Jim,
I've used the six pack method of lowering my mast for years. The GB mast  
lowering system lowers the mast toward the stern. I use the traveler bar as a  
trapeze and lower the mast toward the bow with two friends guiding the mast down 
 in case I take a tumble. I've been doing it this way for twenty years and  
haven't had any trouble yet. I usually have the wife or a third friend walk the 
 genny so it doesn't drag on the ground. Sometimes the help grumbles about 
the  brand of beer I purchase, but they always drink it.
 
Rummy
 
 
In a message dated 9/29/2008 6:55:19 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
jimtracyjohnston at centurytel.net writes:

Bill,  Thank you for the offer, however, this weekend we are taking out 
the  loon
also.  We will recruit a couple friends to help lower the mast  and pay for 
the
services with several rounds of brew at the local pub. It  depends on what two
friend show up if the purchase of a Rhodes Crossover  Mast Hoist System 
wouldn't
be cheaper. Jim J
Quoting bill davidge  <wpdavidge at gmail.com>:

> Jim
>    I will  be lowering My mast this week end . If you live in the Toledo Oh
> area  you can get a hands on demo ( free of charge ) any time Saturday Oct
>  the 4 th . It's safe and easy to do, In fact I willing to let you do  it
> after we get back from a sail If you would like.  
>
>
>  Bill Davidge Temperance   Mi
>
> On Mon, Sep 29, 2008 at 1:07 PM,  <jimtracyjohnston at centurytel.net> wrote:
>
>> Slim, Our  boat name is just "LOON". I don't remember the owner we bought
>>  the
>> boat from, however, the baot was sailed in Lake Erie. I can't  even 
remember
>> when we purchased the LOON but I am sure there was  not a mast kit with the
>> boat. Jim J
>> Quoting Steven Alm  <stevenalm at gmail.com>:
>>
>>
>> >  Jim,
>> >
>> > You mentioned the "Loon."  Did you  buy "Blue Loon" from Dan and Julie?
>>  I'm
>> >  wondering because that boat came with the GB hoist system. 
>>  >
>> > Slim
>> >
>> > On Thu, Sep 25,  2008 at 8:10 PM, <jimtracyjohnston at centurytel.net>
>>  wrote:
>> >
>> >> Mary Lou, I appreciate your  input. You answered some of the concerns I
>> >> have.  
>> >> Thank You,JimJ
>> >> Quoting Mary Lou  Troy <mtroy at atlanticbb.net>:
>> >>
>>  >>
>> >> > Jim,
>> >> > The system  works very well but there are a fair number of connections
>>  >> > that need to be made. 
>> >> >
>>  >> > The system consists of a tall crutch that fits over the stern  rail
>> >> > and a crane which attaches to a block on the  cabin top. The crane has
>> >> > a trailer winch at the  business end. I believe the current system
>> >> > also has  a bail you attach to the mast. Older systems used the aft
>> >>  > lowers to attach to the crane to raise and lower the mast. There  is
>> >> > also a set of extenders that get attached to the  forward lowers to
>> >> > lengthen them so they act as an  anti-sway device while raising and
>> >> > lowering the  mast. You could keep all of the parts on the boat. The
>> >>  > crutch is large and unwieldy but would fit in the cabin. I  wouldn't
>> >> > want to use it to lower and raise the mast  to get under a bridge
>> >> > while going out for a  daysail.  Our check list has 11 steps to raise
>> >> >  and 11 steps to lower although you probably could get it down to a
>>  >> > science if you did it often enough. Don't know how low your  bridge
>> >> > is, but the mast on the crutch is at least 5  or 6 feet above the 
stern
>> >> rail. 
>> >>  >
>> >> > Mary Lou
>> >> > 1991 R22  Fretless
>> >> > Rock Hall, MD
>> >>  >
>> >> >
>> >> > At 08:42 PM  9/25/2008, you wrote:
>> >> >> Ed K. Sorry, I didn't  finish my email. My questions are:  Does it
>> work
>>  >> >> well? Is
>> >> >> it too large to keep  on the boat most of the time? I have a possible
>> >> need  to
>> >> >> lower my mast to go under a bridge and raise  it again once I'm under
>> &
>> >> >> thru  the
>> >> >> river. A quick review of some of your  experiences with the mast
>> system
>> >> >>  would be
>> >> >> appreciated. Jim J. 
>>  >> >> Quoting jimtracyjohnston at centurytel.net:
>>  >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>  > Ed K, I have IMF (inter-mast furling), I want to be able to  raise
>> and
>> >> >> > lower my
>>  >> >> > mast by myself.  JimJ
>> >>  >> > Quoting Tootle <ekroposki at charter.net>:
>>  >> >> >
>> >> >> >
>> >>  >> >>
>> >> >> >> Jim  Johnston:
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >>  >> Clarify your question.  Do you have IMF or Standard  rig?
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >>  >> I have IMF and General Boats Mast Hoist System.  What is  your
>> >> >> question(s). 
>> >> >>  >>
>> >> >> >> Ed K
>> >>  >> >> Greenville, SC, USA
>> >> >> >>  --
>> >> >> >> View this message in  context:
>> >> >> >>
>> >>  >>
>> >>
>>  
http://www.nabble.com/Jim-Johnston-Mast-Hoist-Question-tp19679122p19679122.html
>>  >> >> >> Sent from the Rhodes 22 mailing list archive at  Nabble.com. 
>> >> >> >>
>> >>  >> >>  __________________________________________________
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>> go
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>> >>  >> >>
>> >> >> >>
>> >>  >> >
>> >> >> >
>> >> >>  > __________________________________________________
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>> >>  >>
>> >> >>
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>> >> >> 9/25/2008  7:05 AM
>> >> >
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