When I singlehand,
I use the jib halyard to help raise the mast. I tie one end to the end
of the bowsprit. Then I stand on the cabin and lift the mast until the
angle is great enough to use the halyard to assist raising the mast. At
this point I move forward and complete raising the mast with the aid of
the halyard. Since I don't use the standard hinge arrangement I don't have
a way to lock the mast in the upright position, I tie the halyard off on
a cleat while I get down and attach the forestay. The halyard holds the
mast in place while I do this. The halyard is now right where I want it
to attach to the jib and raise it. The reverse of this allows me to lower
the mast without having to hold its whole weight as well.
