Cool, thanks for posting this Claude...

So to summarize the steps, I think.....

It can be done with two people... three is better, four allows you to have a cameraman too.

1. Try and point the boat into the wind, and have some dock (or another boat) behind for someone to catch the mast.

2. Add a tagline... just a line that attaches to the forestay (or jib halyard) that goes through a block at the forepeak, and back to a winch.

3. Loosen the shrouds.

4. Secure mast butt with some line to stop it moving side to side or forward.

5. When you're ready pull the pins on the shrouds.... one or two people can then walk back and lower the mast while the other person controls the descent with the tagline. Have someone or something ready to catch the top of the mast as it comes down.

We replaced Claude's forestay in just 20mins. Easy.

J

:: I didn't spend much time editing the video, but I did
:: try to put some simple footnotes in the video so you
:: would have an idea of what was going on here. Hope this
:: helps some folks!
::
:: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gSEhvByZGA