Can't get roller furler back on

[Lady Ann]

I took down a Hyde stream stay but can't seem to get it back up. This one has the aluminum rod all the way up. I tried loosening the back stay to see if the mast would give a bit more to pull down the furler to insert the pin at the deck but still need a bit more. Is the triasic stay between the mizzen holding it tight still? Any advice on how to get this furler re-attached? Seems so close, maybe quarter of an inch but I tried a couple hours with no luck. Maybe use a halyard to pull the top of the mast forward? Pretty much a newbie on a sailboat so maybe I am missing something easy.
Any help is appreciated,
Jason

[Dale Tanski]

Jason,

The issue is that you can not pull hard enough to get the sag out of the head stay to get the pin in.  I would recommend the following...

1) Back off the back stay as far as the turnbuckles will allow.
2) Make sure the mainsheet is eased.
3) Yes the triasic stay is in play. Ease the two mizzen backstays a bit and also the mizzen sheet. The main mast can not come down but the mizzen mast can fall forward,so only ease the mizzen backstays carefully.

If you do that you should be able to get the head stay pin in. If not then back off your main mast lower aft shrouds.  In every case count and record the turns of each of the turn buckles so that you can get the rig back in tune.

Hope this helps.

Dale Tanski
Maruska
Hull #40
Cutter Ketch

[Lady Ann]

Thanks Dale. I got it back on the by loosening the back stays then using a Prusik knot on the Hyde stay and winching that down with my windlass. Harder than I thought it was going to be but so happy to have it reattached. Just waiting now fit for the sail to get back from the repair shop. 
Much appreciated,
Jason