Mast Stepped, Boom Installed | We’re So Close to Launch Ep.68 #boatrefit
After nearly two years without a mast, this is the moment everything finally starts to come back together—we step the mast AND reinstall the boom, and for the first time in quite awhile… it actually looks like a sailboat again.
In this episode of our sailboat refit, we complete one of the biggest milestones of the entire project. We fully rebuilt our mast from bare aluminum—removing every piece of hardware, sanding off all the paint, rewiring everything, servicing blocks, upgrading clutches, and fabricating custom components including spreader ends, light mounts, and a welded masthead plate for our electronics.
But getting here wasn’t easy.
Our biggest setback came from sourcing new turnbuckles for the standing rigging. After importing them and waiting weeks for delivery, we discovered they were completely wrong—threads didn’t match, pins didn’t fit, and we had no choice but to cancel our crane day. After sending detailed measurements and specifications back to the manufacturer, we waited another two months for replacements.
This time, everything fit.
Ten weeks after cancelling our original appointment, the crane returned and we successfully stepped the mast without incident. Then, just two days later—with the help of the yard—we were able to get the boom back on as well, bringing the rig back together faster than we expected.
Now, with both the mast and boom installed, we’re rapidly working through the final tasks needed to get this boat back in the water. The momentum is real, and after a long refit journey, we’re finally closing in on launch.
If you’re into sailboat refits, rigging, mast stepping, DIY boat restoration, and cruising sailboats, this episode captures both the technical work and the emotional milestone of putting the rig back together.
We’re not done yet—but we’re closer than ever.
⛵ One step closer to sailing.
00:00 Feeling nervous
00:41 Channel intro
00:57 New turnbuckles
04:12 Diamonds
05:22 Step the mast
10:32 Reinstall the boom
11:26 Wrap up/Like and Subscribe
12:14 End Card
#SailboatRefit #MastStepping #BoatRigging #DIYBoat #SailingLife #LiveaboardLife #BoatRestoration #CatamaranRefit
Sailing Roam
👋 Hi, we’re Geri 👩🏻⚕️(a retired nurse) and Shawn 🤓 (a not retired technologist). We’ve gone on the greatest adventure of our lives instead of living the comfortable and predictable suburban world we left behind. Living aboard Roam, our cruising catamaran, we explore and immerse ourselves in new cultures, do boat repairs in exotic places, and get up to all kinds of shenanigans. Roam isn’t just the name of our boat, it’s kind of a philosophy. We’re not taking the shortest routes or using a formula to sail around the world. We’re not in a hurry either. We’re meeting the people, seeing the places and getting distracted by things we find interesting along the way. We’re unconventional and we’re living the best life we can imagine! Join us as we turn our 11-year old catamaran into our perfect adventure platform and see what’s over the next horizon. We can’t wait to meet you wherever you are! Clamptite Tools link: https://clamptitetools.com/?sld=syroam 10% discount: gerischaffer10
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