Bosun's Chair & small boats question

[sinnettc]

How do you determine whether it's safe to go up your mast on a Bosun's chair on your boat? We just purchased a 2000 Catalina Capri 22 with the Fin Keel & Tall Rig. Having launched it without thinking to check I discovered over the weekend that the anchor light at the top of the mast is out. Dropping the mast now that the boat is in the water isn't high on my list of things I want to do so I'm thinking a trip up the mast might be in order. Is 200 lbs of me at the top of a 30 foot mast going to be too much for the boat's stability?

Thanks,

Chris
Catalina Capri #893 "Verboten"

 

[RichH]

Drop the mast ....

back it into a slip, tie onto a wall, etc.


Putting 200 pounds 30 ft. above the metacenter of a 2200 lb. boat is going to be similar to going up a ladder ... a ladder not touching anything !!!!!!! The righting forces of your boat will not be sufficient to keep you 'up there' IF the mast becomes more than 'just a few feet' off of 'dead straight' center. Once you go beyond a few feet 'off-center' there will be NO recovery (but may allow you to scrub the bottom easily). A Capri 22 can be pulled over more than a 45 degree angle to clean the bottom by simply pulling the main halyard from an adjacent slip (about 20 ft off to the side) with 'hand pressure'.

Drop the mast, its safer on that size boat. Consider to use a gin pole, etc. to drop it.

 

[CalebD]

Chris, some questions and ideas

I am not sure what is 'Verblten' (German for 'forbidden') on your boat but you could probably haul someone lighter up the mast more easily than having someone else haul you up.
Another idea is to use a dockside crane or mast pulling crane to haul you up to the top on a calm day (we've done this and it works well). Make sure you have a comfortable Bosun's seat if you are going to be up there for a while.
The easiest alternative is to just carry a good flashlight when sailing at night and leave your main sail up so you can light it up with the flashlight (torch - in England) when you wee any approaching boats. You can replace the mast light (anchor light) next season if you take precautions now.
No questions really.
Enjoy now,
Caleb D

 

[sinnettc]

That's what I was afraid of

That's about what I figured but wanted confirmation as I thought I'd seen someone up the pole on a Wavelength 24.

I don't think my wife will go for running one of the grandkids up the mast so I guess I'll have to drop it or run a lantern up the backstay until we pull it out of the water at the end of September.

Thanks,

Chris

 

[sinnettc]

Flashlight . . .

Verboten is the name she came with - The prior owner's mother was German and used to tell him "fun is verboten". We're still trying to decide if we're keeping the name or want to change it to something else with all that entails.

My concern isn't so much for sailing/motoring as those lights all work. It's the 360 degree anchor light all the way at the top that's out. We've been talking about anchoring overnight somewhere on the lake as opposed to tied up at the slip. I suppose I can run a LED lantern up the backstay as a temporary fix.

Thanks for the flashlight idea though. It's a good one for under way and a good reason to get a decent light on the boat.

Chris

 

[Dave]

Don't Move

A friend of mine got a scare while he was up the mast of his Catalina 22 when an assistant stepped off the boat, and he went for a ride,he thought he was going over.

 

[mike]

up mast on a 22

You may think about using a lighter person as others have said, but also use dock lines on both side of the boat to dock fingers to limit the amount of heal possible. Good luck, Mike

 

[Kris]

Try asking...

Try capri22.net. I say back it in the slip and lower mast with the help of some friends is a good idea from reply #1. It is easier to work on the ground.

 

[CalebD]

I rather like the name 'Verboten'

But that is just me.

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mistress 39]

Easy Solution

Go to Wally World and get one of those el cheapo anchor lights that clamp onto a rail. Wire it up and away you go.
You don't have to have the anchor light on top of the mast, unless they changed the rules. Even if they did, all you want is to be seen.


Tony B

 

[jviss]

Bring the top of the mast down

On a boat that size I would consider making a halyard fast to a dock and hauling it down. The boat should easily heel enough to get the mast head down to working height, and it will stand right back up when you're done.

 

[RichH]

Here's a solution ....

http://www.davisnet.com/Marine/products/marine_product.asp?pnum=03300

Just haul the light up into the foretriangle when anchored ... automatic photosensitive on/off switch.
It doesnt have to be at the mast head, just located in the foretriangle.


Been using one for years as a 'backup' for burned out anchor lights. In crowded waters frequented by 'crazies' with PWC, etc. such a light lower down is probably 'safer' and easier for the speeding 'crazies' to see.

 

[sinnettc]

Thanks all

Appreciate all the advice. Short term I think I'll do the "run a light up the foretriangle" approach. Longer term, if I can get enough folks down to the lake to help, I may turn the boat around and drop the mast. Bosun's chair is a last resort ;^)

 

[LooseDiamond]

I'm in the same "boat"!

My Catalina 22 keeps shorting out the anchor light. Can't figure it out. Wired it twice. Worked for a while. When I ohm out either wire to the mast I have continuity.

Anyway, I bought one of those mini led lanterns at Wal Mart for like $6.00. Runs on 4 AA batteries. I attach it to the jib halyard and run it up so I can still reach it with an extendable pole. Got the rechargable batteries w/ cigarette lighter attachment. I just retrieve and recharge. Ready for night # 2!

 

[Ross]

This is what I use for an anchor light.

entirely legal.

http://www.lanternnet.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WKL&Product_Code=WTK1&Category_Code=WKL

 

[Timo42]

Seriously,

It takes less time to drop the mast on a 22' boat than to screw in a light bulb...
I would recommend more people though. My wife and I put the mast up and take it down every time we go sailing, pull the bolt at the base and slide the mast forward and work on it in the cockpit.

 

[Breaking wind]

my only advice to add is

when you do get around to replacing the light, think about useing l.e.d's they last so much longer and draw much less juice, all my lights are led now even interior lights and I haven't run the battery dead one time since I switched.

 

[sinnettc]

When in doubt . . .

check the connector . . . wiggled it when we were down there the other night and it came on. I suspect a loose connection - Something to work on this winter I guess.