I've got about 50 feet to the water from the closest point the trailer can go. I tryed stepping the mast right off the trailer and today next to the water. With my skinny tires they really plow thru the sand with the extra weight of the mast over them. It worked out better stepping the mast closer to the entry. I get a little nervous taking the mast down once I detach the aft stays and its only hanging from the fore stays. Today I had a couple of ladies push the nose down for me while I walked the mast down to a waiting chair. I've seen the mast raising rig for sale but don't think I want to step the mast still on the trailer or use my main sheet blocks. Has anyone come up with a system or devise to make that easier?