IS A BOSUN'S CHAIR OK FOR MY H23

[EDEN SCOTT]

I NEED TO TAKE THE SMALL RUSTY BLOCKS OFF OF MY SPREADERS AND REMOVE THE RUST TRAIL THAT THEY HAVE LEFT ON THE SPREADERS. MY BOAT IS IN A SLIP AND I'VE NEVER STEPPED DOWN THE MAST ON THIS BOAT OR TRAILERED IT. I WANT TO FIX MY SPREADERS WITHOUT TAKING DOWN THE MAST AND I WAS HOPING THAT A FEW MINUTES HALF WAY UP THE MAST ON A BOSUN'S CHAIR WOULD DO THE TRICK. I WEIGH 185 LBS. WILL THE MAST SUPPORT MY WEIGHT IF I STAY ON THE FORE DECK SIDE, OPPOSITE THE STRAKE, TO REDUCE THE STRAIN ON THE FORESTAY? WILL IT HOLD?EDEN IN AUBURN

 

[Terry]

Hi Eden, if your boat has the standard rigging,

shrouds, back stay, forestay, etc., the mast and rigging should handle your weight. I've never owned an H23, but I would think it can support you without a problem. If you use the main halyard to raise you, attach your jib halyard just as a safety line in case the main slips. I'm assuming both lines run through line stoppers. Terry

 

[mike]

tie off laterally

Never been up the mast myself but sent my agile 150 pound son up several times. Be sure to tie the boat off laterally so she doesn't heel.

 

[Bill O'Donovan]

I wouldn't do it

The mechanism is technically strong enough, but it's not worth the risk if something goes wrong. Instead, snag a guy walking by to spendfive minutes helping you catch the mast as you lower it.

 

[Don]

llateral load?

If it's the lateral loading you are concerned about, the dynamic load on the rig is far more sailing on a 20 know breeze than you could ever exert with 185 pounds of static load on the mast. I wouldn't hessitate for a minute as long as you have confidence in the halyard(s). Donillusion

 

[Peter]

I tried it once and...

...the weight broke the sheaves in the masthead. Then I had to lower the mast to replace the sheaves. So....Go ahead and lower the mast. It's not that big a deal if you use one of the mast-raising rigs developed by several H23 owners (including myself). Check the forum archives, the Smaller Boats Forum and the Photo Forum for details.To lower the mast, you also need a support at the stern. You can easily make one using plywood and a 6 ft length of 2x4. Most rigs are stable enough for you to lower the mast with the boat still in the water.Once the mast is down, you may as well replace the sheaves in the masthead. They are pretty cheap (about $3 apiece from US Spars), go in quickly and the old ones will probably be in bad shape from age and the sun. Check the masthead light and steaming light and spray some McLube in the sail track too. Good luck!PeterH23 "Raven"

 

[Kevin Keen]

Rent a platform

You don't have to lower the mast if you don't want to do so. Rent a platform lift (one of those little motorized carts painters use for buildings, inside or out) for mast inspections from a quayside.