How often does one need to go "aloft"

RIMCOas01

RIMCOas01

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How often does one need to go \"aloft\"

I have been reviewing motor sailers (cats mainly) for Med.based living for future winters.
- I have done a little crewing on a couple of friends "yachts" (must be honest though I am happier sat steering a motor boat than all this on the deck & heeling stuff) ... but my question:

Having difficulty even putting up the Xmas trimmings, the thought of going aloft to fix some mast problem scares me sh.....less ... what are the odds of having to do this. In addition being 105kgs I reckon me lifting my own weight would be a problem .. wouldn't it ?

PS. Having read "Sailing for Dummies" is there even less of a technical read for my aging grey cells

M
 
Re: How often does one need to go \"aloft\"

If you are marina based and just coast hopping (day sails etc) it is very unlikely that you will have to go "aloft". There are few problems that can't be made to wait until you get back to base where someone younger can shin up there for you.
 
Re: How often does one need to go \"aloft\"

I must admit I avoid going aloft, and haven't needed to for over ten years, but then we have the mast dropped every winter when she comes ashore, which probably isn't a realistic option for you.

For a less technical read on the subject, try "Up Aloft with Old Harry" by the late, great Des Sleightholme. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Re: How often does one need to go \"aloft\"

Having had to go up twice last season to replace tri-white bulbs (three times if you count the one with the broken filament) I've replaced my masthead unit with an LED one. I know it's an expensive option, but I'm really getting too old for this [--word removed--].
 
Re: How often does one need to go \"aloft\"

In the seven years we've had our old boat, I've only been up three times.

Her Indoors, mind you has been sent up on more occasions than that, including to retrieve halyards that I lost (twice in one day, memorably!), 'cos she's lighter to get up the mast than old Billy No Mates here, who's running to seed!

Bless her, she also gets to go swimming to clear the prop. as she swims better than me and, anyway, I hate to get wet and cold.

Isn't she grand? She'll be hard to replace so I think I'll keep her a bit longer.
 
Re: How often does one need to go \"aloft\"

Every time I forget to check the stopper knot on the spinnaker halyard and I see the end disappearing into the hole in the mast! Seems to be about twice a year.

Got one of those webbing rope-ladder things - magic, and it is a nice view from up there.
 
Re: How often does one need to go \"aloft\"

[ QUOTE ]
Got one of those webbing rope-ladder things - magic, and it is a nice view from up there.

[/ QUOTE ] Our mast winches are not suitable for winching up and the genoa winches are not handily placed, and in any event SWMBO would have a job winching me up and wouldn't fancy the ascent herself. With tis in mind we got a Defee mast ladder - goes up the sail track and has solid rungs so very easy to use.

ascent.jpg


One other tip - get a climbing harness - much more comfortable way of attaching a safety line or using instead of a bosun's chair.

- Nick
 
Re: How often does one need to go \"aloft\"

For anyone who is scared of heights, may I commend to you signing up for a voyage on a tall ship? This is an excellent way of coming to terms with being scared of going up the mast, IMHO.

I used to get dizzy just going up a 10' ladder, and then I went sailing with the TSYT on one of their brigs. Swore I was never going up the rig, but as everyone else was going 'up and over' to the first platform, had a bash - and found it was easier than expected (although I was still hanging on for dear life).
The next time was easier, and the time after that, when I got a bit higher, and went out on the yards to help stow the sails - and by the end of the 10 days on board I was out on the royals (the yards at the very top, about 100' up), enjoying the view...... going up our mast now is a doddle!
 
Got a webbing ladder too.

I guess I have to go up once per year for something or other. The tape ladder works fine and its worth the space it occupies. I would not like to go up while the boats moving but in fact when I was using a drill to fit a halyard diverter the boat was moored to a buoy on th eDart and a trip boat went by. It wasn't much of a problem. However it does fully occupy our crew of two; one going aloft and the other tailing on the safety line. Besides it gives more entertainment value if you are moored up in a harbour.
 
Re: Got a webbing ladder too.

I have a webbing ladder (well over 50ft when all the bit's are used) and find it gets used a couple of times a year- Mainly on other peoples boats.

Iain
 
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