How to Store Your Mast: Step-by-Step with FKG
With hurricane season officially underway in the Caribbean, now’s the time to take important steps to safeguard your vessel — starting with unstepping and properly storing your mast. At FKG, we’ve seen firsthand how storms can damage rigs that haven’t been stored correctly.
To help you protect your equipment and avoid costly repairs, our Rigging expert François shares a clear, step-by-step guide to get it right.
1. Plan Ahead
Don’t wait until the forecast turns — rigging schedules fill up quickly during hurricane season. Start early by contacting your local rigger and documenting every component. Label and photograph your rigging, halyards, spreaders, electrical connections, and fittings to make reassembly easier.
2. Remove Sails and Boom
Take off all sails and ensure they’re clean and dry before storing. Detach the boom from the gooseneck, inspect the fittings for any wear or damage, and secure all loose hardware. This is also a good time to check the boom vang, bracket, and washers.
3. Disconnect Wiring
Power down all masthead electronics. Carefully disconnect and label wiring at the mast base — including radar, VHF, and lights — and attach messenger lines to aid reinstallation. A marine electrician can be helpful here if needed.
4. Unstep the Mast
Leave this part to the professionals. Your local riggers will unstep the mast and place it on cradles or trestles. Once down, you’ll have full access to prepare it for long-term storage. Be sure the mast is well-protected on whatever storage means is chosen!
5. Store It Safely
- Coil and label all standing and running rigging.
- Remove fragile components like Windex, radar reflectors, and anemometers.
- Label and store halyards and spreaders separately.
- Keep halyards out of direct sunlight to prolong their lifespan.
- Disconnect the furler and forestay if needed and store separately.
6. Inspect and Maintain
With the mast down, it’s a great opportunity to:
- Check rigging terminals, mast tracks, sheaves, and electrical wiring.
- Lubricate turnbuckles and clean all contact surfaces.
- Apply Tefgel to any dissimilar metal contacts to prevent corrosion.
- Service furlers and inspect fasteners for wear or cracks.
Final Tip from François Nel, FKG Rigger:“Take your time and document everything. Every mast has its quirks, so plan carefully and don’t be afraid to ask for help — storing you mast correctly is the best insurance you can have.”
Need help with your mast storage this season? Get in touch with our expert team — we’re here to make the process smooth, safe, and secure: