Is it safe to climb the mast when the boat is ashore in a cradle?

[Chae_73]

We managed to get the genoa halyard jammed at the top of the mast, whilst attempting to remove the genoa from the rotor furler. My fault; lesson learned. The boat is on the hard in a sturdy cradle.

The boatyard lent us a bosun's chair, but once at the foot of the mast, looking upward, in a fresh breeze, my bottle went. Logic tells me that as long as I keep my weight over the mast step, nothing untoward will happen, however I didn't feel happy about it.

So ended up leaving the sail up, imperfectly furled, with a spare halyard wrapped around it to give a bit of extra security. I feel somewhat ashamed that I didn't get up the mast and sort the problem, but it seemed a lot more scary than when the boat is afloat.

The yard have said they will get it sorted on the first day of light winds; fair play to them!

Is it ok to climb the mast when out of the water? What do people think?

 

[sarabande]

If the cradle is of unitary construction, i.e. not supported at the bow and stern as some are, then I would not hesitate. Your mass is on the centreline.


Cradles with props and similar structures (kegs and pallets) are a different kettle of fish.

 

[rogerthebodger]

At least when you boat is in a cradle it won't start rocking about due to a passing speeding boat when you are at the top of the mast.

I have had this happen some times you just have to hang on for dear life.

 

[doug748]

I've done it a lot on my 32ft boat. I normally knock in a few extra props, it helps to keep the thing rigid.

.

 

[Boathook]

I've been up the mast of my cat when ashore. Big advantage is that the boat doesn't rock! Your boat in a cradle should be fine. The off putting bit is that it seems further to fall but I suspect that afloat or ashore you will hit the deck first ...

 

[GHA]

Done it lots of times, though a lifetime of working at height probably helped..
If a decent blow doesn't knock the boat over then you won't.

 

[Chae_73]

Yes, it's a steel cradle with 4 "legs" holding the sides of the hull, nothing at the stern or bow.

So I see that I have been overly cautious! I'll have to test my mettle and get used to being 50' aloft.

 

[Poignard]

In my yard in France people often climb masts of boats ashore. Amateurs and professionals do it.

The boats are supported by props:

 

[earlybird]

When I'vebeen obliged to do this, the worry absolutely furthest from my mind is that the boat will tip over.

 

[PetiteFleur]

I've done it whilst ashore on my 33' - wait for a calm day, which reminds me as I have to replace the masthead vhf aerial. May have to wait until spring as I'm booked in for a new knee on the 21st...

 

[mikegunn]

I would have no hesitation in going up your mast provided that the situation first satisfied my own risk assessment. I am sure that it is well within your capability to do the same. I quite enjoy going up my mast and have done so both with the vessel in the water and propped on the hard. However, it is never an exercise to be taken lightly and all factors must be taken into consideration. Including a plan B and a plan C.
Mike

 

[Yellow Ballad]

I prefer it, or when the boats dried out in mud, no rocking about that way.

I've also been up with the genoa and spin halyard in place of the forestay but being keel stepped it was marginal risk (no way would I do it on a deck stepped mast), I didn't hang about up there though, new stay on and back down pronto!

 

[Chae_73]

However, it is never an exercise to be taken lightly and all factors must be taken into consideration. Including a plan B and a plan C.
Mike

What would plans B and C involve?
The rational part of my brain was reasonably satisfied that it was a viable plan, but the extent of the plan was:
Is the boat adequately supported - yes
Does the bosun's chair appear to be adequate - yes
Do I have a suitable rope? - yes, the mainsail halyard which appears ok although I do intent to replace as they are of unknown age and type
Do I have a suitably competent person to control the rope - yes
Are the weather conditions favourable - well there was about 18 knots of wind so arguably not perfect but I doubt I would create really significant windage, even 50+ feet up.

 

[Poey50]

The contract with my yard prohibits climbing the mast. Riggers I think also won't do it because of insurance limitations (or so I was told). But I get up earlier than most people start work and if needs be am willing to feign ignorance / ask forgiveness.

 

[Chae_73]

I'm glad everyone here is much braver than I am - increasing my resolve for next time!

 

[savageseadog]

The way to look at it is what kind of forces act on the boat while in the cradle? The wind of course, for a 30 footer in 35knots I would imagine the turning force on boat/boom/mast would be far in excess of anything a climber would exert. My caveats would be not to ascend in anything more than 10knots simply due to the discomfort and extra difficulties. I probably wouldn't ascend anything less than 24ft in a yard either.

 

[NormanS]

If your boat is in a suitable cradle, it's not a problem. I have mast steps and go up at least once a year. I would never go up if the boat was only supported by shores.

 

[dankilb]

The way to look at it is what kind of forces act on the boat while in the cradle? The wind of course, for a 30 footer in 35knots I would imagine the turning force on boat/boom/mast would be far in excess of anything a climber would exert. My caveats would be not to ascend in anything more than 10knots simply due to the discomfort and extra difficulties. I probably wouldn't ascend anything less than 24ft in a yard either.

Absolutely. Our boat has been propped ashore for far too long so I’ve come to know the intricacies of how it behaves in different conditions - the wind on the mast can make her rock’n’roll more than anything else (42ft/10 tonnes)... Any climber could do their worse Tarzan impression to no ill effects!

 

[thinwater]

The contract with my yard prohibits climbing the mast. Riggers I think also won't do it because of insurance limitations (or so I was told). But I get up earlier than most people start work and if needs be am willing to feign ignorance / ask forgiveness.

Same here, in most yards.

Liability, and the risk that someone would swing out to the spreaders and do something dumb. A blanket rule.

 

[Tamar]

I leave mast climbing to the experts.