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You can but
I suggest that you check out a climbing harness. I have used several "chairs" and now have a Brion Toss designed harness (briontoss.com). Save yourself a lot of trouble and get a well padded harness. You cannot fall out and it gets you higher ie: above the top of the mast. My harness came from Brion but West Marine carries it and you can see one in their catalog. There are lots of other sources of harnesses. Marine (West Marine, Sailnet etc.), climbing (REI etc.), and rescue (CMC Rescue etc.). Other climbing gear is also interesting - such as ascenders which allow you to "climb" a halyard. You could go aloft alone this way but you should always have a deck person to tend a second safety halyard and get you the things that you forgot to bring up with you. Don't forget to tie down the lower end of the halyard if you do this - else you will be swinging around a lot and may bang into things.
I suggest that you check out a climbing harness. I have used several "chairs" and now have a Brion Toss designed harness (briontoss.com). Save yourself a lot of trouble and get a well padded harness. You cannot fall out and it gets you higher ie: above the top of the mast. My harness came from Brion but West Marine carries it and you can see one in their catalog. There are lots of other sources of harnesses. Marine (West Marine, Sailnet etc.), climbing (REI etc.), and rescue (CMC Rescue etc.). Other climbing gear is also interesting - such as ascenders which allow you to "climb" a halyard. You could go aloft alone this way but you should always have a deck person to tend a second safety halyard and get you the things that you forgot to bring up with you. Don't forget to tie down the lower end of the halyard if you do this - else you will be swinging around a lot and may bang into things.
yes, but . . .
Assuming you are doing this in the water, the sway is more of a problem than your weight. The smaller the boat, the heavier the guy, the wider the potential tipping of the boat. On my 340, we ask the crew to be very careful not to rock the boat while moving around on deck. On your boat, this problem will increase. But heck - its always a great view from the top, so take a small camera if you can <grin>
Assuming you are doing this in the water, the sway is more of a problem than your weight. The smaller the boat, the heavier the guy, the wider the potential tipping of the boat. On my 340, we ask the crew to be very careful not to rock the boat while moving around on deck. On your boat, this problem will increase. But heck - its always a great view from the top, so take a small camera if you can <grin>
Help out
I have found it helps to assist the person working the winch by pulling yourself up along with the winch grinding. I weigh 145lb and the "grinder" has to work pretty hard getting me up the mast of my H30. I found if I help by carefully getting on the boom and pulling up on the shrouds on the ride up, it makes the job easier. Coming down is not a problem. Be carefull - relax and enjoy the view.
I have found it helps to assist the person working the winch by pulling yourself up along with the winch grinding. I weigh 145lb and the "grinder" has to work pretty hard getting me up the mast of my H30. I found if I help by carefully getting on the boom and pulling up on the shrouds on the ride up, it makes the job easier. Coming down is not a problem. Be carefull - relax and enjoy the view.
WIth Steps you can even go up at sea
When I sailed to Hawaii some years ago, everying on the boat was fixed and tested and I put a new "blipper" radar reflector. I caught the tide in early morning- no wind. Then, after motoring through the golden gate I went to hoist the sails. This time the halyard got caught behind the radar relector. Had to go up the mast! I had mast steps and a harness and it really wasn't too bad. Funny thing was that I had been feeling really seasick but the fresh air did me good. I have been up several times over the years to repair wind instruments etc and I find that the steps and the harness are invaluable. With the harness (the usual safety type for attaching to jack lines) you can lean back and use both hands for difficult tasks. Anyone else like steps? Jim W
When I sailed to Hawaii some years ago, everying on the boat was fixed and tested and I put a new "blipper" radar reflector. I caught the tide in early morning- no wind. Then, after motoring through the golden gate I went to hoist the sails. This time the halyard got caught behind the radar relector. Had to go up the mast! I had mast steps and a harness and it really wasn't too bad. Funny thing was that I had been feeling really seasick but the fresh air did me good. I have been up several times over the years to repair wind instruments etc and I find that the steps and the harness are invaluable. With the harness (the usual safety type for attaching to jack lines) you can lean back and use both hands for difficult tasks. Anyone else like steps? Jim W
shields class
In my younger/stupider days (in other words, back when I used to race sailboats) I was racing a Shields class boat in a one-design race. Foredeck. On a downwind leg a shackle failed on the spinnaker halyard, leaving the halyard at the top of the mast and the chute in the water. Being young/stupid, I immediately shimmied up the stick, without a bosun's chair, of course, but when I got to the top I was so terrified by the arc through which the masthead was rocking that I was unwilling to let go with either hand for the brief second it would take to grab the halyard. My solution? I grabbed the halyard in my teeth and slid all way down to the spreaders before I dared transfer it to my hand. Sheesh. Didn't win either.
In my younger/stupider days (in other words, back when I used to race sailboats) I was racing a Shields class boat in a one-design race. Foredeck. On a downwind leg a shackle failed on the spinnaker halyard, leaving the halyard at the top of the mast and the chute in the water. Being young/stupid, I immediately shimmied up the stick, without a bosun's chair, of course, but when I got to the top I was so terrified by the arc through which the masthead was rocking that I was unwilling to let go with either hand for the brief second it would take to grab the halyard. My solution? I grabbed the halyard in my teeth and slid all way down to the spreaders before I dared transfer it to my hand. Sheesh. Didn't win either.
catalina 25
on the way to catalina island out of san pedro...me and another dopy sailor allowed both halyards make there way to the top of the mast...with a swamped engine..and and no sails we were getting pounded..only option was to climb on up...talk about bruised arms....to answer the question..no problem
on the way to catalina island out of san pedro...me and another dopy sailor allowed both halyards make there way to the top of the mast...with a swamped engine..and and no sails we were getting pounded..only option was to climb on up...talk about bruised arms....to answer the question..no problem
Getting to the top without too much difficulty
I used the main sheet blocks from my 1979 Hunter 25 to get a mechanical advantage and was able to get myself to the top of the mast without too much difficulty. I an approx 170 pounds. I certainly suggest using someone to assist you from the deck since it makes it a whole lot easier. I used the main halyard and did not rely on the shackle on the halyard to support my weight. Quite a view from up there also! be sure to take your camera (and of course all of your tools) with you!
I used the main sheet blocks from my 1979 Hunter 25 to get a mechanical advantage and was able to get myself to the top of the mast without too much difficulty. I an approx 170 pounds. I certainly suggest using someone to assist you from the deck since it makes it a whole lot easier. I used the main halyard and did not rely on the shackle on the halyard to support my weight. Quite a view from up there also! be sure to take your camera (and of course all of your tools) with you!
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