My jib halliard is jammed at the top of the mast and I need to get up there to clear it. I have a few options: 1) Have the yard do it for about $50+. 2) Buy or borrow a bosson's chair, get 2 friends to help, and clear it myself -dangerous and scary or 3) Buy a Mast Mate and climb and clear it myself. This 3d option although the most expensive ($300+) is very attractive because I perceive it to be a safer - more perminent solution to a possible recurring problem since I keep my Cat 27 on a mouring. Question- Has any one used a Mast Mate (advertized in this month's Sail magazine), or does anyone have an alternative solution. I'd appreciate your comments. Thanks in advance. Bob
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Sean
Up the Mast!
I had the same problem and bought a mast mate. I have since used it to replace mast bulbs etc. I find it to be a secure easy way up the mast. Although the rings do tire your feet quickly. I am a fairly big guy 6'3, 215 and the thought of my friends helping me up on a bosun's chair was not overly comforting. Overall I think it was a good purchase!
I had the same problem and bought a mast mate. I have since used it to replace mast bulbs etc. I find it to be a secure easy way up the mast. Although the rings do tire your feet quickly. I am a fairly big guy 6'3, 215 and the thought of my friends helping me up on a bosun's chair was not overly comforting. Overall I think it was a good purchase!
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LaDonna Bubak - Planet Catalina
Hey, if you don't mind parting with 300 bucks!
Personally, I can think of about a jillion other things I'd rather buy with that money but to each his own. I've been up my (as well as other's) mast several times in a bosun's chair. It's actually not dangerous if done correctly. You would want to TIE the main halyard to the chair - NEVER use the shackle! I also use the spinnaker halyard as a secondary...just in case. And up you go. You can also try to find someone "small" to do the job for you, if they don't mind heights (I suppose that's the reason I seem to be the one going up everyone's masts!). But if you do get the mast mate, I'd still invest in a climbing harness setup & attach it to the main halyard as described above and have someone tailing for you just in case you lose your footing on the steps. Good luck! LaDonna
Personally, I can think of about a jillion other things I'd rather buy with that money but to each his own. I've been up my (as well as other's) mast several times in a bosun's chair. It's actually not dangerous if done correctly. You would want to TIE the main halyard to the chair - NEVER use the shackle! I also use the spinnaker halyard as a secondary...just in case. And up you go. You can also try to find someone "small" to do the job for you, if they don't mind heights (I suppose that's the reason I seem to be the one going up everyone's masts!). But if you do get the mast mate, I'd still invest in a climbing harness setup & attach it to the main halyard as described above and have someone tailing for you just in case you lose your footing on the steps. Good luck! LaDonna
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Gary Jensen
not that bad going up
I'v had to go up my mast with just mast steps and no safty harness while under sail (during an emergency). I could not have done it without NOT having been up there before. I would use a bosuns chair and the main halyard with a spinnaker halyard backup (using two winches) I would use a safty harness with a carabiner to secure myself while up there the first time. I feel that its important to "master the mast" because you never know when you may need to go up... good luck
I'v had to go up my mast with just mast steps and no safty harness while under sail (during an emergency). I could not have done it without NOT having been up there before. I would use a bosuns chair and the main halyard with a spinnaker halyard backup (using two winches) I would use a safty harness with a carabiner to secure myself while up there the first time. I feel that its important to "master the mast" because you never know when you may need to go up... good luck
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Mike M.
I did this once
On my 25 I had the jib halliard get hung up at the top of the mast. Here is what I did: I cut a 6" piece of 1" electrical pvc pipe then ran a 4" bolt half way though it and then put a nut on eact side and one on the very end. I then taped it to the main sail halliard raised it and snaged the jib halliard with the bolt. It took about 15 minutes and a lot of luck, but it worked for me. Hope you can make sence in what I described above. Good luck
On my 25 I had the jib halliard get hung up at the top of the mast. Here is what I did: I cut a 6" piece of 1" electrical pvc pipe then ran a 4" bolt half way though it and then put a nut on eact side and one on the very end. I then taped it to the main sail halliard raised it and snaged the jib halliard with the bolt. It took about 15 minutes and a lot of luck, but it worked for me. Hope you can make sence in what I described above. Good luck
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Bob Sawyer
Great Suggestions!
Thank you all for your terriffic suggestions as well as not commenting on my miss spelling of a few words. I can't wait to try Mike M's method to free the jib halyard. Mike you described it very well. You all gave me food for thought in my first attempt at "Mastering the Mast" Thanks again, Bob
Thank you all for your terriffic suggestions as well as not commenting on my miss spelling of a few words. I can't wait to try Mike M's method to free the jib halyard. Mike you described it very well. You all gave me food for thought in my first attempt at "Mastering the Mast" Thanks again, Bob
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Mark - UK Sailmakers
I have used a Mast Mate for many years in business, and found it to be well worth the $85 spent then. It allows me to go up without anyone else, And I don't have to rely on deck hardware that is questionable. I use a harness around the mast for safety (and to free up both hands. I don't use the slugs the came with it)It's a once a life purchse. Not too bad if you'll be in the sport for the long haul. Mark
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David Sandowich
GO FOR IT
I'VE GONE UP BOTH WAYS AND I FEEL MORE CONFIDENT AND IN CONTROL WITH THE MAST MATE. YOU WILL NEED SOME TYPE HARNESS TO SECURE YOURELF IN ONCE YOU ARE UP IN ORDER TO FREE YOUR HANDS AND TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF YOUR FEET.
I'VE GONE UP BOTH WAYS AND I FEEL MORE CONFIDENT AND IN CONTROL WITH THE MAST MATE. YOU WILL NEED SOME TYPE HARNESS TO SECURE YOURELF IN ONCE YOU ARE UP IN ORDER TO FREE YOUR HANDS AND TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF YOUR FEET.
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Hugh Charles
mate a good solution
own and have used a mast mate for several years. I feel safer than with the chair, I can also do this when I'm at the boat during the week and am alone. a good product,very well made.
own and have used a mast mate for several years. I feel safer than with the chair, I can also do this when I'm at the boat during the week and am alone. a good product,very well made.
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