[Neil Millington]

<p>Michael -When stepping the mast on a Hartley, the mast foot should slide aft through the track to seat hard up against the track bolt. The forestay prevents the mast foot from moving for’ard until the shrouds are secured in the chain-plates and jib halyard is tensioned. The mast pin can safely be removed as soon as the forestay is secure (unless you want to drop the mast afloat, in which case leave it in). This isn’t entirely clear in the rigging guides that I have come across; where it can sometimes appear that the mast foot should sit across the track bolt – Not good! NM.</p>
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