A neighboring sailor said I needed to put on spreader boots to protect my genoa. Climbing up looks pretty dicey, but lowering the mast might have its own issues. Is there a clear cut preference here? I'd guess lowering the mast is something that can be done safely, but I don't know how, or how many hands it would take. Appreciate informed opinions.
Installing spreader boots -lower mast or climb up?
- Thread starter kaboboom
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The spreaders are only about 12 feet above deck. I used a 14 ft extension ladder and placed on the bow and the mast and climbed up. I tied the ladder to the mast so it does not fall off. It is a good idea to have a second person present.
THanks for both responses, and they seem to agree not to step the mast. I do have a lanky kid I can borrow, but by coincidence, Charles and I have the same marina tower (somewhere...I looked around for some appropriate stucture, but didn't see any). But there is an empty slip on one side, so the notion of pulling the boat down by the halyard is very interesting. I would have thought this would take a lot of force, but maybe it doesn't. Thanks again!
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