Up the Mast!

surekandoo

Member
Joined
23 Feb 2002
Messages
493
Location
Home:Nottinghamshire Boat: Blackwater Marina, Esse
Visit site
I our hurry to launch the boat this year (trailer problems on the way down), we had to raise the mast in the berth on the mud, rather than on the trailer as normal.

I our haste I forgot to pop the windex in it's slot, so I've either got to sail without, drop the mast or climb the mast to fit it. I don't relish sailing without a windex for various reason which I won't bore you with.

The raising & lowering gear is on the trailer currently miles away so for me the only practical option is to climb the mast.

Has anyone used or does anyone know anything about those "ascenders" that rock climbers use? Are these a practical alternative to winch & bosun's chair?
 

Plum

Well-known member
Joined
6 Jun 2001
Messages
4,495
Location
UK East Coast
Visit site
I prefer a block and tackle which works well for me and I can share with you my method if you wish, but before you go any further, there may be other options.

You mentioned that you trail the boat so I guess she is of light displacement and maybe with a lifting keel. If I am right, have you considered careening the boat over? A regular event in the old days!. This is best done in a marina where you can attach a line from the hounds or masthead down to an adjacent pontoon and haul the boat over. If you have less than a 30% ballast ratio and the boat is less than 1.5 tonnes it will not take much pulling from the masthead to tip the boat over on her side. With a raised lifting keel it will be even easier. Obviously, you will need to take care of anything in the boat that will not like the severe angle of heel. In a marina you might find a friendy owner of a high sided gin-palace on which you can work from so you will only need to careen to a more modest angle. Is there a drying harbour near you with a high quayside you could work from??
 

Lakesailor

New member
Joined
15 Feb 2005
Messages
35,236
Location
Near Here
Visit site
Do what I did. Get some extending aluminium ladders (borrow, beg, already have some) hook a halyard to the top (Make a yoke if you want it steadier.) Hoist the ladder up the mast. Tie in the bottom. Nip up, do the job, nip down again. Sorted.
Have a mate or two handy in case something goes amiss.
 

squidge

New member
Joined
6 Jul 2002
Messages
784
Location
East coast
Visit site
Hi , we used to use the main uphaul to pull our Limbo over on the mud, not that we had to pull her far as they do sit at quite an angle when dry.As a fellow east coast sailor you have plenty of mud and saltings to work with just choose your spot and wait for the tide to do the work.
Rgds
 

snowleopard

Active member
Joined
16 May 2001
Messages
33,645
Location
Oxford
Visit site
I have a pair of ascenders. They do work but take a fair bit of practice, especially going down. I my climbing days we used prussik knots with loops - one for each foot and one round the chest - cheap as chips and it worked. Roger moore is seen using the technique in one of the bond films but he appears to do it a lot quicker than i could.
 

Joe_Cole

New member
Joined
14 Feb 2002
Messages
2,348
Visit site
Ascenders are far better than a winch and bosuns chair to get up the mast. As others have said going down is not so easy(but it does depend on the configuration), but it's just a matter of getting used to using the things. Going up is as easy as climbing stairs!
 

ColinR

Member
Joined
23 Oct 2001
Messages
583
www.victoriashadow.co.uk
I tried it and they are ok going up but a slog getting down as they grip the rope so tightly. It took me ages to get up and down the mast and would be impossible to do at sea. Also they are not cheap and not kind to your ropes. My rock climber friend who suggested them was very apologetic after he had a go. Try this mast ladder at http://www.hurst-marine.fsnet.co.uk/ its excellent and easy to use single handed.

Colin
 

ShipsWoofy

New member
Joined
10 Sep 2004
Messages
10,431
Visit site
I have this terrible vision of you having the boat leaning over and lashed to the pontoon / wall and screwing up the windex. The lashing gives and catapults your windex right across the harbour!

Not pretty,

just thought I would share. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 

Strathglass

New member
Joined
16 May 2001
Messages
2,197
Location
Fife
Visit site
I have a webbing rope ladder which slided tp the mast luff slot pulled by the main hailyard.
Easy to use, requires no specialist training, packs away small.
It can be used on masts up to 45 feet (if you are brave enough).
I know that this is no good for you at the wrong end of the country, but perhaps you could find one to borrow.

Iain
 

Lakesailor

New member
Joined
15 Feb 2005
Messages
35,236
Location
Near Here
Visit site
What have you all got against a nice sturdy ladder?
Fanny about with webbing ladders and ascenders, but they'll still have you flapping around in the breeze long after the ladder man is in the pub.
 

Strathglass

New member
Joined
16 May 2001
Messages
2,197
Location
Fife
Visit site
Don't really like using ladders.

I have spent the last week slating over the hole which was left in my roof after I removed a couple of chimneys.

As you can imagine I have had my fill of metal and wooden ladders.

I would feel happier on a webbing ladder with slugs holding it to the mast rather than a solid one from deck level tied to the mast.

Just my opinion of course.

Cheers

Iain
 

William_H

Well-known member
Joined
28 Jul 2003
Messages
13,947
Location
West Australia
Visit site
I think you will find that acending the mast on a small boat is bad news. The boat stability is lost and there will be some horrible rolling if not falling right over. Don't even cionsider it. Either lower the mast or heel the boat over to a high jetty or even to a step ladder. Olewill
 
Top