Time to go up the mast

[tyson_troy]

It's that time again, to head up the mast for an inspection of the rigging, the masthead, etc. In the past I've had someone else do it but it's time for me to tackle this one. I have an H29.5. Is there a best practice for going aloft? Where to secure and so on.

 

[Sailm8]

I go up using 2 halyards. One for the bosuns chair and one for the harness I wear as a safety. Someone cranks and someone belays the harness. I carry a short piece of line to tie myself to the mast at the top to hold down the swinging. There are also self lifting rigs and climbing rigs but I have no experience with them. My system needs a grinder and someone to belay

 

[stephen Penny]

I use is a Swiss Tech mast climber with 10:1 purchase (15 lb pull for a 150 lb person) + bosuns chair. It is fast, easy to use and avoids winching and lots of rope. I use a topping lift and spinnaker halyard to secure the climber devise plus a spotter. The system includes a harness that you can use to stand up straight while servicing the top of mast. Went up twice yesterday evening and once this morning to inspect my mast in preparation for a coastal trip.