Climbing the Mast

[ccscott49]

As long as the holes are drilled properly, the pop rivets (if you use monel), should be fine.
If your worried about the mast failing or the steps coming off, if it's as weak as that, you need a new mast anyway!

 

[Boatman]

Have had the same question in my mid for years now I sail alone most of the time.

6 to 1 ratio block system (yes alot of rope) a rock climbers clamp and Harness, attach clamp to a fixed halyard + harness and the block system to a halyard plulled to the top of the mast and you can pull yourself up.

Works all the time and doesn't have the problem of the windlass jamming (I used to do windlass as below and sometimes still do) But........................

 

[Poignard]

[ QUOTE ]
you need a new mast anyway!


[/ QUOTE ]

Don't say that! Have you seen the prices of new masts?

 

[Abaker]

Re: Climbing the Mast Re: Boatman

A 4 to 1 ratio works with ball-bearing blocks and single braid polyester that's supple and easy to grasp (e.g. New England Regatta). A ratchet block at the top makes it simple to belay the line around a small cleat at the top of the bosun's chair instead of using climbing gear. You still want someone on deck in case the line gets fouled.

 

[ccscott49]

Got any BIG trees locally? tee hee

 

[Anonymous]

We have a 20m mast and folding mast steps. I walk up, with a bosun's chair, tailed by my wife up and down so she does not have to do any work. It works very well indeed. The steps allow me to stand and move about much more freely than I would be able to using a chair alone.

 

[keelbolt]

I prefer a climbing harness - much more comfortable than a chair, and I suspect probably a tad safer!

 

[Bejasus]

Last Saturday, before returning to work for another month, I decided to remove the sails before the hurricane season starts. After dropping the furling staysail without problem, I started to drop the furling Genoa, only for it to stick solid after about 4 feet and wouldn't budge. Nothing for it but a trip up the mast. In the past SWMBO has managed to winch me up using the main halyard, but this time I needed to be up the front of the mast to be able to reach out to where the top furler for the genoa was stuck on the foil. I rigged a block to the bottom of the mast and led a spinnaker halyard through this to the anchor winch and used the another spare halyard as a safety line. With help from another 2 persons, one tailing the safety line on a winch and the other using the anchor winch, I was hoisted in a bosuns chair, to the just below the mast top where I managed to release the sail from the furler and after securing myself to the mast head, I used the safety line to allow a controlled drop of the genoa, then I was lowered using the anchor winch as before.
This was the first time I have used the anchor winch for this and it went without a problem, but you do have to be quick when grabbing onto the mast and shrouds when ascending and descending to avoid getting into any problems.
Meanwhile, top furler is still stuck on the foil, but this can wait until the rig comes down in a couple of months for checking.

 

[Ric]

Just throw the bosun's chair overboard and get a decent climbing harness, a couple of Pretzl ascenders, and an abseiling 8. I can get to the top of my mast in a jif, and abseil back down, on my own in half the time it used to take some poor volunteer to puff and pant and winch me up the mast. Most importantly, I am in control of my own fate and don't have to concern myself with the competence or otherwise of the wincher.

 

[Appleyard]

Steve we hsve just got back from 5 weeks sailing so hope that my reply is not too late to help. I am pushing 60 with a very short stick and swmbo is mid 50's ,,both in good nick fitness wise. We use a get- up mast ladder as advertised in PBO and it is brilliant, the boat has in mast reefing but the ladder has a luff rope which slides in the external groove in the mast. We hoist it witgh a spare halyard and it is very esay to climb,but use hard soled shoes. Once up,there is a safety belt which allows you to use both hands .To can ue a safety harness on another halyard if you like,but I find it very safe and comfortable to use on its own. When not in use it stows away in a bag about medium rucksack size. I have used it about a dozen times now so can vouch for it's performance. If you want any other info,pm me. PS .... and you don't have to drill or modify the mast in any way.