Need to unstep Mast

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Paddydog`1

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I know the importance of rigging and mast checks but is it necessary to unstep the mast (at great expense) to do this thoroughy. I know my top sheaves need replacing on my 20 year old selden mast. Also I'd like a TV aerial installed and by the way Led navigation lights too. I've had a new furler 2 years ago and my standing rigging replaced 4 years ago. So the question is why unstep the mast if I can find a rigger prepared to do above work?
 
Paddydog`1 said:
So the question is why unstep the mast if I can find a rigger prepared to do above work?
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Why indeed?

Best people to speak to are a few riggers as they've got the expertise to determine whether they consider it safe to go up your mast and they (or at least one of them) will be the one who goes up.

From your description I can't see any reason why there would be a problem.
 
Are you asking because someone's told you the mast will have to be unstepped? There's no reason why it can't be done with mast in situ, you could even DIY?
 
So is unstepping a mast for maintenance a thing of the past? It certainly is expensive even if you do disconnect electrics yourself. I'd be interested to know how many people still do it.
 
This is probably a really dumb question, but if you need to replace the top sheaves, aren't they going to be part of what is suspending the rigger in place?
 
I unstepped my mast as its a new boat to me and second hand and the windex was stuck.In the days of wooden boats laying up was quite complicated and lowering the mast was standard procedure so that the sheves could be serviced and the rigging greased and the mast oiled and any repairs made..today unless you suspect a problem it stays up.Sometimes its possible to bring the boat along side and inspect the mast head or use binos.
 
jamesjeffrey said:
This is probably a really dumb question, but if you need to replace the top sheaves, aren't they going to be part of what is suspending the rigger in place?
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Well, assuming they're in good enough state for him to get up there in the first place, he could temporarily switch to a different method of attachment while he replaces them.

Pete
 
Paddydog`1 said:
So is unstepping a mast for maintenance a thing of the past? It certainly is expensive even if you do disconnect electrics yourself. I'd be interested to know how many people still do it.
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Well, I do, because it's wooden and I varnish it every year, and because the boat is rigged to be self-sufficient in getting it up and down. I welcome the opportunity to check everything, and to know (as I crash sideways off a wave later in the season) that all the rigging is securely attached and was checked a maximum of 6 or 8 months ago.

Sooner or later I'll move to a bigger boat with a tin mast, which I'll leave up because the hassle of craning it down and up isn't worth it. I will miss those annual checks though; I might have to buy one of the various mast-climbing widgets so I can examine the rig in situ.

For what it's worth, I don't remember ever seeing a deck-stepped metal mast being lowered in my yard.

Pete
 
But if the cap casting has to come off to access the sheaves and spindles and there is a tv wire to run and fasten against rattling ...?

I have folding mast steps, there is a lot I can do up there but something's one can't.
Get the binos out and have a looksee to how the sheaves are retained next perhaps?
 
It would depend on what you call expensive, the last uk boat club I was in cost me £30 to take the mast off for winter, (Albin Vega) I did it the year before using an old Quayside crane and made a complete F up of it! It however gave me chance to check everything over, plus I felt better knowing my boat on props had no mast up. each to their own!
 
Davy_S said:
It would depend on what you call expensive, the last uk boat club I was in cost me £30 to take the mast off for winter
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It would also depend on what facilities you have access to. The non-club yard that I'm in charges "£120 minimum" (not sure what would cause it to increase) for each way.

Pete
 
[QUOTEIt would also depend on what facilities you have access to. The non-club yard that I'm in charges "£120 minimum" (not sure what would cause it to increase) for each way.

Pete
][/QUOTE]

Yes, very valid point! we got together and a crane trundled up the lane, he tended to do at least three masts at a time. Of course it worked well for us. I was very happy to pay 30 notes. Not everyone can do the same.
 
I'm pretty sure that the sheaves in a 20 year old Selden mast are inside the cap, which needs to be removed to access them. From memory of mine there is no way to withdraw the axle with the mast up. Could be wrong, it's a while since I was up there.
 
Speaking as a rigger myself what you suggest would pose no safety risk at all. If i was doing it i would go up on the spinnaker halyard which will have an external block.

The real issue is that they are both horrible jobs which could be very time consuming and therefore expensive. He (or she) will need to stop the sheaves from falling into the mast when the pin is removed, there is more than likely a lot of corrosion on the pin which is difficult to heat aloft. As for the tv antenna getting the wire down the mast means either removing the vhf or tricolour cable and the pulling a small piece of line through with tv cable and original cable. This could be impossible if conduit is not in good condition or wires are twisted within it. Other option is to run a wire or dyneema carrier wire with tv antenna connected and tensioning it against mast wall.

I would be surprised if anyone will give you a price for these jobs.
 
wklein said:
Speaking as a rigger myself what you suggest would pose no safety risk at all. If i was doing it i would go up on the spinnaker halyard which will have an external block.

.
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I'm surprised that you would happily go up on a spinnaker halyard, hanging on an external block, probably with a swivel....:eek:

At least with a halyard over a built-in sheave, you know it won't all come crashing down.
 
I think it should come down every few years, to check for corrosion and service the sheaves etc. depending on the design.
If the foot is removable, its worth taking it off and re-fitting with something to ward off corrosion.
While you are at, change all the wiring.

Other years, I'd leave it up if possible, masts get damaged when they're down.
 
The cost I was quoted to unstep and refix the mast was about £300 including VAT. Clearly if the sheaves could be replaced with the mast up that would offset the labour costs involved. If Viv is right about access to the venerable Selden mast sheaves then I will have to bite the bullet and unstep the mast but will use the opportunity to do a complete service including wiring ,running rigging etc.
 
NormanS said:
I'm surprised that you would happily go up on a spinnaker halyard, hanging on an external block, probably with a swivel....:eek:

At least with a halyard over a built-in sheave, you know it won't all come crashing down.
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Selden masts have internal spinnaker halyards with an exit about a foot below the block. Even if it did break you would only fall 2 feet and as spinnaker halyards are rarely dyneema it would be hugely unpleasant but little more.
 
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