Tech Notes
Index

BENETEAU

FIRST 21.0 COMMISSIONING MANUAL
(May, 1996)

1. TRAILERING:

1.1. Load your First 21.0 on the trailer with the majority of the keel weight resting on the trailer. 
(Lower the keel onto the trailer using the keel raising/lowering mechanism). 
1.2. NOTE: Damage to the keel raising mechanism may occur of the boat is trailed, stored or trucked when keel is not supported. Be sure that the mast is properly secured in the mast cradles.

2. PREPARING THE MAST:

2.1. Attach both the upper and lower shrouds to the mast, insert the upper T-balls into the slots by rotating the fitting 90 degrees and inserting them.
2.2. Lay the upper shrouds along the mast and attach the spreader tip at the point where the shroud and spreader base intersect.
2.3. Attach the spreaders to the mast and insert the spreader tips.
2.4. Assemble the furling system following the manufacturer?s directions.
2.5. Attach the assembled furling unit and head stay to the mast (marine eye with a clevis pin).
2.6. Run the back stay bridle though the wire block and attach the block to the back stay. Attach the back stay to the mast head unit (marine eye with a clevis pin).
2.7. Attach any mast lights or optional equipment to the mast.

3. PREPARING THE OPTIONAL MAST RAISING GEAR:

3.1. The mast raising gear consists of a mast raising/lowering spreader bar and rigging to enable one 
person to step or unstep the mast with ease.
3.2. Tie a bowline in the dacron line of the raising/lowering bridle making the overall length from the 
eye of the bowline to the metal ring (of the bridle) the same length as the spreader bar.
3.3. This will allow you to pass the eye of the bowline through the outboard ring on the end of the spreader bar and pull the complete bridle through the eye to attach the bridle to the spreader bar.
3.4. Attach one bridle to either side of the spreader bar.

4. STEPPING THE MAST:

4.1. Remove the mast from the transom mast support frame and secure it to both stern pulpits.
4.2. Raise the transom mast support to the high position by installing the extension tubes.
4.3. Return the mast to the aft mast support.
4.4. Lift the mast off the forward mast support and roll the mast aft on the transom mast support roller until the mast base is at the mast step, then install the mast step pin.
4.5. Attach all of the shrouds and the back stay to the boat. If this is the first time that the mast is to 
be stepped leave the turnbuckles ¾ open. Once the mast has been stepped and tuned correctly you may leave the turnbuckles pinned.
4.6. Pull out enough of the strap from the trailer to pass over the roller on the aft side of the mast support and up to the mast step.
4.7. Take the mast raising/lowering spreader bar with the bridle attached onto the fore deck and clip the trailer strap to the bottom ring on the end of the bar.
4.8. Insert both T-ball studs of the mast raising bridle into the slots on either side of the mast.
4.9. Set both genoa cars in line with the aft edge of the mast step and run the sheets through the stopper and genoa cars.
4.10. Tie the genoa sheets to the stainless rings of the mast raising bridle, leaving approximately 14 inches of sheet from the car to the ring and set the line stops.
4.11. Clip the spinnaker halyard to the upper ring on the spreader bar.
4.12. Set the rubber foot of the spreader bar approximately 4 inches from the bottom of the mast and tension the spinnaker halyard until the angle between the face of the mast and the bar is approximately 85 degrees. Be sure the halyard is firmly secured on the cleat on the mast!
4.13. Now, the spreader bar will be standing on its own. Adjust the genoa sheets if necessary to ensure that the spreader bar is centered on the mast.
4.14. Winch the mast up using the trailer winch. The mast will come up easily and the tip of the spreader bar should be just above the bow pulpit in the upright position.
4.15. If you cannot get the mast totally up without touching the bow pulpit with the spreader bar then lower the mast back to the mast support an take up on the halyard.
4.16. Attach the head stay to the stem head fitting and disassemble the mast raising gear.

5. FINAL RIGGING AND TUNING:

5.1. Be sure all of the threaded studs are clean and greased with Never Seize or a similar compound.
5.2. Center the masthead first by hand adjusting the upper shrouds, leaving the lowers and back stay loose.
5.3. You can use a long tape measure on the main halyard to help center the masthead by measuring to the same point on either side of the boat.
5.4. Tension the upper shrouds equally and then the lower shrouds keeping the mast in column.
5.5. The First 21.0 has aft swept spreaders. To achieve proper upper shroud tension, pull on the back stay adjuster until there is one foot (12 inches) of bend in the mast, then hand tighten the upper shroud turnbuckles.
5.6. Release the backstay. You should be left with 4 inches to 5 inches of pre-bend in the mast.
5.7. Next, use the lower shrouds to bring the mast into column.
5.8. Be sure the lower shrouds are tight enough to prevent pumping of the mast in waves, or falling off of the midsection of the mast when sailing to weather.
5.9. Be sure all turnbuckles are pinned and taped after tuning the mast.
5.10. Install the boom and the gooseneck.
5.11. Attach the mainsheet and vang following the attached drawings.
5.12. Run any necessary halyards through the mast step blocks and back to the cockpit.
5.13. Run the jib furling line back to the cockpit.
5.14. Bend on the sails.

6. UNSTEPPING THE MAST:

6.1. Remove the sails, running rigging and boom.
6.2. Reassemble the mast raising spreader bar onto the front of the mast into the same position it was in when the mast was stepped.
6.3. Set up the transom mast support in the extended position.
6.4. Tension the trailer winch strap until you can remove the clevis pin from the fore stay.
6.5. Lower the mast into the mast support using the trailer winch in reverse. It is unnecessary to loosen any turnbuckles before lowering the mast.
6.6. Remove the mast step pin and roll the mast forward onto the forward mast support.
6.7. Lower the transom mast support into the trailing position.

7. RAISING AND LOWERING THE KEEL:

7.1. The keel is raised/lowered by inserting the standard jib winch handle into the socket located on the top aft end of the keel trunk.
7.2. Turning the winch handle clockwise raises the keel and counterclockwise lowers the keel.
7.3. Watch the movement of the small ball to determine the position of the keel.
7.4. When the ball is at its highest point, the keel is fully extended.

8. POSITIVE FLOTTION:

8.1. The First 21.0 is equipped with 38 cubic feet of 2-pound density foam flotation. 
 
 
 
 
 

Title: First 210 Factory Commisioning Manual