto a deck step or through the deck onto a step mounted above the keel. The crane stays in place.
b The forestay, backstay and cap shrouds are tensioned just enough to support the mast.
c The crane is removed. No wedges are yet inserted into the mast partners of a keel-stepped spar.
c (Continued overleaf)
A bottle screw or turnbuckle is extremely powerful and care must be taken not to overtighten. As a guide, no lever of greater length than an 8in screwdriver should be used to wind them up in any but the largest yachts.
