My b-day is almost here. I think I want to ask for a mast climbing system. One that I can use on my own. Any advice from anyone that does this?
Excellent points worth consideration. I'm 64 but I cycle and lift heavy at the gym still. Heights don't bother me but maybe they should. I've seen guys older than me go up. A chair to sit in and take the weight off the legs is wise.1. Going aloft without a helper is not a good idea. I know folks do it, but I wouldn't recommend it;
2. don't mean to offend, but how old are you? 20 years ago I had the fitness, and lack of fear necessary; now, not so much.
I watched a neighboring boat owner use his windless to climb the mast. He lived. I believe he had a helper if not several. As I remember he had a halyard or other line lead forward from the mast base and around the windless. The boat was an Islander 28 which has a pronounced cabin top. I don't remember how he dealt with the change in angulation there. You'd better have a lot of faith in those blocks. As a matter of policy both of my feet don't leave the deck at the same time.Does anyone use their windless?
Last time I needed to do some work up there, I hired the guys from Cheney with their bucket truck, pulled the boat alongside the crane area and rode the bucket up and down. Paid them $100, IIRC. Very helpful when you forget that tool/part on the ground and have to make a second trip. ;-)My b-day is almost here. I think I want to ask for a mast climbing system. One that I can use on my own. Any advice from anyone that does this?
That's really reasonable. And smart!Last time I needed to do some work up there, I hired the guys from Cheney with their bucket truck, pulled the boat alongside the crane area and rode the bucket up and down. Paid them $100, IIRC. Very helpful when you forget that tool/part on the ground and have to make a second trip. ;-)