In the recent Cock Island Race in Portsmouth, Virginia, all boats finished but one - mine. Approaching the turning mark I broke the forestay inside the roller furling system. A trip to the top of the mast is needed to effect repairs. Having never had the mast down, I have no eyeball knowledge of what type of fitting, etc., is atop the mast. Although I have a suitable bosun's chair and a volunteer to go aloft, I would still like to make a first-hand inspection. Problem: How do you haul a 250 pound skipper to the top of the mast? Has anybody done this? Any advice?
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my experience
Get the lightest possible person. Use two lines, such as main halyard and topping lift, or spinnaker halyard, or jib halyard, to hoist the person. Two lines are needed for safety. I assume you are using the jib halyard as a temporary forestay. On my Cal 25 we used the main halyard and a winch on the mast to hoist a person up. We used the spinnaker halyard, or jib halyard, for a safety line, had to disconnect it to pass over the spreaders. Safety is the key issue, make sure the lines are in good condition. I always use bowline knots versus relying on snap shackles.
Get the lightest possible person. Use two lines, such as main halyard and topping lift, or spinnaker halyard, or jib halyard, to hoist the person. Two lines are needed for safety. I assume you are using the jib halyard as a temporary forestay. On my Cal 25 we used the main halyard and a winch on the mast to hoist a person up. We used the spinnaker halyard, or jib halyard, for a safety line, had to disconnect it to pass over the spreaders. Safety is the key issue, make sure the lines are in good condition. I always use bowline knots versus relying on snap shackles.
Gant Line
I use a gant line and haul myself up. Simply a line three times as long as your mast is high and two blocks. It's basically a simple block and tackle setup. I weigh 200lbs, but with a gantline I only have to haul one third of that weight aloft. Of course, it takes 3 times as long to get there. That's what riggers use. They don't rely on someone to haul them fifty plus feet in the air and then not cleat properly. And neither do I.
I use a gant line and haul myself up. Simply a line three times as long as your mast is high and two blocks. It's basically a simple block and tackle setup. I weigh 200lbs, but with a gantline I only have to haul one third of that weight aloft. Of course, it takes 3 times as long to get there. That's what riggers use. They don't rely on someone to haul them fifty plus feet in the air and then not cleat properly. And neither do I.
Bill-
You are flirting with eternal damnation after that reply.
I doubt you will get any more good winds this year!
You are flirting with eternal damnation after that reply.
I doubt you will get any more good winds this year!Up the Mast!
Richard, BUY A MAST MATE! It was the best money I ever spent on my boat. I weigh 220# and have gone up the mast on my H30 many times using it. On one Sunday several months ago I made 9 trips, (that's right NINE!), in one morninng! Worth every penny. Good Luck Tom Foglesong K4KMG aboard 'Hearts Desire'
Richard, BUY A MAST MATE! It was the best money I ever spent on my boat. I weigh 220# and have gone up the mast on my H30 many times using it. On one Sunday several months ago I made 9 trips, (that's right NINE!), in one morninng! Worth every penny. Good Luck Tom Foglesong K4KMG aboard 'Hearts Desire'
Tom
Is mastmate that thing that you sit in and use your legs to climb up?? It looks pretty slow in the video I've seen???? Ron
Is mastmate that thing that you sit in and use your legs to climb up?? It looks pretty slow in the video I've seen???? Ron
Mast Mate
Ron, NO. The Mast Mate is a ladder that runs up your sail track. Check out www.mastmate.com. No, I do not work for them! Just a mailman here in Vero. This thing is SWEET! If you decide to buy, be sure to get the safety belt as well. Every time someone sees this thing I get tons of comments and everybody wants to borrow. NO WAY! Tom
Ron, NO. The Mast Mate is a ladder that runs up your sail track. Check out www.mastmate.com. No, I do not work for them! Just a mailman here in Vero. This thing is SWEET! If you decide to buy, be sure to get the safety belt as well. Every time someone sees this thing I get tons of comments and everybody wants to borrow. NO WAY! Tom
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