Securing deck light; remove spreader/dangle?

[pcatterall]

A deck light is hanging by its cable!
I thought it would be easier to fix if I was able to remove the spreader rather than 'dangle' around on the end of a rope.
I think I could safely loosen the stays then substitute a halyard for security while I did the work.
Is this ok or are you going to send me up the mast again. I suppose a secured ladder is possible but still awkward.
Thanks.

 

[srm]

Not quite sure what you intend as removing the spreader requires two trips up the mast, one to remove spreader and a second to refit spreader and reconnect the cable after securing the light.
However, if this is any help I replaced all the standing rigging on my current boat, double spreaders, twin headstays and twin bakstays. The boat was ashore in a secure cradle and I worked with the mast up. This mast is seriously overrigged so was secure. However, the shrouds ran through both spreaders, so both shrouds on one side had to be let go at the same time. I rigged the main halyard to the end of the boom and secured it down to the toe rail to give some support to the masthead while working. Also, my weight was kept to the side without shrouds so was supported by the rigging on the other side of the mast.
This worked well for me, but as said the boat was ashore so there were no dynamic loads due to rolling. If your boat is somewhere clear of wave motion / wash from passing boats you may get away with it.
In your situation I would prefer to do the work from a bosuns chair rather than risk removing the shrouds. Simply taking a halyard down to the toe rail will not provide much support for the mast head without some sort of spreader (hence my use of the boom) as the angle is too shallow and you will not be able to get sufficient tension.

 

[pcatterall]

Thanks srm. I can see that trying to drill holes and use rivet gun while hanging and spinning would be difficult while just pulling the spreader out of its socket and pushing it back afterwards would be a simple operation especially as I would be 'against' the mast. I guess, though, that with a secured ladder against the ladder ( and a lifeline) I would have something rigid to work from.
Thanks again

 

[srm]

I have drilled and riveted on a mast using a bosuns chair, all you need is a belt or line to put around the mast and your back to help wedge you in position against the mast and or rigging. Current boat is much easier to work on though, it came with mast steps.

 

[Boathook]

I have drilled and riveted on a mast using a bosuns chair, all you need is a belt or line to put around the mast and your back to help wedge you in position against the mast and or rigging. Current boat is much easier to work on though, it came with mast steps.

+1 though I did not have mast steps

 

[john_morris_uk]

I have drilled and riveted on a mast using a bosuns chair, all you need is a belt or line to put around the mast and your back to help wedge you in position against the mast and or rigging. Current boat is much easier to work on though, it came with mast steps.

I agree - that's how fitted mast steps all the way up our mast. Lazy tongs riveter too - but a line round the mast to brace against is essential.

I am not sure how removing the spreader is easier than repairing the deck light fitting whilst dangling from a bosuns chair. Both are not necessarily entirely straightforward jobs. Our spreaders are attached VERY FIRMLY to the shrouds and they've been like that since I re-rigged the boat five years ago. I don't fancy undoing those fastenings with the mast up one bit, but perhaps the OP's is different?