I need to climb the mast of our Vision-32. Never climbed masts before and I'm having a friend who has help me out (he has the harness gear). He asked me if there's a second halyard that we can connect to for safety. Because of the fractional rig, there is no second halyard to us to climb all the way to the top (the are in need of repair). Has anyone else climed Vision masts? What kind of safety measures do you take? Cheers, -james
- Status
add a 2nd halyard
there is an unused sheave at the masthead for a 2nd halyard..we installed a spare halyard there the first time we went up.. we dropped it down from the top, removed the cover plate on the unused exit hole at the bottom of the mast and fished it out with a hanger.. it works fine and now we have a spare for such things. There is no topping lift with the solid boom vang..just have to hug the mast the first time
there is an unused sheave at the masthead for a 2nd halyard..we installed a spare halyard there the first time we went up.. we dropped it down from the top, removed the cover plate on the unused exit hole at the bottom of the mast and fished it out with a hanger.. it works fine and now we have a spare for such things. There is no topping lift with the solid boom vang..just have to hug the mast the first time
You could use an ascender
You could use an ascender hooked onto one of the other halyards (jib or spinnaker), but like everyone else said, that will only take you up to the outlet at the forestay... However, with a spare carabiner, once you got the top, you could hook a spare line from yourself up to something on the masthead, if that would make you feel better... just an extra safety measure... With that said, I wouldn't necessarily worry too much about it unless the halyard you intend to use is in _really_ bad shape. I also rock climb and we regularly climb much farther than the height of the mast with only a single line... just make sure your knot is correct and dressed properly. Funny, I'll be heading up to the top this weekend as well....but I also have a second main halyard!
good luck!
You could use an ascender hooked onto one of the other halyards (jib or spinnaker), but like everyone else said, that will only take you up to the outlet at the forestay... However, with a spare carabiner, once you got the top, you could hook a spare line from yourself up to something on the masthead, if that would make you feel better... just an extra safety measure... With that said, I wouldn't necessarily worry too much about it unless the halyard you intend to use is in _really_ bad shape. I also rock climb and we regularly climb much farther than the height of the mast with only a single line... just make sure your knot is correct and dressed properly. Funny, I'll be heading up to the top this weekend as well....but I also have a second main halyard!
good luck!And don't hook up, but tie a bowline
I tied a bowline rather than just hooking up . . . and then hook up.
I tied a bowline rather than just hooking up . . . and then hook up.
- Status