B323 - Climbing the Mast

[rschultz]

Must climb the mast to replace dead anchor light. Furling main...so only line to use (other than dropping jib and using that halyard) is the topping lift. My thoughts are to use something like the ATN Mast Climber with the topping lift, however this leaves me with no safety line.

How have others with similar setup (furling main) climbed their mast and rigged a safety line? Masthead does not look like it would accept another externally run line. If so, then one option would be to go up and install a second line to use for safety (yes...that one trip up to run line would be without any backup safety).

Yes, paying someone else to do this is an option...but only a last resort. Also, you never know when you may find yourself 'out there' in an emergency...need to climb the mast...and have no semi-safe way to do it. I'd rather be prepared.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[woodster]

install mast steps and use the halyard for a safety line yes it is expensive but its a lot cheaper than a funeral or stay in the hospital and rehabilitation if you're lucky

 

[rschultz]

Follow up...

Based on a masthead 'parts list' illustration...which I assume is the one I have (yet to be confirmed)...there are several holes on either side. It looks like possibly a block could be installed externally here. Extrernal safety line could then be routed.

 

[DougM]

One choice would be to use the topping lift as a messenger to haul up a heavier line, then us the mast climber on it. You would still want to drop the jib and use its halyard as a safety line. As long as you have to go up anyway, consider stringing a gennaker halyard to use as a spare.

Some initial cost involved, but cheaper in the long run compared to hiring someone. No doubt there will be other occasions to climb. There will be bulb changes, VHF antenna changes, winded adjustments, etc.

By the way, if your steaming ligh happens to be a Perko fixture that was originally riveted to the mast, the bulb change will require you to drill out the rivets and remove the fixture because the bulb is removed from the back. The cover is secured by 2 additional screws.

I happen to have a top climber and a good bosun's chair. It does make climbing fairly easy, once you get the knack of it.

 

[rschultz]

One choice would be to use the topping lift as a messenger to haul up a heavier line, then us the mast climber on it. You would still want to drop the jib and use its halyard as a safety line. As long as you have to go up anyway, consider stringing a gennaker halyard to use as a spare.

Thanks Doug. Agreed...the topping lift is spec'd at 6mm (per manual)...so would have to run heavier line. ATN Mastclimber will work between 3/8-5/8 line. Jib Halyard spec'd at 10mm (3/8) so no problem there.

Leaning towards replacing the topping lift with 10mm line, then using the jib halyard and topping lift for main lift line/safety line. Was hoping to avoid dropping jib, but once up there will look into options for running another line. Agree in regards to running gennaker halyard.

I had seen your earlier post on the steaming light...and that is on my list of items to check when aloft. That is incredible...no telling what brand they installed on my boat. I'd like to install a combination steaming light/deck light fixture...so may be replacing it completely.

 

[thinwater]

Even simpler.

The ATN is based upon the principle that you can climb a round object by having something that will clamp on to it and not slide down. A mechanical devise will do this, but so will a prusic hitch:

http://www.animatedknots.com/prusik/index.php

Just tie 2 loops (you need 2 so that you can pass spreaders) of 3/8" line about 4' long (to acomodate the mast diameter with about 8" left over) and slide them up the mast as you go. I've seen folks use these alone to climb a mast, though it is a bit more work than the ATN system (no so much, actually).

I commonly use these either to tie-off at a mid-point, or to climb to the masthead on fractional rigs; sometimes there is only 1 halyard that goes all the way (no topping lift), and it is shot.

For working at spreaders hieght, an extension ladder is much easier. Just pad the top rung, secure it with a loop around the mast, and pad/secure the base. Not hard and MUCH easier to work from if doing something like replacing an entire fixture. Easier to make trips up and down.

 

[rschultz]

Thanks all for the replies...appreciate the help.

 

[bobscaggs]

Thanks all for the replies...appreciate the help.

Following up to see how the job went.

I am headed up my mast this weekend for the first time. I bought the ATN ascender and bosuns chair for this task. I am sure I could have done it with a couple prussic knots and some line, but I am a fan of technology.

I am planning to use my spinnaker halyard to ascend and my topping lift as my back up.

 

[rschultz]

Following up to see how the job went.

I am headed up my mast this weekend for the first time. I bought the ATN ascender and bosuns chair for this task. I am sure I could have done it with a couple prussic knots and some line, but I am a fan of technology.

I am planning to use my spinnaker halyard to ascend and my topping lift as my back up.

The ATN worked well. As others have stated, it took a few minutes to get the hang of it. I have a furling main...so I ended up running a new and larger (3/8") topping lift line...which I then used as my ascending line.

I tied it off near the mast base...as tight as I could. It is important to get this line as tight as possible. Slack in the line makes moving up and down somewhat difficult. Also, I do not recommend shackles (with screwed pin) for any critical connection...as it won't be a good day if they work loose while your up there. Trying to ascend with the line tied off away from the mast seems like it would take more work. I used the mast as a brace with my feet...one foot on either side...and that really worked well...and helped keep the lateral movement to a minimum. The second trip up the mast went much faster than the first...so there definitely is a learning curve. I was able to get above the mast...and it was comfortable. This is impressive...as I'm terrified of heights.

For safety line, I used the jib halyard...which was then tied to a climbing harness I had on. While I was up there, I installed an additional line coming out the forward masthead sheave...which I can use in the future as a safety line...and not have to drop the jib every time I want to go up. I also bought another ascender (Petzl...not from ATN) and a lanyard to use for that line...in the event I have to go up without help...i.e. someone to keep tension on my safety line. Both extra climbing harness and ascender were purchased off ebay (both professional quality, new of course). One more note on safety...make sure you tie off everything when you go up. Anything dropped is heading straight down towards your boat...or worse, anyone standing below.

Any questions, let me know and I'll try and answer. I think this gear is well worth the money. Especially if you already have a bosun chair...and then you just need to purchase the 'bosun chair conversion kit' which is much cheaper.

Good luck...

 

[Ron20324]

I forget what year Dougs 323 is but my 2006 has a Perko steaming light that the lens come off with 2 screws from the front. I hope while you were at the top you took pics for future refernece.. I hoisted a guy to put an LED in my anchor light, but he could not get high enough to take pics. I wondered if there were two sheeves on the front of the masthead that could handle another line or two.

I was going to suggest once you were hoisted up, take the halyard off the jib as a safety line, then put it back when done.

 

[rschultz]

I forget what year Dougs 323 is but my 2006 has a Perko steaming light that the lens come off with 2 screws from the front. I hope while you were at the top you took pics for future refernece.. I hoisted a guy to put an LED in my anchor light, but he could not get high enough to take pics. I wondered if there were two sheeves on the front of the masthead that could handle another line or two.

I was going to suggest once you were hoisted up, take the halyard off the jib as a safety line, then put it back when done.

Ron - I did check the steaming light...and it also has two screws...so looks easy to replace. Good advice to check this.

Regarding the masthead anchor light fixture...I replaced the entire light with a new LED fixture. I considered a bulb replacement only (with LED)...but advice I received is that when replacing only the bulb with an LED...that moisture may become a problem and burn the bulb out prematurely. Just what I was told...I'm sure there are 1,001 opinions on that matter.

I did take many pictures. When my boat was rigged at purchase...for whatever reason, no sheaves were installed in the forward part of the masthead. Picture is attached, and this is a 2004 B323. As I mentioned before...I have since installed a couple sheaves...and also run another 3/8" line to use as a safety line for future trips up.