Etchells disassembly checklist

I. Clear for action:

Check trailer before making a road trip:
check, adjust air pressure in tires
grease bearings (compatible with old grease)
check lights
check evenness of supports, carpet on supports and bunks
verify current sticker on license plate, boat registration card, any paperwork needed
check whether any permits or special requirements apply for towing, reduced speed limits, print out any maps needed, check out mast raising poles or cranes for destination, boat ramp conditions, slip or storage availability, etc.

Prepare for work on boat:
remove junk and clutter, take sails off forestay and mast, bag and pack sails
set out tools (typically pliers, locking wrench/spanner, screwdriver), plus duct tape
move halyards and control lines; move end of jib, spinnaker, and main halyards to spinnaker pole ring on mast, disconnect foreguy from spinnaker pole ring
untie and remove ties on shroud turnbuckles
relax backstay and mast block lines
unknot ends of halyards and topping lift


II. Lower the Boom
Untie and unreeve the vang connection; mark the location of the bight of the knot that is untied (some boats may not need this)
Remove the compass (our compass mount does not fit around the mast and is mounted behind it)
Unfasten the shackle connection between the mainsheet block and the traveler car
Remove the boom from the mast at the gooseneck fitting (we have washers that we have to be careful not to lose)
Stow the boom below and tidy up the mainsheet


III. Free the Butt
Untie and free mast block control lines
Unbolt the mast-moving bail to disconnect it from the mast; re-bolt it to itself off to the side of the mast
Unknot halyards and pull them free so the mast will come up readily
Remove mast butt mover, if applicable, and any other connections to the lower portion of the mast


IV. Do the Pole Dance
Move to the mast-up pole
Remove lower shrouds and turnbuckles from chainplate
Secure lowers to lower portion of mast above deck using duct tape that is first reversed (non sticky side facing halyards and mast) and then twisted into normal position)
Loosen upper shrouds and backstay
Attach mast pole hook to a down haul line using a well-tied bowline with a loop about 16 to 20 inches in diameter and a line length of about 12 feet; tie the loop around the lower section of the mast and secure it to the hook on the end of the mast-raising pole line
Crank winch on mast raising line until loop and pole line are at the level of the spreaders and supporting some of the weight of the mast
Remove forestay
Remove backstay
Remove upper shrouds from chainplates
Tape forestay and back stay to lower portion of mast using reversed and then un-reversed duck tape
Secure upper shrouds to mast as well


V. Up, up and aweigh and back down
Raise mast carefully up through the mast port
After mast clears mast port, move butt of mast forward
Lower mast carefully, taking care to not let it swing wildly or hit the mast-raising pole and line
Place padding under where the mast will rest over the mast port, stern of the boat, and bow, as needed
Remove wind indicator, if applicable
Secure the mast to the boat, using moderate tension on lines or straps -- enough to secure it and dampen movement, not enough to deform the mast

VI. Clean-up
Strap boat to trailer with medium pressure on straps
Coil and tape or secure halyards
Secure haul-down line, docking lines, etc.
Place red flag at top (rear) of mast and boat
Put away tools, dispose of trash, put away and secure any loose gear
Check trailer lights
Check strap tension and security periodically during towing

y Vamanos Muchachos!