HELPER Mastlift — a safer way to raise and lower your mast

The unavoidable autumn job

In the Nordic countries, boats are hauled ashore for winter and masts are unstepped — an annual routine for every sailor. Traditionally the mast is lifted with rope loops below the spreaders or by using the sail halyards. These methods carry risks:

On single-spreader masts the lifting point often sits below the centre of gravity, so the mast tends to tip over unless someone holds the base.
Using sail halyards loads the lines and fittings in the wrong direction and increases the risk of damage.
Equipment at the masthead — wind instruments, Windex, lights, antennas and radar — and the headsail furling foil are all at risk.

The solution

HELPER Mastlift is a lightweight anodised-aluminium adapter that slides into the mast's sail groove and locks at the desired lifting height near the masthead; the best lifting point is around 2–2.5 metres below the top. With the lifting point above the centre of gravity, the mast stays under control and upright throughout the lift — with no risk of tipping or dropping. Safety improves significantly on both single- and multi-spreader masts.

The adapter fits almost all typical aluminium masts with a sail-groove width of 4.5 – 8 mm, regardless of the sail feeder gate. Setup is fast and needs no tools or separate bolts — the ropes and snap shackles already on board are usually all you need.

Benefits

No tipping risk on single-spreader boats
No incorrect loading of sail halyards or fittings
No more lifting with slings under the spreaders, or other imaginative, high-risk lifting methods
Masthead equipment and the headsail furling foil stay protected
Fast, tool-free setup
Can be left on the mast over winter and reused in spring with the same settings

The lifts in autumn 2025 and spring 2026 have drawn only positive feedback — from skippers and crane-truck operators alike.

Technical details (general)

Fits: typical aluminium masts, approx. 8–16 m in length
Sail-groove width: 4.5 – 8 mm
Material: anodised aluminium
Maximum safe working load: 300 kg (load-tested, safety factor 2)

HELPER is a load-tested light lifting aid with a maximum safe working load of 300 kg (tested safety factor 2).

Aluminium masts of 8–16 m typically weigh 60–200 kg, so the permitted load clearly exceeds the weight of the mast.

Mast-handling operations are always the responsibility of the boat owner/skipper.

Photos and videos

Traditional tipping mast lift from under the spreaders, four helpers — The traditional tipping method, from under the spreaders (10/3.5 m). Four helpers.

Mast lift with a fixed crane and the HELPER Mastlift adapter — With a fixed crane and the HELPER lifting adapter: 2 spreaders (12 m mast) and 2 people — mast up with no risk and no trouble.

HELPER Mastlift adapter in the mast sail groove — HELPER Mastlift needs no gate

Raising a mast with the HELPER Mastlift adapter — Raising a mast in progress

Adapter at the masthead — Windex and wind instrument stay protected — Masthead equipment — Windex and wind instrument — stays protected

The product is in development and testing. Register your interest and we'll let you know when HELPER Mastlift is available.

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Register your interest and we'll let you know when HELPER Mastlift is available.

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