Vertical Challenged can I

3

31 Hunter

.
May 16, 2021
4
Hunter 31 Ky Lake
New to sailing, Just bought an 84' Hunter 31'. I have found that i am vertical challenged to connect the halyard. Also to uncover the main sail.

Question: Can I make a aluminum bar and connect it to the mast about a foot up? Will this affect anything? Looking at connecting with two 5/16 aluminum screws.

Any other ideas welcome. Just want to make life easier.

Thanks
E
 
kappykaplan

kappykaplan

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May 1, 2011
5,084
Pearson 37 Lusby MD
Perhaps one of the moderators will move this to Ask All Sailors so you'll get more visibility on your question.
 
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D

dlochner

.
Jan 11, 2014
13,061
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
Welcome to SBO and Sailing!

I'm 6' and it is a stretch to reach the main halyard on my boat so I added a mast step. For the money, it is hardly worth trying to fabricate one on your own.

www.defender.com

Mast Hardware

Mast Hardware from Defender. We offer: Schaefer Flat Exit Plate (34-46), Schaefer Flat Exit Plate (34-48), Schaefer Curved Exit Plate, Mast Step Folding Mast Step, Whitecap Folding Boarding Step, Forespar Lightning Master Static Dissipator, Forespar Spinnaker Pole Ring Pad Eye, Ronstan Mas for boats
www.defender.com www.defender.com
 
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DougM

DougM

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Jul 24, 2005
2,242
Beneteau 323 Manistee, MI
I never felt vertically challenged until yesterday...
I’m 6’7” and as I was re-rigging after winter layup, the wind caught my main halyard and flipped it over to the “wrong” side of the spreader. Hoping I don’t have to climb the mast to retrieve it.
I had a tag line tied to the shackle and I still lost control. I’m getting too old for this @#$.
 
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DRhoads

DRhoads

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Apr 12, 2007
206
Hunter 420 Herrington Harbor South
Love the step idea! When attaching the sail (furling) I used a small step stool to reach the hook and slot. Not the most stable set up but works. I think I will attach a step about a foot up the mast. !!!
 
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jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,364
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
31 Hunter said:
Question: Can I make a aluminum bar and connect it to the mast about a foot up? Will this affect anything? Looking at connecting with two 5/16 aluminum screws.
Click to expand
From what you are saying I understand that the height of the boom and sail at the mast is too high for you to attach the halyard to the head of the sail.

Mast steps are not an uncommon attachment to a mast. Be careful where you place the step. You are correct to attache the step with screws, but I would use 316 stainless machine screws not aluminum. I would tap the holes and use a corrosion inhibitor such as Lanocote or BoeShield on the screw threads. Care in locating the step so that it is not in the way of your halyards or wires running through the mast.

Welcome to the SBO Forum.
 
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Ken Cross

Ken Cross

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Oct 24, 2010
2,405
Hunter 30 Everett, WA
DougM said:
I never felt vertically challenged until yesterday...
I’m 6’7” and as I was re-rigging after winter layup, the wind caught my main halyard and flipped it over to the “wrong” side of the spreader. Hoping I don’t have to climb the mast to retrieve it.
I had a tag line tied to the shackle and I still lost control. I’m getting too old for this @#$.
Click to expand
boat hook?
 
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DougM

DougM

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Jul 24, 2005
2,242
Beneteau 323 Manistee, MI
Ken Cross said:
boat hook?
Click to expand
Thought of that .Nine foot boat hook and six foot boat hook duct taped end to end and still can’t reach it. Besides, looking straight up with what amounts to a mini mast and reaching is an accident waiting to happen.
Next idea is a tennis ball in a sock tied to the end of the tag line then thrown over the spreader might work.
 
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