Climbing the Mast w/ assending gear, Any advice?

[Royal Flush]

I'll be climbing the mast this weekend using acsenders w/ daisy chains as steps. I'll have a safety rope winched tight as I go and will have the 1" webbing double wrapped to the mast and attached to my climbing chair as a double backup. I'll be sure to stand on the sturrups after I arrive at the top to keep my legs fresh and not cut off the blood flow.

My main halyard is sticking at the last 12" and I'm going up to inspect it and to check the rope seating on the pulley up there and lube up the mast track along the top.

 

[William12213]

The safety line is a must. Set your seat up so that you can sit in it and rest your legs because they are going to be very tired by the time your reach the top. I spent 6 hours hanging from my mast a couple weeks ago doing some work. I built a rig kind of like the top climber and have used it to climb the mast a few times. It is much easier than hauling someone up the mast.

 

[Hermit Scott]

what do you lube up the mast track with? I have the same thing to do.

 

[sailingdog]

Before you get too far up, make sure that the ascenders will release from the line you're using them on properly or you might be stuck up the mast.

 

[Ross]

I use a four part tackle for assending and a halyard for a safety line.

 

[Royal Flush]

omg...that's a good point!

 

[Royal Flush]

What is a four part tackle?

I use a four part tackle for assending and a halyard for a safety line.

Is that a 4 part purchase? I'm confused there.

 

[Mac Daddy]

Hermit, McLube is typically what people use. It's a dry lube in a spray can.

 

[Alan]

I climb my mast at least a couple of times a year using ascenders and a climbing harness. NEVER NEVER use the ascenders on your halyards. I use a dedicated climbing line hoisted aloft with the halyard.

As for being 'stuck' up there, ain't gonna happen. You can always be lowered to the deck by easing the halyard. In fact that's my preferred method of decent.

 

[Ross]

Is that a 4 part purchase? I'm confused there.

Probably the same.

 

[sailingdog]

I climb my mast at least a couple of times a year using ascenders and a climbing harness. NEVER NEVER use the ascenders on your halyards. I use a dedicated climbing line hoisted aloft with the halyard.

A very good point...ascenders can do a number on the line...

As for being 'stuck' up there, ain't gonna happen. You can always be lowered to the deck by easing the halyard. In fact that's my preferred method of decent.

You're assuming he has help down on the deck, which may not be the case.

 

[Cpt. Jon]

I'd offer to come and help if you needed it, but I think I am booked solid this weekend. I haven't been to the top of my mast yet and I need to. I am a little chicken I think so I keep putting it off and maybe seeing someone else do it would make me feel better about it... unless...

 

[markmcb]

I'm at Crown Point across the river from you. I too need work done on my mast, but I'm very afraid of heights (I know, what am I doing with a sailboat). If you ever hear of anyone who does this kind of work, please let me know.
Best of luck and be safe.

 

[MrBee]

Alone ?

I use a four part tackle for assending and a halyard for a safety line.

Are you pulling yourself up ?

 

[Ross]

Are you pulling yourself up ?

Yes. Nancy tails the hauling part on a winch. My assenders are tethered to my safety harness. When I pull 40 pounds on the hauling part I also reduce my weight on the harness so I can haul myself aloft but I pull a hundred and twenty feet of line to go thirty feet.

 

[druid]

I once made my own "ascender" for the Cal 25. Made every attempt for a safe ascent - and forgot about the descent! Pretty scary at the top of the mast, trying to figure out how to "reverse" the ascender.

Also - be aware that on a smaller boat (under 28ft), there may not be enough ballast in the keel to keep the boat upright when you're at the top of the mast - check it out!

druid

 

[Ross]

I once made my own "ascender" for the Cal 25. Made every attempt for a safe ascent - and forgot about the descent! Pretty scary at the top of the mast, trying to figure out how to "reverse" the ascender.

Also - be aware that on a smaller boat (under 28ft), there may not be enough ballast in the keel to keep the boat upright when you're at the top of the mast - check it out!

druid

When I was a kid we would climb sapling trees just as far up as we could and then sway them until they bent and lowered us to the ground. A wonderful ride. My sister was jealous because she wore dresses and couldn't do that without damaging her dress.