Hi, The windex at the top of the mast of my Catalina 27 has failed and I need to replace it.I have a bosuns chair but don't know the technique for climbing up. Theres a winch on the lower part of the mast but I don't have a spinnaker halyard to tie to. The boat has a furling rig. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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Above all
Make use you use 2 halyards and 2 people winching. Also use a safety strap around the mast. I use a piece of 1 inch webbing that I sewed a snap shackle on each end. I clip it on my chair and loop it around the mast twice, clip it back to my chair and slide it up and down as I go. This way, if all else fails, it will keep me from plummeting to my possible death.
Make use you use 2 halyards and 2 people winching. Also use a safety strap around the mast. I use a piece of 1 inch webbing that I sewed a snap shackle on each end. I clip it on my chair and loop it around the mast twice, clip it back to my chair and slide it up and down as I go. This way, if all else fails, it will keep me from plummeting to my possible death.
I fixed my windex this year
and it was a b*tch. The mounting base which has a bolt with a 1/2 inch nut holding it on was stuck on my mast top bracket by corrosion as best I can tell. I tried to hammer it out and couldn't get it loose. I ended up loosening the set screw and replacing the top part only. Get a new one with the spike to keep birds from getting friendly and breaking the new one. As to climbing the mast, you have several options - Jumar ascenders, deck hands winching you up with a halyard, gant line using blocks, etc. Make sure you use a safety line around the mast or use a second halyard manned by a second person. You can also use a combination of techniques like a Jumar to help the winch person get you up there. Tie yourself with a tight knot to get you as high as possible.
and it was a b*tch. The mounting base which has a bolt with a 1/2 inch nut holding it on was stuck on my mast top bracket by corrosion as best I can tell. I tried to hammer it out and couldn't get it loose. I ended up loosening the set screw and replacing the top part only. Get a new one with the spike to keep birds from getting friendly and breaking the new one. As to climbing the mast, you have several options - Jumar ascenders, deck hands winching you up with a halyard, gant line using blocks, etc. Make sure you use a safety line around the mast or use a second halyard manned by a second person. You can also use a combination of techniques like a Jumar to help the winch person get you up there. Tie yourself with a tight knot to get you as high as possible.
I use a product called mast mate
and a bosun's chair. I like to be able to stand up and get some leverage when I need to drill or loose and tighten. The bosun's chair doesn't let you use your legs naturally. With this device I can actually stand with my shoulders above the top of the mast.
and a bosun's chair. I like to be able to stand up and get some leverage when I need to drill or loose and tighten. The bosun's chair doesn't let you use your legs naturally. With this device I can actually stand with my shoulders above the top of the mast.
While you are getting some small stuff untangled to
use as the haul line Tim remembered, tethering your tools is a good idea also. Nothing will distract your winch ape like dropping a pair of pliers on his head, might damage the boat too.
use as the haul line Tim remembered, tethering your tools is a good idea also. Nothing will distract your winch ape like dropping a pair of pliers on his head, might damage the boat too.
Give Brian a Toss!
Saw Brian Toss at a meeting in mid-April. Seems he & I have been using the same basic method for sometime, me for twenty-odd years. Good to know an expert of Brian's rep came to the same conclusions. Bosun chairs are DANGEROUS! Nearly fell out more than once as a lad. It is fine to SIT in one, I like 'em if I'm going to be up there for awhile. I always use a climbing harness, a locking carabiner, and set a prussik knot above the sreaders to arrest my fall if I am not focused and have a 'senior' moment happens allatime nowdays.Went into the head yesterday, forgot why after making a circle. Now what was I saying? I like to shinny whilst a friend cranks the halyard up to belay me, faster than just sitting there. I do use a tag-line with tolls in a bucket left on deck to haul up if needed. Brian uses a fishing vest with all his tools kept inside all the pocket, but he is a fairly well organized individual, remember his books....? Once up, I will slip into the chair, if needed-oft not.
Saw Brian Toss at a meeting in mid-April. Seems he & I have been using the same basic method for sometime, me for twenty-odd years. Good to know an expert of Brian's rep came to the same conclusions. Bosun chairs are DANGEROUS! Nearly fell out more than once as a lad. It is fine to SIT in one, I like 'em if I'm going to be up there for awhile. I always use a climbing harness, a locking carabiner, and set a prussik knot above the sreaders to arrest my fall if I am not focused and have a 'senior' moment happens allatime nowdays.Went into the head yesterday, forgot why after making a circle. Now what was I saying? I like to shinny whilst a friend cranks the halyard up to belay me, faster than just sitting there. I do use a tag-line with tolls in a bucket left on deck to haul up if needed. Brian uses a fishing vest with all his tools kept inside all the pocket, but he is a fairly well organized individual, remember his books....? Once up, I will slip into the chair, if needed-oft not.
Going up
Some good advice given. But speaking from experience, CYA. Use a back up, and make very sure that you are secure. VERY SURE This is from experience. I can tell you first hand, the fall is not a problem, but that sudden stop at the end of the fall, is really no fun at all. I fell from the spreaders a couple years ago, when something sharp up top cut the line. I didn't have a back up system. Major concussion, 14 staples in my scalp, and three crushed vertabrae. SO GO UP AND GIT ER DONE, BUT PLEASE PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ARE SECURE UP THERE.
Some good advice given. But speaking from experience, CYA. Use a back up, and make very sure that you are secure. VERY SURE This is from experience. I can tell you first hand, the fall is not a problem, but that sudden stop at the end of the fall, is really no fun at all. I fell from the spreaders a couple years ago, when something sharp up top cut the line. I didn't have a back up system. Major concussion, 14 staples in my scalp, and three crushed vertabrae. SO GO UP AND GIT ER DONE, BUT PLEASE PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ARE SECURE UP THERE.
CQR
Really can relate to your injury there, can happen to anyone at anytime. With a 'PRUSSIK KNOT' tied round the mast above the speaders....dunno how much more CQR one can be? Could use a second halyard from the neighbors boat, in case your mast comes down, but a bit of overkill here.
Really can relate to your injury there, can happen to anyone at anytime. With a 'PRUSSIK KNOT' tied round the mast above the speaders....dunno how much more CQR one can be? Could use a second halyard from the neighbors boat, in case your mast comes down, but a bit of overkill here.
Another vote for MastMate
I purchased my MastMate last year. The first couple times I used it, I too felt like the steps were a little to far apart. Either I am getting more flexible or I have developed a technique which allows me to climb more easily than in the beginning. I used it two times repairing the top bearing in the Hood luft before I headed south (Snowbird). At a northbound layover in Daytona Beach, I made 6 trips aloft over three days, replacing both sheaves, the windex, anchor light and repairing the wind monitor head. Not bad for a 62 year old and a 53' DWL mast. The MastMate has already saved me more in yard fees than it cost. I already have friends awaiting my return so they can borrow it (I'm a little late making my way north) . CBsailor S/V Ninkasi, 1988 h33.5 Northbound
I purchased my MastMate last year. The first couple times I used it, I too felt like the steps were a little to far apart. Either I am getting more flexible or I have developed a technique which allows me to climb more easily than in the beginning. I used it two times repairing the top bearing in the Hood luft before I headed south (Snowbird). At a northbound layover in Daytona Beach, I made 6 trips aloft over three days, replacing both sheaves, the windex, anchor light and repairing the wind monitor head. Not bad for a 62 year old and a 53' DWL mast. The MastMate has already saved me more in yard fees than it cost. I already have friends awaiting my return so they can borrow it (I'm a little late making my way north) . CBsailor S/V Ninkasi, 1988 h33.5 Northbound
short people?
I'm 5' 5" although in pretty good shape. Do users of mast mate think the steps would be too far apart for me?
I'm 5' 5" although in pretty good shape. Do users of mast mate think the steps would be too far apart for me?
..."short people"
John: It's hard to say - I think it should be fine, but I recommend doing a "test" to see how far your foot can raise to the next step completely unaided. (no grasping cuff of pants to pull it slightly higher) As I noted above, I have a pretty banged up right knee, left is fine, but same difficulty was experienced with getting the "next" foot in the next loop. There is a unit available with closer steps, and for me that would have been wise. It can get frustrating when yo have several things going on an realize you have no step ready without some excess effort for the next level. That's probably just more aggravating than anything else when you're already 30 - 35 feet up. The Mast Mate is solidly built, it works, is cost effective; it just takes slight getting used too. But then, so does sailing, scotch and redheads.
John: It's hard to say - I think it should be fine, but I recommend doing a "test" to see how far your foot can raise to the next step completely unaided. (no grasping cuff of pants to pull it slightly higher) As I noted above, I have a pretty banged up right knee, left is fine, but same difficulty was experienced with getting the "next" foot in the next loop. There is a unit available with closer steps, and for me that would have been wise. It can get frustrating when yo have several things going on an realize you have no step ready without some excess effort for the next level. That's probably just more aggravating than anything else when you're already 30 - 35 feet up. The Mast Mate is solidly built, it works, is cost effective; it just takes slight getting used too. But then, so does sailing, scotch and redheads.
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