I had a couple of friends try to hoist me(150lbs.)up the mast of our 84 H31. We used the main halyard and a boison's chair. We tried using the small cabin-top wench, then the larger jib wench, but my friends said it was very hard to grind the wench. Is there an easier way? Are we doing something wrong? I would like to use this set-up, and not have to go out and buy some other mast climbing system. Thanks, Bob
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Tough pull!
Bob: As you well know pulling up the main is sometimes no easy task. Every time you go around a sheave you add some more friction. With the H'31 you have one or two sheave at the top of the mast, the exit sheave, the deck organizer and then a little more friction going through the sheet stopper. Lots of friction. Now when they haul my butt up the stick (200 lbs), they earn their beer. We just did this on a friends Cat.34' and it was a tough job too. If you try to climb a mast with the winch on the mast, you will find it is MUCH easier to do (less friction) even with small winches. If you look at the professional riggers they have their own tackle. They have a block setup with 4-6:1 purchase. They do not have any trouble hoisting themselves up. I do not think that there is any easy way to do this without some blocks or other types of climbing devices.
Bob: As you well know pulling up the main is sometimes no easy task. Every time you go around a sheave you add some more friction. With the H'31 you have one or two sheave at the top of the mast, the exit sheave, the deck organizer and then a little more friction going through the sheet stopper. Lots of friction. Now when they haul my butt up the stick (200 lbs), they earn their beer. We just did this on a friends Cat.34' and it was a tough job too. If you try to climb a mast with the winch on the mast, you will find it is MUCH easier to do (less friction) even with small winches. If you look at the professional riggers they have their own tackle. They have a block setup with 4-6:1 purchase. They do not have any trouble hoisting themselves up. I do not think that there is any easy way to do this without some blocks or other types of climbing devices.
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Richard Silver
My way
When I am in the harness and going to the top of the mast, I use two lengths of 1 inch webbing. Tie a clove hitch around the mast and a knot at the right length to step into and still feel secure in the harness. I step up and my wife lifts the halyard which is lead to the foresail winch. When she has it up, I step up again. The second length of webbing is to duplicate the step up proceedure above the mast spreader. This gets me to the top with no problem.
When I am in the harness and going to the top of the mast, I use two lengths of 1 inch webbing. Tie a clove hitch around the mast and a knot at the right length to step into and still feel secure in the harness. I step up and my wife lifts the halyard which is lead to the foresail winch. When she has it up, I step up again. The second length of webbing is to duplicate the step up proceedure above the mast spreader. This gets me to the top with no problem.
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Doug
Beyond spending
more money on another set up, I have done what Steve mentioned. I "help" by pulling myself up the mast as I am being winched up. It is tough to crank someone up - I was surprised when I went up the first time (145#) and my buddy was struggling. You should try winching someone up yourself for kicks. Just remember to always be safe. -Doug svBrendaGail
more money on another set up, I have done what Steve mentioned. I "help" by pulling myself up the mast as I am being winched up. It is tough to crank someone up - I was surprised when I went up the first time (145#) and my buddy was struggling. You should try winching someone up yourself for kicks. Just remember to always be safe. -Doug svBrendaGail
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Frank Walker
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Bill
climbing gear
I tried many ways to get up the mast. Found just the trick for me. Called a Wilderness Outfitters shop, got climber's ascenders, and instruction on how to use. It's quick, safe, and requires no athletic talent or strength. I recommend it.
I tried many ways to get up the mast. Found just the trick for me. Called a Wilderness Outfitters shop, got climber's ascenders, and instruction on how to use. It's quick, safe, and requires no athletic talent or strength. I recommend it.
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Mickey Goodman
Ascenders
I am about 210 pounds (light) and my wife is a soaking wet 115 pounds. I had to winch her up the mast once on a smaller boat and I must say it was no easy task. She has refused to go up again under any conditions. There is no way she could get me up the mast based upon my weight. My daughter works at a Outfitter's shop called REI and discussing the possible need to go up the mast with her she suggested the ascenders that Bill described along with a ladder and harness device that would allow me to go up the mast without any additional assistance. I purchased the necessary equipment from REI which costs about $250. I have seen similiar products at the Newport Boat Show last year but I was more impressed the the Ascenders from REI because you can attach the ascenders to an existing line from whatever point you want where the ascenders sold at the boat show had to be fed from the end of the line. Example if you where going to go up the main halyard at the point it is attached to the sail because the other end of the line either is internal in the mast, or runs through blocks, rope clutches, etc. You couldn't use the boat show ascenders on that type of hook up but would be able to use the climbers ascenders. My boat has internal halyard in the mast, turning blocks, rope clutches and would not be practical to use the boat show ascenders. I am guessing that if it came down to an emergency and you were out on the water and needed to go up the mast the quickest way would be the ascenders. I know REI has a web site check them out.
I am about 210 pounds (light) and my wife is a soaking wet 115 pounds. I had to winch her up the mast once on a smaller boat and I must say it was no easy task. She has refused to go up again under any conditions. There is no way she could get me up the mast based upon my weight. My daughter works at a Outfitter's shop called REI and discussing the possible need to go up the mast with her she suggested the ascenders that Bill described along with a ladder and harness device that would allow me to go up the mast without any additional assistance. I purchased the necessary equipment from REI which costs about $250. I have seen similiar products at the Newport Boat Show last year but I was more impressed the the Ascenders from REI because you can attach the ascenders to an existing line from whatever point you want where the ascenders sold at the boat show had to be fed from the end of the line. Example if you where going to go up the main halyard at the point it is attached to the sail because the other end of the line either is internal in the mast, or runs through blocks, rope clutches, etc. You couldn't use the boat show ascenders on that type of hook up but would be able to use the climbers ascenders. My boat has internal halyard in the mast, turning blocks, rope clutches and would not be practical to use the boat show ascenders. I am guessing that if it came down to an emergency and you were out on the water and needed to go up the mast the quickest way would be the ascenders. I know REI has a web site check them out.
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Colin Nielsen
Double up on haulyard
I was struggling raising the mainsail and, after asking aroubnd, had someone suggest the following: Run a new haulyard starting at the top of the mast, down through a swivel block attached to the head of the mainsail, then ack up the mast and down (internal) through the mast and back to the cockpit. Initially I installed this to make it easier to raise the main, however an added benefit is that it makes it easier to pull a person up the mast. It simple physics and it works - the only disadvantage is the additional line in the cockpit/cabin when the main is raised, however the benefits ourweight the advantages.
I was struggling raising the mainsail and, after asking aroubnd, had someone suggest the following: Run a new haulyard starting at the top of the mast, down through a swivel block attached to the head of the mainsail, then ack up the mast and down (internal) through the mast and back to the cockpit. Initially I installed this to make it easier to raise the main, however an added benefit is that it makes it easier to pull a person up the mast. It simple physics and it works - the only disadvantage is the additional line in the cockpit/cabin when the main is raised, however the benefits ourweight the advantages.
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Dave Teal
Nylon rollers at masthead
My `87 H31 has nylon rollers at the masthead. Each halyard is threaded over at least 2, maybe 3 (I forgot)of these rollers. They have flattened out over time and don't turn on their axles, which causes major friction. I plan to replace them with stainless. I replaced the rollers on the boom end and adjusting the clew outhaul is much easier.
My `87 H31 has nylon rollers at the masthead. Each halyard is threaded over at least 2, maybe 3 (I forgot)of these rollers. They have flattened out over time and don't turn on their axles, which causes major friction. I plan to replace them with stainless. I replaced the rollers on the boom end and adjusting the clew outhaul is much easier.
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steven f.
mast mate
All kinds of ways up there. We bought a mast mate and found it works very well. I also have someone on the deck with a safety line to me just in case.
All kinds of ways up there. We bought a mast mate and found it works very well. I also have someone on the deck with a safety line to me just in case.
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