Rat Lines: Main or Mizzen?

[demonboy]

I'm not sure we can afford one of those self-climby things to get me up the mast but we've been told being able to get to the first spreader whilst navigating reefs in the Red Sea is a major boon, so I'm thinking of making my own wooden steps connected to the stays/shrouds, based upon a friend's design which works quite well (split, bolted and stabilised with bulldog clips). Teak is difficult to get hold of (and expensive) so I'm planning on using some Oriental hornbeam.

My problem is that the double shrouds on the main makes this difficult to install, whilst the mizzen rigging lends itself to these steps quite nicely. I'm happy to use the mizzen as I figured once you're up at the first spreader, whether you're on the main or mizzen makes little difference to your vis of the sea (they're at the same height). SWMBO, who is normally right (of course), isn't so sure.

Whad'ya reckon? Main or mizzen? I'll even entertain suggestions/criticism on how I am planning to make the steps too.

 

[Tradewinds]

We used rope & prussic knots to make our ratlines which got us just below the spreaders on the main mast - worked fine.

If it won't work at the mainmast I would guess mizzen is second best but should still be Ok - if you can stand on your spreaders there the extra height would be advantageous.

Enjoy your trip - some beautiful marsas & island anchorages to enjoy - & you'll be going in the right direction (unlike me who headed north)

 

[demonboy]

Hi Nigel, thanks for your comments. Your solution would be an even cheaper option that the wood, and a lot less hassle (once I teach myself the prussic knot!). How did you find climbing the rope though? Wasn't all rather wobbly?

 

[Tradewinds]

No it was surprisingly easy - but I was younger then /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.

Try it with some 6-8mm ends.

The early edition of the Red Sea Pilot showed an example & we copied that.

You really didn't have to go up massively far to pick out the bommies - but you do need the sun behind & at a reasonable elevation.

Happy days . . .

 

[demonboy]

Aha, that pic really helps, thank you. I noticed you doubled up most of them, probably makes sense. They look pretty smart too. I'm gonna try it myself.

Thanks for your time.

 

[demonboy]

Interestingly www.animatedknots.com recommends the Klemheist when the load is always in the same direction (I add this information in the thread not to sound smart but in case someone else is searching for the same solution). It looks a little easier to tie.

 

[misterg]

[ QUOTE ]
Interestingly www.animatedknots.com recommends the Klemheist when the load is always in the same direction....

[/ QUOTE ]

Beware that the Klemheist comes undone much more easily than the Prussik, which is an advantage when using it for ascending a rope, but may be a disadvantage in your application. You can snug a Prussik down quite nicely, and it will stay put (based on rope-climbing stuff, rather than making ratlines)

Andy

 

[demonboy]

Point taken.

 

[lesweeks]

Beg, steal or borrow Brion Toss' book ' The Complete Rigger's Apprentice' (got mine for New & Used at Amazon for very little £). He devotes nearly 8 pages to Rat lines and how to make 'em.
The whole book is a masterpiece as many will agree.

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

Ah yes Demonboy old Klemheist , I remember him well!!!

 

[demonboy]

Thanks for the heads-up, Les. Alas Amazon has it listed, second hand, at £31....SCRAP that...sorry, found the correct link.

One thing I can't get my head around is tying the Prusic knot at both ends. You can do the first end as you are using the bight. Once you've tied that end you've lost the bight so how does one then tie the other end to the other shroud? Any tips?

 

[Kelpie]

Hmm I was watching a video about knot tying and my brother, on asking what I was up to, was a bit perturbed when I said I was watching Brian toss.

/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[misterg]

[ QUOTE ]
so how does one then tie the other end to the other shroud? Any tips?

[/ QUOTE ]

Dunno, but I would try to re-create the knot by threading a rope end around the shroud in an "appropriate manner" /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I'm not sure if both ends of a Prussik knot need to be under tension - I think not.

Andy