mast climbing

[tyse]

hi,
the mast head fitting for my topping lift has just fallen to pieces so i need to fit a new one, i was wondering if a mast of a 22ft boat is built to support some one climbing up it ( im a big lad 14.5 stone all muscle honest), or will it be easier and safer dropping the mast

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[charles_reed]

If it's deck-stepped it will be easier to drop the mast and fit the replacement than to climb the mast.

The problem is not the mast breaking but rather your weight so far above the boat's C of G.

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[Avocet]

I asked the same question a few months ago and the concensus seemed to be that the compression loads on the mast from the rig would be much larger than the weight of a person. I'm a sylph-like 16 stone and our boat is a 27 footer (mast about 30' tall). Try a forum search.

That said, I'm still not convinced that it would be OK! In your case, I'd definitely unstep the mast. Is the boat afloat? If so, you might be able to partially lower it against a tall harbour wall. I fitted a roller reefing system that way and it was surprisingly easy!

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[snowleopard]

i was considering the same question with a 23 footer. i did the calculations which said it would capsize once i got above the spreaders.

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[Strathglass]

We have sent the youngest crew (11stone) to the masthead on an Eboat (22ft with 660lbs keel) on a mooring in (flat water). We could only heel her to about 30 degrees, even with two crew on the sidedeck.
We would have liked more as the objective was to scrub the bottom before a race.

I dont think there would be any problem climbing to the masthead on a more conventionally ballasted craft 22ft or over long, as long as basic safety precautions were taken.

Regards

Iain

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[TimLamb]

I had to go up the mast recently (for the first time), I have a bosun's chair, but in the end just took the extendable ladders up to the marina on a roof-rack and used them, with two helpers holding the base and with them lashed to the mast, got the job done without any fuss, very easy, if you have access to a set of ladders ?

Good luck.

Tim

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