Continued: Checking the mast and the standing and running rigging prior to stepping the mast. Electronics • Check that the navigation lights, deck lights and wind instruments on the mast are working. A 12V or 24V battery must be available for this. This check ensures that you don’t have to climb the mast after it is stepped to change bulbs or carry out repairs. • Check all cables. If a cable has been damaged, identify the cause and rectify it. • Lubricate all electrical connections with Vaseline to avoid corrosion. • Never use any part of the rig for electrical ground (earthing). Standing rigging • Attach all shrouds and stays. The clevis pin which attaches the backstay to the masthead toggle should be fitted so that the head is towards the halyard. This pre- vents the halyard catching on the split pin. • Split pins must be 1.5 x the diameter of the clevis pins in length, and the legs must be bent about 20Ëš to lock them. If opened up more than this, they are difficult to remove. • Tape all split pins and split rings which may come into contact with running rigging and sails. Use fabric tape. Bear in mind that a spinnaker is very easily ripped if it comes into contact with anything sharp, and that in an unsuccessful attempt to lower the spinnaker, the sail can touch just about any part of the rigging.• Lash the standing rigging temporarily to the lower end of the mast so that it does not trail around when the mast is lifted by the crane. • If a jib furling system is to be fitted, it is laid on the forward side of the mast. Attach a line to the lower part, so that one person can control the jib furling system when the mast is being lifted by the crane. A jib furling system can also be fitted after the mast has been stepped. See pages 26-27.
D1.5 x D 20° 18