New to the forum and new to sailing. 

I recently completed my RYA Levels 1 and 2, with most training done on a Laser Pico. 

Really enjoyed it so I've just bought a Pico of my own now. Great condition and all the parts seem to be there but I'm having trouble with one thing. 

From the training I attended, and from the Pico owners manual, I understand you should be able to furl the mainsail by rotating the mast (while it is still stepped). 

The problem I have is that when the mast is in place, the collar and mast gate fit together so tightly that I am unable to rotate the mast at all. 

I've checked that nothing else if fouling it, by just fitting the lower mast section and no other rigging - unfortunately the same problem. 

I applied some spray type silicone lubricant, after which I was able to shift the mast about a quarter turn - but still very stiff and only by using the downhaul cleat as a handle! (I wouldn't want to put any more sideways stress on this). I would by no means be able to do this afloat either.

I thought it should rotate more freely than this?  

Am I doing something wrong? Or is this a problem anyone else has encountered? Any advice greatly appreciated!

Many thanks in advance. 

Brett     

It's not clear from the OP whether you have the mainsail attached to the boom.  Ashore, like stated in the post above, the easiest way is just to wrap the sail around the mast. Just don't try that afloat as it's nearly impossible to re-attach the main to the boom.

In picos and toppers alike you should be able to put in and take out a reef with the mainsail attached by rotating the mast. 

Make sure the outhaul is completely slack as well as the kicker (or remove kicker) before rotating the mast. The downhaul will foul the boom as you rotate, so you can either remove the downhaul too, or drop the boom below the downhaul. I always found it easier to just remove the downhaul and reattach it after.  

If you don't have the sail attached and still can't rotate the mast then I don't really have an answer for you. 

Just as an aside, I'de be very careful to avoid getting silicone into the bottom of the boat, Non-slip on poly boats is not the best and coating it with silicone is a sure fire way to make it worse (in my windsurfing days we used to refer to the "Teflon non-slip" on certain makes of board  )

Do check the foot of the mast, I've seen a couple of masts where the foot of the mast had the aluminium worn away leaving wafer thin, razor sharp edges. These will make it difficult to rotate the mast, and are likely to wreck your handsrigging!

Also, check the foot of the mast for the condition of the plastic insert, then the mast step. Grit isn't going to help...

 

However, the next time I capsized getting onto the board proved to be something like trying to climb onto a skating rink! 

Would have been much worse if he had got it all over the cockpit though.......

Hi all 

Thanks for the quick responses. Some really great suggestions, I wouldn't have thought of these on my own. 

Also - great heads up by many of you regarding the silicone! - I was a bit trigger happy with this - will make sure it is cleaned off the deck thoroughly before going out next!

Originally posted by 423zero might be nothing, boat isn't slightly distorted by trolley ? Have you tried rotating mast when boat is in water ?

Very good point! I've only tried this on the trolley. Will test afloat when I get a chance to take her to the shore. 

Originally posted by ColPrice2002 Do check the foot of the mast

I automatically assumed the mast gate was the problem, but this is a fair suggestion. I will check that next. Thank you. 

Originally posted by Rupert Sounds like you might need to ease the joint a fraction. Try fine sanding the inside of the mast gate - you'll only need to take a fraction of a mm off. ... Also, check the mast in another Pico.

Both great suggestions. If others prove no luck then I'll try sanding the pastic collar around the mast that fits in the mast gate - these are easily replacable at only about 5GBP. 

Thanks again to all!

Brett

Originally posted by 423zero might be nothing, boat isn't slightly distorted by trolley ? Have you tried rotating mast when boat is in water ?

I was involved with some sea cadet Picos for a bit. They were stored on gunwale hung trollies, often nose down full of water.

The dagger boards became impossibly tight which I suspect was due to hull distortion.

Sounds like you dont have much to worry about, just make sure the step plate in the hull is clean and free from debris and the same on the mast.

It is worth remembering that the collar fittings are made from nylon which can swell with water absorbtion over time (but as much as 5%)

Certainly, I've sailed one which required both hands and standing over it to lift it.