Has any one used the lewmar windlass on the h36 to hoist the boson's chair. it looks similar to the V700G. I hoisted the admiral last year using the mainsheet winch and topping lift, and even though she is light, it was exhausting. Should have paid the young guy in the marina to crank the winch, the same one i had move my 4D batteries...ha. Besides the normal safety precautions of using a spare halyard, I'm wondering if the 7/16 topping lift line is thick enough to be grabbed by the drum. Dan
Using windlass to hoist boson's chair on h36
- Thread starter Dan_Y
- Start date
I use the winches, not the windlass. One method you might want to consider is a hoisting tackle arrangement that uses blocks to create a 4-1 reduction in effort.
One hoists the tackle in a halyard that is then locked down, and the bitter end of the tackle is run through the winch. It's slow going up, but takes far less effort.
One hoists the tackle in a halyard that is then locked down, and the bitter end of the tackle is run through the winch. It's slow going up, but takes far less effort.
I have thought of that also, but if you try it there are some safety considerations. I think that the 7/16" line is large enough for the windlass drum, but someone needs to tail it continuously. AND there needs to be some way to lock it down. You obviously need turning blocks to bring the topping lift to the bow without binding or chafing.
Personally I would be apprehensive about someone taking me up that way. I think there are too many ways for it to end badly. I have an electric halyard winch that it used to haul me up the mast, and it runs through the rope clutch that can be closed in a heartbeat.
Personally I would be apprehensive about someone taking me up that way. I think there are too many ways for it to end badly. I have an electric halyard winch that it used to haul me up the mast, and it runs through the rope clutch that can be closed in a heartbeat.
Friend of mine did it on his Catilina 36. I worked the windless. It was not a good situation. The lines did not align well and had a heck of a time from keeping free of riding turns. I would look closely and using snatch blocks and line cleats and make sure everything aligns and is safe.
Wow... All excellent points all, THANKS guys. ...hadn't thought about the need for a line clutch, especially if something happens to the person operating/tailing the windlass. I will abandon that approach.
stuartsw-I saw a rigger pull himself up the mast of my h30 the way you describe. He used either 4or 6 to one purchase. Looked like a giant vang! Last time, I ran the topping lift through the main sheet turning block, thru the clutch and then to the main sheet winch. Seems like the safest approach for what I currently have.
A problem that bothered me though was that my jib halyard only goes 80% up the mast (fractional rig). We used it as the safety line, but i didn't like the fact it would allow a free fall for about 5 feet if something happened to the topping lift halyard, and I don't how the chair would take a shock load like that. I was thinking about a strap to the chair with a choker around the mast once above the jib sheave. Like a prussic (sp) knot but don't know if it would grab on a mast. It sure grabs on another line though. Any thoughts for the last 5 feet?
BTW I'm going up to replace a burnt out anchor light. H36 came with aqua signal stacked steaming light above the anchor light. There are several versions so I'll have to go up to retrieve the bulbs first to figure out what LEDs will fit...unless someone knows.
stuartsw-I saw a rigger pull himself up the mast of my h30 the way you describe. He used either 4or 6 to one purchase. Looked like a giant vang! Last time, I ran the topping lift through the main sheet turning block, thru the clutch and then to the main sheet winch. Seems like the safest approach for what I currently have.
A problem that bothered me though was that my jib halyard only goes 80% up the mast (fractional rig). We used it as the safety line, but i didn't like the fact it would allow a free fall for about 5 feet if something happened to the topping lift halyard, and I don't how the chair would take a shock load like that. I was thinking about a strap to the chair with a choker around the mast once above the jib sheave. Like a prussic (sp) knot but don't know if it would grab on a mast. It sure grabs on another line though. Any thoughts for the last 5 feet?
BTW I'm going up to replace a burnt out anchor light. H36 came with aqua signal stacked steaming light above the anchor light. There are several versions so I'll have to go up to retrieve the bulbs first to figure out what LEDs will fit...unless someone knows.
If I were you I would buy every combo, if someone doesn't know, once up there with all the combo's use the one that fits and then return the unused ones.
If you can rent or borrow an electric winch "handle" (Winchrite) it would make using the halyard winch easy. You would still need another person to operate a safety line using an available halyard or the topping lift. Better still, use one of the mast climbing rigs but you still need a safety line. Whatever you use, tie the lines, don't rely on snapshackles.
Why not just have the yard pull the mast and put it on sawhorses? Then you can do all required maintenance safely and leisurely, which produces best results.
Thanks, I have done that in the past, but simply need to change the burnt out anchor light, and while I'm there, steaming light, with LEDs. I'm going to put in the dawn to dusk anchor light. It turns on at dusk, assuming you have the light switch on, and off when the sun comes up. There are some very experienced sailors in the slips next to me that will be assisting.
This isn't cheap, but I had considered this once.
http://www.winchrite.co.uk
I can't remember where I saw a cheaper alternative, but I think it was here in SBO.
An inventive guy used a "saws all" plus the correct adapter to do the same thing.
Jim...
http://www.winchrite.co.uk
I can't remember where I saw a cheaper alternative, but I think it was here in SBO.
An inventive guy used a "saws all" plus the correct adapter to do the same thing.
Jim...
Wow speak of the devil...
https://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?threads/winchrite-failure.165767/
I am glad I have a 1 ton electric winch.
Jim...
https://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?threads/winchrite-failure.165767/
I am glad I have a 1 ton electric winch.
Jim...
I bought a Milwaukee M28 right angle drill with a spare battery and a winch bit that replaces the chuck. When the mast was down I put a utility halyard in the spare sheave on top. My wife can send up with almost no effort (6-1, 240lbs). Works great single handling as I can keep some tension on 1 line while working the other for furling in the sails
http://www.thecranker.com/
http://www.thecranker.com/