Rope ladder

[jorgefife]

I saw on a picture of a boat for sale that it had a rope and ladder, making it very attractive and, I think, practical
Like now, for example, appears as if the bulb for my anchor light is bad, and so I need to climb the mast...but at 235 pounds, no sireee...(even though I lost 25 pounds in the last 3 months)
Does anyone have any references as to how to build one?
I may be shot down in flames for even suggesting this, but I really like the idea!!!

 

[tomgrigsby]

One way I've heard to go up is to use the main sheet tackle. Attach it to the main halyard and your bosun's chair. Extend the tackle all the way out and haul the halyard up to the spreaders and cleat it off. Use the main sheet to haul yourself up to the spreaders, and while you sort of stand there, reextend the tackle and have your assistant haul the halyard the rest of the way. Then haul yourself the rest of the way. The desired method for going down is just the reverse and hopefully avoid the express route. My light is out and I'm going to have to do something. Can't say I'd be excited to have someone (or 2) winch me up. I'll be watching to see what the experienced people say.

 

[jorgefife]

That is why I think a rope ladder is such a good idea!
I will be waiting to see if someone repplies and posts something
If not, then I reckon it's not such a great idea, after all
But it looks so neat, just like the tall ships!!!

 

[Jim Legere]

Jorge,

I assume you are refering to the type of "ladder" that goes up in the sail track like the MastMate (http://www.mastmate.com/)? I have never used one, but it strikes me that it would be mighty hard on the legs and the feet if you were up there for any amount of time! Of course the tall ships had ratlines and this would be possible to rig on the fore and aft lower shrouds of an H36 or H37C. But that would only get you as far as the spreaders and then you would need some other method (metal mast steps?) to get you to the top. There is a great old book called The Marlinspike Sailor by Hervey Garrett Smith that shows how to make up ratlines.

For myself, I prefer the comfort and security of a well-made bo's'uns chair when going aloft. Using the cathead on my boat's electric anchor windless, my wife or even my daughter can hoist me up to the top with ease. The halyard winches on the mast would work too, but you might need two people - one to grind and one to tail the rope. I go aloft at least once a year to inspect the rig, even if there is nothing to fix.

IMPORTANT SAFETY STUFF! Never go aloft without a backup device. A fall from the mast can kill you or really mess you up. In the bo's'uns chair, I always have a second connection to a spare halyard, in case the halyard used to raise me fails. I use a mountaineering ascender (sort of a one-way slider lock) to attach the chair to the spare halyard. I can go up without any action on the ascender, but I must keep it released to descend. A piece of rope tied in a Prusik Knot will also work. Take time to learn some safe procedures before going aloft. The Complete Riggers Apprentice by Brion Toss is a great resource book.

Good luck and stay safe!

 

[jorgefife]

Dear Jim,
Thank you for a very nicely laid out suggestion; it may be the best, the one you suggested, looking at the pictures at least
But I was thinking of the old style 2 pieces of rope with wooden steps knotted at intervals all the way to the top
For the life of me I cannot remember where I saw one, but it was on a 30 ft, or 35 ft, boat for sale
I felt it was was tactless to ask for details, as I was not interested in buying the boat, only keen on his ladder
And it did go, from the side, all the way to the top!
Looked great; I am scared of the boson's chair, even though just lost 25 pounds...maybe another 20 and I will feel more at ease...or just get a thin person to go up for me

 

[tomgrigsby]

Jorge
The down side of the ladder you describe is that it will twist quite readily. If there is any slope from vertical, you could easily end up on the underside. I have climbed rope ladders and they are not fun. I'm thinking the bosun's chair with 3 helpers, 1 to winch and 1 to tail, and 1 on a safety line (jib halyard) would be the way to go as Jim noted above. Of course, this is just the blind leading the blind, since I haven't been up my mast either, so don't take my opinion as gospel.

 

[sailhunter1945]

I made what I consider to be the best purchase since I go my h30. It's called a "Top Climber" and is the only way tlhat I will go up the mast. The reason why is quite simple. I climb safely in a bo'sun's chair without depending on anyone. I have a dedicated line that I attach to the main halyard and pull up to the top of the mast. I use the jib halyard a my safety in case of some unforseeable disaster. I raise myself quite easily and work in the comfort and safety of a very nice chair. I can actually stand up above the top of the mast for lacing lines, wires and such. Replacing bulbs and servicing antenae and wind-dexs is a snap. I can't reccomend a product more. I can reach all the way out to the end of the spreaders for lights and boots and whatever else.

 

[Scott A.]

Mast Ladder

I use a mast ladder similar to the MastMate. The company no longer makes them due to liability insurance costs. I use it because my wife would never be able to get me aloft in a bosun's chair. But as Jim L. says, it is hard on the feet if you do not use a good pair of work shoes with strong insole/arch support. I also use an industrial fall arresting harness attached to the spinnaker halyard and also clip that onto the top of the mast once I'm up there.
When I am caught up on other jobs, I will attach wood or plastic supports to the top few steps to help relieve the foot stress.
Overall, I like the setup and feel secure when I am up there.

Scott

 

[Ed A]

rope ladder pretty well suck. when you put your weight on them your feet push out beyone vertical and your hands pull back beyond verticle so you are hanging by your hands and feet. or you can climb on with your feet on oposite sides of the ladder which is difficult. You have little control and they want to move all over. I would resort to a modern approach as stated above.

I have seen some on older boats put in the rigging so you climb between the shrouds but that really limits where you can get.

What i do is find a light guy and haul him up. it is alot safer and easier to do. If i have to go up i use a 4 part block system on the halyard. ratchet blocks make it alot better, and a chair. you will need a very large one as i do.
still the light assistant is better.