Derigging
5 SAILS And boom
How you derig will depend on the setup. If it is like the Swallow, it’s much like derigging an over-sized dinghy. Remember, whatever you undo will need rerigging at the other end, so if you can get away without unthreading lines, it’ll save precious minutes later. Start with the mainsail and boom. If you need to, take the sail off then disconnect the kicking strap and give some slack on the reefing lines and mainsheet. Undo the gooseneck and remove the boom, placing it on the side deck or in the cabin. Use the lazyjacks, if you have them, to take the weight of the boom.
6 lower the mast
Most trailer sailors have a mechanism to allow you to raise and lower the mast without the assistance of a crane, and this normally comprises either an A-frame or other pole to give some leverage. Take the spinnaker halyard over the pole or A-frame, then forward to the bow and attach it to the chainplate. If your boat will let you, keeping the shrouds attached gives another point to steady the mast, but you may need to slacken them off first. With tension on the halyard, disconnect the forestay. Leave the jib on the furler, as this makes things quicker at the other end.
7 Controlled descent
With one person handling the spinnaker halyard and the other at the mast, keep clear of the centerline to avoid the mast and forestay. The mast may need a push, but should then come easily — you might need a turn on the winch to control the halyard as it comes down.
8 lashing the mast
Lower the mast into the mast support, take out the lifting pole and remove the spreaders, if this is done easily, before moving the foot of the mast to the bow. Disengage the mast hinge and roll the mast forwards. Attach the mast hinge to the bow, or lash the mast if preferred.
9 Secure the mast
The mast will need supporting at the bow and stern and will also need to be lashed midships to stop it bouncing while the boat is in transit. A sail tie around the rigging should keep the shrouds and halyards in check and help to prevent them flapping around or trailing on the road.
10 Antenna Away
Even with the mast down, the companionway hatch and washboards can be opened, allowing access to the boat on the trailer. Some owners use their boat as a caravan. The windex and VHF antenna can be vulnerable, so it’s a good idea to remove them.
On the trailer, pull out the supports for the lighting board and attach, or attach your lighting board to the boat’s transom.
Having the board and wiring attached to the trailer is another way of speeding up the process, but you’ll need to be careful to keep the board dry when launching.
Finally, connect the electrics and check that all the lights work before driving off. Don’t forget to connect the breakaway cable, which will automatically pull on the trailer’s brakes if the coupling were to fail.