Theoretical speculations so far. If you want to adjust the turnbuckle at the tip of the lower spreader (D2), how to get there? I recently received a bosun chair as a present so I intend to use it when the need appeares. Since I have a furling main both my halyards are engaged already. That leaves the topping lift which is very short and doesn't reach the winches. Shall I add a piece of rope to it with a knot? What to use for increasing my security up there since I have no halyard left? (I dont want to haul my sails). If you use climbing equipment would you be able to reach the tip of the quite long spreader? Grateful for all tips. Preferably the whole manoeuvre should be feasible with the aid of only one person. Mark P
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Use the topping Lift
Mark, I went aloft earlier this season. I used the Topping lift. I stood on the boom which gave me enought line to reach the winch. I tied a bowlin to the bosuns chair and use the shakle as well. Good luck.
Mark, I went aloft earlier this season. I used the Topping lift. I stood on the boom which gave me enought line to reach the winch. I tied a bowlin to the bosuns chair and use the shakle as well. Good luck.
Mark, That's Not The Only Problem,
Wait till your anchor light at the top of the mast needs to be replaced (as the one on my 420 did last Fall).... Only the main halyard goes all the way to the TOP of the mast, and it's a real pain to take the main down just to use its halyard to replace a light bulb. (Plus you have no safety). Unless you're a 25 year old rigger who can "monkey climb" the mast (which few of us are, or want to be), you're "screwed".... My solution... I took the boat over to the boat yard and had their rigger go up to the top of the mast (using the yard's crane), and attach a block (with 90' of 1/2" braided line thru it) to the extension off the aft side of the top of the mast.... effectively giving me another halyard to the top of the mast... (also changed the light bulb in the process, and added yet another 3/8" line (a "dummy" aftstay) that I use to hold a SS-Band antenna). The new (additional halyard) is tied off at the end of the boom, to keep it out of the way. Now, I can get to the TOP of the mast in a bosen chair (using the topping lift as a safety), ..... and the anchor light works, .... again.
Wait till your anchor light at the top of the mast needs to be replaced (as the one on my 420 did last Fall).... Only the main halyard goes all the way to the TOP of the mast, and it's a real pain to take the main down just to use its halyard to replace a light bulb. (Plus you have no safety). Unless you're a 25 year old rigger who can "monkey climb" the mast (which few of us are, or want to be), you're "screwed".... My solution... I took the boat over to the boat yard and had their rigger go up to the top of the mast (using the yard's crane), and attach a block (with 90' of 1/2" braided line thru it) to the extension off the aft side of the top of the mast.... effectively giving me another halyard to the top of the mast... (also changed the light bulb in the process, and added yet another 3/8" line (a "dummy" aftstay) that I use to hold a SS-Band antenna). The new (additional halyard) is tied off at the end of the boom, to keep it out of the way. Now, I can get to the TOP of the mast in a bosen chair (using the topping lift as a safety), ..... and the anchor light works, .... again.
Main Halyard - Crazy Dave did it!
When the boat was being commissoned last fall, Crazy Dave had to go up twice and used the main halyard in a chair. Lots of fun cranking that butt up to the top!! Jokes aside, we had to drop the main to be able to use the main halyard, confirming Buck that it is the only line to the top. I dread the day I have to go up there! Jim S/V Java
When the boat was being commissoned last fall, Crazy Dave had to go up twice and used the main halyard in a chair. Lots of fun cranking that butt up to the top!! Jokes aside, we had to drop the main to be able to use the main halyard, confirming Buck that it is the only line to the top. I dread the day I have to go up there! Jim S/V Java
Going Aloft
Do it all the time alone! That said, I ONLY do this with the best equipment! A bosons chair is NOT the thing to go aloft in. Wear a quality climbing harness. Attach a dedicated climbing line to your halyard(jib or main) and hoist it. Run the other end of the climbing line through the jib car and back to the winch where you tension it. Now you can climb the line with the use of climbing assenders(very easy). Even if you have a heart attack while your aloft you will not fall. Using a small line attached to the harness around the outside of the shrouds, you can pull yourself out to the end of the spreader and tie off to do your work.
Do it all the time alone! That said, I ONLY do this with the best equipment! A bosons chair is NOT the thing to go aloft in. Wear a quality climbing harness. Attach a dedicated climbing line to your halyard(jib or main) and hoist it. Run the other end of the climbing line through the jib car and back to the winch where you tension it. Now you can climb the line with the use of climbing assenders(very easy). Even if you have a heart attack while your aloft you will not fall. Using a small line attached to the harness around the outside of the shrouds, you can pull yourself out to the end of the spreader and tie off to do your work.
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